Another Rear Suspension Issue

[Jody Lang]

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

[Curt Rees]

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

#5457

Curt Rees

[2021STK]

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

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

[Curt Rees]

Dave,

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

#5457

Curt Rees

[ss wannabee]

Curt,

Which motor and class are you running?

[Curt Rees]

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

[SSDiv6]

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

[Curt Rees]

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

[Curt Rees]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

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,

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

[Dan Fahey]

I use Dick Miller products.

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

D