Need a-arm front suspension help/suggestions after near miss

Kegracing · 09-12-2014, 05:56 PM

I have to redo the front suspension on my 67 Firebird stocker.

Had a really close call Sunday. Broke the top a arm on drivers side at finish line at 95 mph (1/8 mile). Folded wheel and was really wild ride getting stopped. Luckily I was in the right lane, and other car was faster. I ended up about a foot off the left wall.
Not sure what caused what yet. I have been gone with work all week, and have not gotten it apart. Guessing that it stripped or broke a bolt on starting line (pulls wheels about a foot in air), then upset it and twisted when I hit brakes at finish line. Top front was off, and bolt gone. Not sure if stripped, broke, or what. I did hit the brakes in lights, but only killed 1 mph, did NOT bomb the brakes.
I had made 11 passes on Saturday, and this was 3rd pass Sunday. I had looked over everything that morning, normal check engine bay, bounce front end, etc. Did not see anything loose or feel anything wrong. Car 60' was within thousandths all weekend, including that pass... I had original a arms with urethane bushings and Moroso springs.

So, after all that, I need to fix my car. Know the top a arm is bent, brake line is cut, and front tire is trash. Not sure about lower arm, spindle, brakes, wheel, etc.
I have searched the archived files and found some stuff. Just want to hear more.

I know everyone says they dont want your speed secrets, etc. I DO!

I want to fix this right, and with all the work to go all the way down to bare and fix everything, I want options on how "right" I make it. Car worked good, but could have been better. Are aftermarket original style a-arms any good, or do I want to find some used originals? What shafts - adjustable top shafts? What bushings? What ball joints - 1/2" longer? What does the extra 1/2" do for us? What spring? Had small block Moroso's with 3/4 coil cut. Car pretty much set down on arms, or could be pushed down by hand. Could lift front end 8-10 inches by hand before. Has Calvert front shocks on it. Will keep my crate motor in it for now, but still want to put my Pontiac 400 in it one of these days... maybe with a 4 speed.

Give me some options please. PM me or email if you prefer. Kegracing@yahoo.com

thanks in advance
Ken Graham
Stock 412.

tj310 · 09-12-2014, 08:00 PM

Did you have a stack of shims under the bolt that fell out ? Did you use a locknut ? ---Trevor

Kegracing · 09-12-2014, 08:35 PM

Those bolts are ok. The front end of top a arm bushing bolt either broke, stripped or backed out, and bushing was gone. Allowed the a arm to rotate off shaft. Did not find the bolt, and have not taken everything apart yet to be sure.
I had factory end bolt type setup. Had bolts match marked for easy visual check. Did not notice them lose or moved, but can not be sure.
Here is a picture of the a arm, after I got car back in the trailer... Up on a jack now, but was pulled out when car got stopped. Back of arm is bent around, could not slide the arm back on end of the shaft.

Alan Nyhus · 09-12-2014, 09:47 PM

Glad you're not hurt and the damage isn't too severe.

The factory bolts are known for working themselves loose. When redoing the front end on my Nova stocker last Winter, I used these Moog offset control arm shafts and Energy Suspension urethane bushings. They have a large diameter stud and lock nut in place of the small factory bolt.

Global West makes a great setup and Afco has greaseable steel control arm bushings.

Kegracing · 09-12-2014, 10:59 PM

Thanks Alan.
Great picture and exactly the type of info I am looking for. What/how much did you gain from the offset shafts? I am thinking about the offset shafts and longer ball joints. Just not sure if I really need them or not. Not sure what gains they will give me.
thanks again,

Ken

Alan Nyhus · 09-13-2014, 06:26 AM

Ken, not sure what I gained. I'd just got the car and redid the entire front suspension. The offset shafts help, as front subframes sag over time. They will also allow your alignment guy to give you more caster, which makes the car want to go straighter. There's all types of ball joints out there. I used standard length units and mounted them on the bottom of the contol arm rather than through the top to effectively pick up some length.

If you search under the 'Tech' section, there's been some good threads there, also.

Hope this helps...... -Al

Alan Roehrich · 09-13-2014, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kegracing

Thanks Alan.
Great picture and exactly the type of info I am looking for. What/how much did you gain from the offset shafts? I am thinking about the offset shafts and longer ball joints. Just not sure if I really need them or not. Not sure what gains they will give me.
thanks again,

Ken

I would strongly suggest the offset upper shafts and at least +0.500" upper ball joints for a stock front suspension 1st or 2nd generation F or X body. It will allow you to get enough caster to make the car go straight, and it will allow you to reduce camber change which helps with several other problems. The delrin/aluminum bushings that have grease fittings are the way to go. The bump steer kits are also legal now.

cad · 09-23-2014, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

I used these Moog offset control arm shafts and Energy Suspension urethane bushings. They have a large diameter stud and lock nut in place of the small factory bolt.
[/URL] Global West makes a great setup and Afco has greaseable steel control arm bushings.

Alan,
Which part number did you use? K5250? Jegs is not model specific enough to be certain.

Thanks
Clark

Alan Nyhus · 09-23-2014, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cad

Alan,
Which part number did you use? K5250? Jegs is not model specific enough to be certain.
Thanks
Clark

Yes, pn# K5250. -Al

09-12-2014, 05:56 PM	#1
Kegracing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Red Oak, TX Posts: 441 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Need a-arm front suspension help/suggestions after near miss I have to redo the front suspension on my 67 Firebird stocker. Had a really close call Sunday. Broke the top a arm on drivers side at finish line at 95 mph (1/8 mile). Folded wheel and was really wild ride getting stopped. Luckily I was in the right lane, and other car was faster. I ended up about a foot off the left wall. Not sure what caused what yet. I have been gone with work all week, and have not gotten it apart. Guessing that it stripped or broke a bolt on starting line (pulls wheels about a foot in air), then upset it and twisted when I hit brakes at finish line. Top front was off, and bolt gone. Not sure if stripped, broke, or what. I did hit the brakes in lights, but only killed 1 mph, did NOT bomb the brakes. I had made 11 passes on Saturday, and this was 3rd pass Sunday. I had looked over everything that morning, normal check engine bay, bounce front end, etc. Did not see anything loose or feel anything wrong. Car 60' was within thousandths all weekend, including that pass... I had original a arms with urethane bushings and Moroso springs. So, after all that, I need to fix my car. Know the top a arm is bent, brake line is cut, and front tire is trash. Not sure about lower arm, spindle, brakes, wheel, etc. I have searched the archived files and found some stuff. Just want to hear more. I know everyone says they dont want your speed secrets, etc. I DO! I want to fix this right, and with all the work to go all the way down to bare and fix everything, I want options on how "right" I make it. Car worked good, but could have been better. Are aftermarket original style a-arms any good, or do I want to find some used originals? What shafts - adjustable top shafts? What bushings? What ball joints - 1/2" longer? What does the extra 1/2" do for us? What spring? Had small block Moroso's with 3/4 coil cut. Car pretty much set down on arms, or could be pushed down by hand. Could lift front end 8-10 inches by hand before. Has Calvert front shocks on it. Will keep my crate motor in it for now, but still want to put my Pontiac 400 in it one of these days... maybe with a 4 speed. Give me some options please. PM me or email if you prefer. Kegracing@yahoo.com thanks in advance Ken Graham Stock 412.

09-12-2014, 08:00 PM	#2
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need a-arm front suspension help/suggestions after near Did you have a stack of shims under the bolt that fell out ? Did you use a locknut ? ---Trevor

09-12-2014, 08:35 PM	#3
Kegracing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Red Oak, TX Posts: 441 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need a-arm front suspension help/suggestions after near Those bolts are ok. The front end of top a arm bushing bolt either broke, stripped or backed out, and bushing was gone. Allowed the a arm to rotate off shaft. Did not find the bolt, and have not taken everything apart yet to be sure. I had factory end bolt type setup. Had bolts match marked for easy visual check. Did not notice them lose or moved, but can not be sure. Here is a picture of the a arm, after I got car back in the trailer... Up on a jack now, but was pulled out when car got stopped. Back of arm is bent around, could not slide the arm back on end of the shaft. Attached Thumbnails

09-12-2014, 09:47 PM	#4
Alan Nyhus VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lower Dakota territory Posts: 1,180 Likes: 1,074 Liked 799 Times in 236 Posts	Re: Need a-arm front suspension help/suggestions after near Glad you're not hurt and the damage isn't too severe. The factory bolts are known for working themselves loose. When redoing the front end on my Nova stocker last Winter, I used these Moog offset control arm shafts and Energy Suspension urethane bushings. They have a large diameter stud and lock nut in place of the small factory bolt. Global West makes a great setup and Afco has greaseable steel control arm bushings. __________________ "That'll never work....."

09-12-2014, 10:59 PM	#5
Kegracing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Red Oak, TX Posts: 441 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need a-arm front suspension help/suggestions after near Thanks Alan. Great picture and exactly the type of info I am looking for. What/how much did you gain from the offset shafts? I am thinking about the offset shafts and longer ball joints. Just not sure if I really need them or not. Not sure what gains they will give me. thanks again, Ken

09-13-2014, 06:26 AM	#6
Alan Nyhus VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lower Dakota territory Posts: 1,180 Likes: 1,074 Liked 799 Times in 236 Posts	Re: Need a-arm front suspension help/suggestions after near Ken, not sure what I gained. I'd just got the car and redid the entire front suspension. The offset shafts help, as front subframes sag over time. They will also allow your alignment guy to give you more caster, which makes the car want to go straighter. There's all types of ball joints out there. I used standard length units and mounted them on the bottom of the contol arm rather than through the top to effectively pick up some length. If you search under the 'Tech' section, there's been some good threads there, also. Hope this helps...... -Al __________________ "That'll never work....."