Hope someone can help. I have a set of GW lower control arms installed in my 67 camaro (finally). I also ordered a set of Bilstein's all around. Well, when it finally came time to install the front shocks, the lower two bolts on the shock are not lining up with the two holes on the control arms! I called GW and they said there should not be a problem and I called the Bilstein supplier and they confirmed I had the right shocks. I wanted to check my stock lower control arm width but I sold them last week.

Can anyone tell me the width from center to center of the two holes on the lower control arm (stock)? I know this is a lot to ask, just wanted to see if someone had an arm that may be out of a 67 somewhere. I want to check this against the measurements on the GW lower and the shock and hopefully see if it is as simple as replacing the shocks.

Thanks all.

Just measured what I have. The front shock mounting holes are 2 3/8" wide from center to center and the lower control arm holes are 2 5/8" from center to center! The bilsteins I have are BE3-2972. I'd sure appreciate anyone's help on this by giving me the measurement of a stock lower control arm shock mounting holes from center to center.
Thanks!

I measured mine and they are 2 3/8".

David, thank you very much. I knew I could count on someone here to help. Sounds like the next call is to Global West! Arrgh. I just had all this put together and dropped the engine/tranny in last week. Hate to take the control arm off now. Oh well.

HLSASS, can you report back on what GW tells you. I also have a set of new GW lower arms and Koni shocks ready to install this winter. I'll check them tonight, but I'm curious what they tell you. Thanks.

You might be able to slot the ends of the shock and use washers. GW sells the QA-1 shocks, and those have slotted ends and may work with wider bolt spacing. Maybe they can make you a deal on the shocks.

I measured my GW lower arms and they are also 2 5/8". I am using Koni shocks and they are already slotted, but look to be made for 2 3/8" mount width. I could use washers like davidp says, but my question is - since the shock mount is narrower, concievably the shock could move side to side (or in the direction of front to back of the car), is this possible or a potential problem??

DavidK

In talking with GW, their shock mount will not fit Bilsteins up front! It would have been nice to know up front. I can't die grinde the eyes of the shocks as there is not enough metal to work with. I called RCD and they are going to see if there is a mount that will fit on the bilsteins that will make this work.

GW said the QA1 and other shocks have a wider eye holes and should fit the control arms. The reason for the wider holes, according to them, is so the wider shock bodies and coil overs will fit into the center. I think this is an engineering issue they need to correct as lots of people seem to like the bilsteins and their control arm is no longer considered a direct bolt in.

In talking with GW, their shock mount will not fit Bilsteins up front! It would have been nice to know up front. I can't die grinde the eyes of the shocks as there is not enough metal to work with. I called RCD and they are going to see if there is a mount that will fit on the bilsteins that will make this work.

GW said the QA1 and other shocks have a wider eye holes and should fit the control arms. The reason for the wider holes, according to them, is so the wider shock bodies and coil overs will fit into the center. I think this is an engineering issue they need to correct as lots of people seem to like the bilsteins and their control arm is no longer considered a direct bolt in.

Wow!
Not good, Too bad they didn't mention that little fact.
David

Years ago when I had my old '63 Merc Meteor car! It's front shocks were a "ONE-YEAR ONLY" deal so I couldn't buy cheap, stock-type, over-the-counter shocks for it so I R&R'ed the bottom cross insert mounts from the old ones to the new ones. (Or was it the top location??)...

P'ed-me-O to no end b/c it took some time BUT did work fine

If this will help..

pdq67