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

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.

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

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

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

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

oops, no. Pretty much anything goes in SS.

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

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.

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

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/

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

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Also there are braces that connect the upper and lower front mounts.

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Do you know who makes those Jody? Those are a solution also.

#5457

Curt Rees

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Curt, this is one link to the G-body braces:

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...roducts_id=350

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Dave,

Thanks for the information. That is the product I am looking for.

#5457

Curt Rees

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Curt,

Which motor and class are you running?

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

I run a 283 with a PG. GT/MA. If I weighed what I should, I could run GT/LA.

The car is not tubbed and has the basic stock style suspension with a 9" tire. I am not going to change it because the car can run several different classes of stock with 138, 140 or 180 hp 307 Olds. Change the front to an '84 and it could also run the 305 Chevy.

As long as I can run the # I am happy. Probably will go to a 3 speed trans next year, either a turbo or a metric. Unless I can get my old '66 Bel Air back, then it would be a whole new ballgame.

Parts are odered. Control arms braces and new lower control arms. Just as well do it right!

#5457

Curt Rees

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Curt,
I noticed you are running a 12-Bolt rear end. Has the 12-Bolt been modified or did you just bolted the rear end from another car?
The upper mounts on a GM 12-Bolt have a different location to the rear ends used in G-Bodies.
There are kits available for the 12-Bolt swap on G-Bodies from various companies such as UMI Performance and others.

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...products_id=76

http://www.maliburacing.com/iceman/G...%20uppers.html

http://www.maliburacing.com/tech_rearend_swaps.html

http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/kits/chevy.htm

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

The 12 bolt was in the car when I purchased it. The only changes I did to it were the upper control arms and added a sway bar.

Everything installed the way it should. So any modifications were done before I bought it.

It may well have been an aftermarket housing. I did not ask the previous owner.

Thanks

#5457

Curt Rees

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Billy,

The guru that you are, you were right on! The driver's side axle tube twisted in the housing. "Christine" will not be dancing anymore this year. The rear end is coming out and going to be completely rebuilt. I guess I will take the '96 Caprice LT 1 down to Thunder Valley and out to Oahe and run for a street trophy during the Midwest Class Racers show at both tracks coming up.

At least I will get to run something! If it goes down the track, it will break, not a matter of if, but when!

#5457

Curt Rees

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

I use Dick Miller products.

Have the upper and lower arm Brace to prevent cracking the suspension joints.

D

Re: Another Rear Suspension Issue
 

Dan,

I have the braces and new lower control arms. Those will be installed when the rear end goes back in.

I had already replaced the upper control arms. Once the rear end is repaired, should be no more problems there.

#5457

Curt Rees