Another Rear Suspension Issue

Curt Rees · 08-11-2013, 02:29 PM

I had some misfortune at the Cedar Falls race track on Saturday. The 2nd pass of qualifications, the rear end in my G body '88 Olds shifted, ruining the driver's side slick and ending my racing for the weekend.

I run a 12 bolt, Moroso springs, air bags, sway bar, adjustable upper control arms and stock lower. I looked the car over today and can not see any physical damage or changes in the rear end mounts or adjustments. But, something happened.

I do not want to cut the car and want to keep the 12 bolt and run the 9" Hoosier radials. What would be a good replacement for the stock lower control arms? Something adjustable if that is possible.

I just want to add the Cedar Falls track was excellent! Well run, on time and there was no problem with hooking. 55 cars qualified on Sat. The associations did a good job putting the event together!

Thanks

#5457

Curt Rees

Billy Nees · 08-11-2013, 02:39 PM

Hi Curt, you can replace the stock lower arm but not with an adjustable one. Although I have never seen it happen on a G-Body rear, check and make sure that you didn't twist an axle tube in the housing. That's about the only thing that I can think of that might not be noticable right away.

Curt Rees · 08-11-2013, 02:45 PM

Billy,

I need to get it up on a hoist. I just eye balled it today on jack stands. A twisted axle tube is a very good possibility!

Thanks,

#5457

Curt Rees

Tom Moock · 08-11-2013, 07:07 PM

Billy, Curt cutlass run`s in superstock, Are the rules the same for control arms, stock and superstock? Tom

Billy Nees · 08-11-2013, 08:11 PM

oops, no. Pretty much anything goes in SS.

2021STK · 08-11-2013, 11:08 PM

Check upper control arm jamb nuts. I had one back off a few years ago and it caused same problem.

Good luck

Jim Kaekel · 08-12-2013, 08:36 AM

Here's something else to check. The front mounting point for the lower control arm can tear loose from the frame on occasion. As far as parts, Dick Miller Racing, HR Parts 'n' Stuff and QA1 has some of the best stuff available.

Curt Rees · 08-12-2013, 08:52 AM

I think you are correct Jim. More then likely, the driver's side lower control arm front mount in the frame rail broke and let the arm slide forward.

I will know tonight. Thanks for the tip on the kits. "Christine" may live again!

#5457

Curt Rees

Jim Kaekel · 08-12-2013, 10:13 AM

If that's the case, HR has what they call "frame braces" that weld to the front lower control arm mounting point to strengthen it. I think they offer them for "A" and "G" bodies.

http://hrpartsandstuff.com/

Curt Rees · 08-12-2013, 12:16 PM

The driver's side lower control arm front mount cracked at the welds allowing the rear end to move forward. The car is scheduled to go on the frame rack later this week to have the problem taken care of.

HR does make the needed braces for the "G" body mounts. Sounds like it is a common problem, especially on the Buick GN's.

Thanks for the responses! "Christine" should be ready to run again shortly.

Thanks

#5457

Curt Rees

08-11-2013, 02:29 PM	#1
Curt Rees Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ft. Pierre, SD Posts: 353 Likes: 321 Liked 227 Times in 48 Posts	Another Rear Suspension Issue I had some misfortune at the Cedar Falls race track on Saturday. The 2nd pass of qualifications, the rear end in my G body '88 Olds shifted, ruining the driver's side slick and ending my racing for the weekend. I run a 12 bolt, Moroso springs, air bags, sway bar, adjustable upper control arms and stock lower. I looked the car over today and can not see any physical damage or changes in the rear end mounts or adjustments. But, something happened. I do not want to cut the car and want to keep the 12 bolt and run the 9" Hoosier radials. What would be a good replacement for the stock lower control arms? Something adjustable if that is possible. I just want to add the Cedar Falls track was excellent! Well run, on time and there was no problem with hooking. 55 cars qualified on Sat. The associations did a good job putting the event together! Thanks #5457 Curt Rees __________________ Curt Rees 5457 SS

08-11-2013, 02:39 PM	#2
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,243 Likes: 3,139 Liked 6,868 Times in 1,541 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue Hi Curt, you can replace the stock lower arm but not with an adjustable one. Although I have never seen it happen on a G-Body rear, check and make sure that you didn't twist an axle tube in the housing. That's about the only thing that I can think of that might not be noticable right away. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS Reality, what a concept!

08-11-2013, 02:45 PM	#3
Curt Rees Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ft. Pierre, SD Posts: 353 Likes: 321 Liked 227 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue Billy, I need to get it up on a hoist. I just eye balled it today on jack stands. A twisted axle tube is a very good possibility! Thanks, #5457 Curt Rees __________________ Curt Rees 5457 SS

08-11-2013, 07:07 PM	#4
Tom Moock Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 801 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue Billy, Curt cutlass run`s in superstock, Are the rules the same for control arms, stock and superstock? Tom __________________ Tom Moock 5704 STK

08-11-2013, 11:08 PM	#6
2021STK Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 281 Likes: 275 Liked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue Check upper control arm jamb nuts. I had one back off a few years ago and it caused same problem. Good luck __________________ Dave Outten 2222 S/SS/SST/SG/HR 2021 S 1968 SS 1969 SR 1966 1990 Bracket

08-11-2013, 08:11 PM	#5
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,243 Likes: 3,139 Liked 6,868 Times in 1,541 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue oops, no. Pretty much anything goes in SS. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS Reality, what a concept!

08-12-2013, 08:36 AM	#7
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,222 Likes: 134 Liked 498 Times in 104 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue Here's something else to check. The front mounting point for the lower control arm can tear loose from the frame on occasion. As far as parts, Dick Miller Racing, HR Parts 'n' Stuff and QA1 has some of the best stuff available. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

08-12-2013, 08:52 AM	#8
Curt Rees Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ft. Pierre, SD Posts: 353 Likes: 321 Liked 227 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue I think you are correct Jim. More then likely, the driver's side lower control arm front mount in the frame rail broke and let the arm slide forward. I will know tonight. Thanks for the tip on the kits. "Christine" may live again! #5457 Curt Rees __________________ Curt Rees 5457 SS

08-12-2013, 10:13 AM	#9
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,222 Likes: 134 Liked 498 Times in 104 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue If that's the case, HR has what they call "frame braces" that weld to the front lower control arm mounting point to strengthen it. I think they offer them for "A" and "G" bodies. http://hrpartsandstuff.com/ __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

08-12-2013, 12:16 PM	#10
Curt Rees Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ft. Pierre, SD Posts: 353 Likes: 321 Liked 227 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue The driver's side lower control arm front mount cracked at the welds allowing the rear end to move forward. The car is scheduled to go on the frame rack later this week to have the problem taken care of. HR does make the needed braces for the "G" body mounts. Sounds like it is a common problem, especially on the Buick GN's. Thanks for the responses! "Christine" should be ready to run again shortly. Thanks #5457 Curt Rees __________________ Curt Rees 5457 SS