1972 lower control arm upgrade
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
1972 lower control arm upgrade
Hello, it has been many years since I have reached out for advice. I have been running adjustable upper control arms on my 72 and standard lower control arms. Twice now my lower control arm end cap has fallen out and the bushing is gone. I'm guessing I should upgrade to tubular lower control arms with QA1 coil-over shocks. What do you think? What's out there that can make my front end stable for more than 5000 miles?
I do not auto-cross or race my vette even though it looks like I should
It's a cruiser that needs a better option.
Appreciate all responses and if you have lower control arms with single or double adjustable shocks please let me know.
Thanks
Jim
I do not auto-cross or race my vette even though it looks like I should
It's a cruiser that needs a better option.Appreciate all responses and if you have lower control arms with single or double adjustable shocks please let me know.
Thanks
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,239
Likes: 1,010
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Global West coilover lower arms. Have them and love them. I am using the extended travel version for a little more shock travel. Using the Ridetech double adjustable coilovers with them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,930
Likes: 842
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,331
Likes: 8,139
From: Napa Valley California
Van Steel makes upper and lower tubular control arms, in coil over and semi coil over, set up for single and double adjustable QA1 shocks.
Contact Dan or Eric and they will set you up with the proper spring rates and shocks for your driving style.
They will take the guess work out of it for you and you’ll be very pleased with their customer service.
I’ve purchased all my new suspension from Van Steel and could not be happier.
I went with single adjustable QA1’s on mine, saved some money and on a street driven car that’s what Dan suggested.
Contact Dan or Eric and they will set you up with the proper spring rates and shocks for your driving style.
They will take the guess work out of it for you and you’ll be very pleased with their customer service.
I’ve purchased all my new suspension from Van Steel and could not be happier.
I went with single adjustable QA1’s on mine, saved some money and on a street driven car that’s what Dan suggested.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
Doing some research on those, I like the extended travel arms. Not sure if I want the double adjustable coil-over shocks since my car is just a cruiser. More than likely going with a single adjustable.
Thank You for your feedback
Thank You for your feedback
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
OldCarBum, Van Steel is why I'm in his mess. bought two different sets of rebuilt standard lower a-arms and both times the bushings fall apart and the bolts come out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 1,245
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Those bolts have to be very tight and tightened when there is weight on the suspension. If you tighten them when the car is in the air , they will fail early. It rips the bushing right up.
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,035
Likes: 4,389
From: Marlton NJ
What Pop chevy said about the rubber ones is true. The rubber available these days does not hold up like OEM ones did anyway.
But if you have poly ones, the above does not apply, but they still use the OEM outer bolt, which must be red-loctited, and even then they sometimes come loose.
The Del-A-Lums use nut & cotter pin, and will never come loose.
But if you have poly ones, the above does not apply, but they still use the OEM outer bolt, which must be red-loctited, and even then they sometimes come loose.
The Del-A-Lums use nut & cotter pin, and will never come loose.
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