'69 lower control arm dimensions
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 13
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'69 lower control arm dimensions
I'm in the middle of my first '69 total frame off resto. Does anyone know the correct geometric dimensions of the stock lower control arms? After removing the bushings in one arm I noticed that the control arm mount bracket would not slide out of the arm because it's too long to clear the space between the holes in the arm. Thinking this isn't right because Chevy had to slide it in after the arm was stamped, I measured the distance between the holes in the arms from both left and right arms and noticed that they're almost a quarter inch different (~12" vs `12 3/16"). I'm wondering if both arms were "squeezed" by someone overtorquing the mounts previously or is this just as consistent as Chevy could make them? I'm thinking the former given the shafts have to be able to come out if they're to be replaced. Another point to mention is the car was involved in a pretty serious front end collision so I'm guessing that bent arms could also be a possibility.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
figured it out
after spending some additional time searching other threads I stumbled across some advice indicating I wasn't using an adequately weighted hammer. With a little extra perseverance and hammer weight, I was able to dislodge the metal bushing sleeves from the lower arms. Not an easy job I must say. Now onto number two...
