control arm interchange
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
control arm interchange
I have discovered a crack in my drivers side lower control arm at the leading edge going towards the spring pocket. It has lowered that wheel about an inch and is growing fast and I parked my vette until I can replace it. I contemplated welding it, but not thinking that's a wise choice and I'm surely not getting a core return if I buy from a vender. What year control arms are direct bolt in? I am ordering a suspension kit next week so good timing on pulling it out. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
'68-'82 are the same. You can find them on eBay for as low as $25 an arm most of the time. I just checked and $99 was the lowest price at this time. Plenty available.
Last edited by Street Rat; Mar 5, 2013 at 07:44 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,639
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From: Shamong, NJ
Though there may be some very minor differences, on some of the a-arms used on early mid-years, all 63-82 arms are interchangeable.
$125 seems a bit strong to me. You can get re-built ones; already blasted, painted, and with new bushings and ball joints installed, for around $175 exchange.
The rebuilders usually pay $50-$75 for cores, so you really shouldn't give much more for a-arms either.
$125 seems a bit strong to me. You can get re-built ones; already blasted, painted, and with new bushings and ball joints installed, for around $175 exchange.
The rebuilders usually pay $50-$75 for cores, so you really shouldn't give much more for a-arms either.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
If I thought they would give me core credit for a cracked and now bending arm, I would just save myself the trouble and get a refurb arm. I doubt they would consider a cracked arm to be rebuildable. I really wanna know what kind of bo duke action caused it to crack, and kind of glad my car can't talk.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
Thanks mike, that's advice I often forget. I did get my plug wires cheaper when I ordered them for an hei truck. They fit and function fine. People hear corvette and dollar signs start blinking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Mike you are right and beat me to it. I remember reading that GM, to save money after spending a fortune on making the IRS on the 63, took the A- arms off of a full size chevrolet, but put the left on the right side, ect. The arms went forward on the full size car, and ours point to the rear. I think that this is in the book, Corvette: America's Star-Spangled Sports Car, by Karl Ludvigsen. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Mar 6, 2013 at 08:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,639
Likes: 3,102
From: Shamong, NJ
I don't believe that the Corvette arms, are interchangeable, with any of the passenger car ones. The Corvette stampings look similar to the full size 58-64 arms, but I think the placement of sway bar brackets and the stops are different.
The part numbers for the Corvette upper and lower arms, are different than any of the passenger car ones, that I can find.
The part numbers for the Corvette upper and lower arms, are different than any of the passenger car ones, that I can find.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
I also couldn't find any interchange info. I figured the sway bar would be the difference anyhow. I do wish we had a more affordable tubular arm setup available. I am contemplating buying all four arms, rebuilding them, then swapping mine out and selling them off. That would give me less downtime.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I'd check vendors like Willcox, VanSteel, and ZipCorvette before buying an old control arm. For not much more $ (like $20) you can get a new or reconditioned arm with the crossbrace and new bushings.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 518
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From: Oldsmar FL
Saw your thread today, and I took my control arms off my '79 a couple years ago, replaced with vbp suspension pkg + and aluminum uppers. The car had about 54k miles on it when I took them off.
The arms are in the attic collecting dust and if you would like them you can get them all or just what you need for the price of shipping. I live in the Tampa Bay area so shipping shouldn't be that bad.
The arms are in the attic collecting dust and if you would like them you can get them all or just what you need for the price of shipping. I live in the Tampa Bay area so shipping shouldn't be that bad.