[HvyMetal68]

After reading through lots of discussions in the archives on replacing with a-arm tubular kits vs rebuilding my front suspension I decided on rebuilding using the existing control arms, delrin bushings, proforged ball joints, including the .5" taller top ball joint, Eaton springs and Bilstein shocks. However, I just got the lower arm out and it looks like this:

Someone clearly enlarged the lower spring pocket and I suspect it was to fit in the giant 'Bruiser Gas XD' shocks that came out:

It seems unwise to put these lower arms back in. But if it's really not a problem let me know.

If I have to buy new lower arms anyway, is it worth backtracking and reconsidering a full tubular kit? Is picking up just tubular lowers a good idea? Is there a good source of quality stamped steel arms?

Thanks for any advice or recommendations. If there are brands of a-arms to avoid that would be good to know too.

Kris

 

[dhutton]

Those arms are fine imho. The shock isn’t supporting the vehicle.

Don

 

[KevinW]

It's just metal Just weld in a patch to make it solid to help support the shock & spring IMO. Good thing they did not cut too far into it

 

[HvyMetal68]

Those arms are fine imho. The shock isn’t supporting the vehicle.

What seems like a fair bit of the bearing surface of the coil is also missing. I thought that, along with any other weaknesses the cutting might have introduced, would be the problem. If it's not a problem though I'll carry on.

 

[fairfax1000]

After reading through lots of discussions in the archives on replacing with a-arm tubular kits vs rebuilding my front suspension I decided on rebuilding using the existing control arms, delrin bushings, proforged ball joints, including the .5" taller top ball joint, Eaton springs and Bilstein shocks. However, I just got the lower arm out and it looks like this:

View attachment 293776

Someone clearly enlarged the lower spring pocket and I suspect it was to fit in the giant 'Bruiser Gas XD' shocks that came out:

View attachment 293775

It seems unwise to put these lower arms back in. But if it's really not a problem let me know.

If I have to buy new lower arms anyway, is it worth backtracking and reconsidering a full tubular kit? Is picking up just tubular lowers a good idea? Is there a good source of quality stamped steel arms?

Thanks for any advice or recommendations. If there are brands of a-arms to avoid that would be good to know too.

Kris

I wouldn’t use that one, because it’s missing structural integrity.

 

[StevieBB54]

Im going to be buying tubular arms next week, my lower arms are in excellent condition from what I can see before removing them. Has newer ball joints that are still tight. Not sure where youre located I could sell/ship them. But I wasnt planning to pull them out right away.

 

[HvyMetal68]

Im going to be buying tubular arms next week, my lower arms are in excellent condition from what I can see before removing them. Has newer ball joints that are still tight. Not sure where youre located I could sell/ship them. But I wasnt planning to pull them out right away.

I'll send you a PM.

 

[X-77 keith]

Those arms are a dime a dozen. Rear steer 3rd gen nova are the same too. Just replace them.

 

[scblucam]

After reading through lots of discussions in the archives on replacing with a-arm tubular kits vs rebuilding my front suspension I decided on rebuilding using the existing control arms, delrin bushings, proforged ball joints, including the .5" taller top ball joint, Eaton springs and Bilstein shocks. However, I just got the lower arm out and it looks like this:

View attachment 293776

Someone clearly enlarged the lower spring pocket and I suspect it was to fit in the giant 'Bruiser Gas XD' shocks that came out:

View attachment 293775

It seems unwise to put these lower arms back in. But if it's really not a problem let me know.

If I have to buy new lower arms anyway, is it worth backtracking and reconsidering a full tubular kit? Is picking up just tubular lowers a good idea? Is there a good source of quality stamped steel arms?

Thanks for any advice or recommendations. If there are brands of a-arms to avoid that would be good to know too.

Kris

After reading through lots of discussions in the archives on replacing with a-arm tubular kits vs rebuilding my front suspension I decided on rebuilding using the existing control arms, delrin bushings, proforged ball joints, including the .5" taller top ball joint, Eaton springs and Bilstein shocks. However, I just got the lower arm out and it looks like this:

View attachment 293776

Someone clearly enlarged the lower spring pocket and I suspect it was to fit in the giant 'Bruiser Gas XD' shocks that came out:

View attachment 293775

It seems unwise to put these lower arms back in. But if it's really not a problem let me know.

If I have to buy new lower arms anyway, is it worth backtracking and reconsidering a full tubular kit? Is picking up just tubular lowers a good idea? Is there a good source of quality stamped steel arms?

Thanks for any advice or recommendations. If there are brands of a-arms to avoid that would be good to know too.

Kris

Where are you? I am pretty sure I have a set of lowers in good shape except for one ball joint that will not accept grease, not old just accidently crushed with a jack. That said you will be pleased with the tubulars.

 

[HvyMetal68]

Where are you? I am pretty sure I have a set of lowers in good shape except for one ball joint that will not accept grease, not old just accidently crushed with a jack. That said you will be pleased with the tubulars.

I'm a little north of Denver.

This morning I had myself talked into tubulars, then I put a query out to the local junkyard to see if they've got anything. Unfortunately, they're not open on Mondays so I'll have to wait to hear from them.

 

[scblucam]

I'm a little north of Denver.

This morning I had myself talked into tubulars, then I put a query out to the local junkyard to see if they've got anything. Unfortunately, they're not open on Mondays so I'll have to wait to hear from them.

Unfortunately, I am in Houston. Spent two weeks up there with two friends on Motorcycles in 1982. Blast. When we passed though Denver looked kind of dirty but from a distance, we pulled in to Boulder then branched from there. If you decide not to go with tubes the set I have is currently not going anywhere. But I am happy with my GW tubes and QA1 CO's. When I sold the uppers I think shipping was about $100 but memory has faded. Or come get them but Texas is HOT right now. Maybe rain on Thursday. Let me know.

 

[HvyMetal68]

Unfortunately, I am in Houston. Spent two weeks up there with two friends on Motorcycles in 1982. Blast. When we passed though Denver looked kind of dirty but from a distance, we pulled in to Boulder then branched from there. If you decide not to go with tubes the set I have is currently not going anywhere. But I am happy with my GW tubes and QA1 CO's. When I sold the uppers I think shipping was about $100 but memory has faded. Or come get them but Texas is HOT right now. Maybe rain on Thursday. Let me know.

I won't be able to work on it for the next week anyway so that'll give me some time to think it over.

 

[scblucam]

I won't be able to work on it for the next week anyway so that'll give me some time to think it over.

Not going anywhere.