LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Front Control Arms

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Old 01-11-2012, 03:02 PM
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Default Front Control Arms

Anybody know where I can get some replacement A-arms for the front end? Ball joints that come pre-installed would be a welcomed bonus.

Thanks!
Old 01-11-2012, 03:26 PM
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http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...Path=7_137_103
Old 01-11-2012, 03:31 PM
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All our a-arms come with ball joints installed and ready to go. Here is a quick link to both our regular tubular a-arms and our 1" lowering a-arms.

AA002 - Tubular lower a-arms

AA020 - 1" Lowering tubular a-arms

If you have any questions let me know and I will answer them.


Kyle
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Old 01-11-2012, 03:45 PM
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Is there an OEM replacement option? Money is tight!
Old 01-11-2012, 03:48 PM
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if money is tight do bushings and ball joints. Are you sure the ball joints are bad and not just the upper and lower bushing. Did you check the ball joints with the jack under the control arm?
Old 01-11-2012, 03:54 PM
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Yes both bushings and joints are bad, it's not in the budget to upgrade the arms so you're saying I'm better off just replacing those?
Old 01-11-2012, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by earlz28
Yes both bushings and joints are bad, it's not in the budget to upgrade the arms so you're saying I'm better off just replacing those?
Unless you can find a set of a-arms at your local junkyard your best bet is going to be to replace the bushings and ball joints in your current a-arms. Both Prothan and Energy Suspension makes replacement bushings and you can get a ball joint from your local auto parts place.
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Old 01-12-2012, 09:14 PM
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Thanks fellas
Old 01-13-2012, 09:26 AM
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Unless you are looking for more road vibrations to be transfered into the steering wheel and the car, stick with the stock style replacment rubber bushings. I have pollys and I hate them. Usless unless you are racing. And by the way Stay the freak away from the TRW ball joints. Go with moog. TRW lower ball joints screewed up both front lower control arms when I had a guy at the local Chevy dealer try to press them in. Turns out that even thought they make what is called an oversized lower ball joint, even the "standard Size" is over sized and he ended up bending both lower control arms. Buy Moog or the Napa quality brands to replace that stuff. I had to replace both lower control arms due to TRW's lower ball joints being to big to fit the socket.
Old 01-13-2012, 09:32 AM
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Thanks for that additional info Jaycenk, I went to my advance auto and got moog prices on everything.
Old 01-13-2012, 05:39 PM
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Old trick you could try IF you are doing the lower ball joints you self is to freeze the ball joint and heat the control arm socket and see if they will drop in. I am not sure I would recomend using a press while the control arm is heated since there seems to be a risk of bending them. You might get luckey and it may drop in or be able to be taped in with a rubber malet.
If you do them your self you Might want to get some advise from any members here that have done them their selves. I bought replacments for the replacments at napa as well as new stock control arms and the guy at the chevy dealer said they went in easier this time when he pressed them in.
Old 01-13-2012, 07:38 PM
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Find a shop that does suspension work and have them press in the bushings and ball joints.

The forward bushings must be pressed into the same depth as the original. IOW, if the bushing is pressed until it's flange is up against the control arm, you've gone too far.
Old 01-13-2012, 08:27 PM
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I wasn't going to press them myself but Ill be sure to pass this advice on to whoever will be assisting me, thanks



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