vette75406

I'm new to the forum but long time owner, I have a 75 with a lh lower control arm bracket that is breaking off . it is split and cracked and the spot welds have failed . It had a botched repair in the past which prevented correct alignment and has now failed and the frame is cracking around the repair , I want to remove the old repair and do it right .I would like to replace the lower a-arm bracket with a new one does anybody make a new part , that I can buy or do I have to find a good used one. I really liked the repairs that Norval did to his frame and want to copy them. Thanks in advance for any help that you might give , vette75406

NHvette

I just finished up all that frame strengthening. I've never seen these brackets
for sale, but they may be out there. It might be tough to buy one used.

The best bet - in my mind - is to make one out of 1/8" steel. Then, gusset the crap out of them.

Oh - and a spreader bar up top ... on my list of things to buy.

:seeya

73'Vette

Hello, and welcome to the forum!
Here are the links to the spreader bars that were mentioned. One is for an electrical fan setup, and the other is for a mechanical fan.

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=532

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=531

This is also on my To Do list.


[Modified by 73'Vette, 3:51 PM 3/25/2004]

Wrencher

Do a search over the last couple months. There was a post that discussed it in detail. Also, E-mail me Monday at: hcabplanalp@ucdavis.edu and I'll send you a template and detailed descriptions of the fix for this very common problem. Line up a good welder. Also, amen to the spreader bar available from Vette Brakes and Products.

Dang! didn't even notice it was your first post. Welcome, you just joined the greatest bunch of 'vette addicts there is!

Hans


[Modified by Wrencher, 1:51 PM 3/25/2004]

vette75406

thanks for the help, ill email for the template on monday , sorry for the response delay ,ive been out drumming up parts for ebay, ya know gotta do what ever you can do to support the vette habit, thanks again , vette75406

neverendingproject

will this fix work on an 80 also? i will be doing this same repair very soon.

sorry bout the hi-jack.

theoUK

Wrencher,
Would you mind if I was to grab hold of a copy of this template too? The arm mount on my 80 has abviously cracked and dropped a tiny bit in the past, and had a pretty poor repair done to it. I'd appreciate a good set of repair instructions. Thanks!

norvalwilhelm

Have a look at this post http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=722538

gerry72

The bracket is available new from your friendly neighborhood ZIP <--this is the link to the part-- store


[Modified by gerry72, 7:01 AM 3/26/2004]

vette75406

that just what i was looking for , thanks for all the help

Wrencher

The reinforcing plates will work on any '63 to '82 crossmember. I'll upload the template to my website and post a link on monday.

Hans

kenko74

Did your look like this?

Be sure to weld the front crossmember lower plate, especially around the lower A-arm pivot bar bracket. I know it's a PIA to get that area properly cleaned and prepped to accept the weld, but that's where all C-3 frames start getting stress fractures due to flexing, and due to the limited spot welding practice used at the factory. When the front lower suspension rips off the frame (and I believe all C-3's as they age will experience this), it could kill you. Afterwards, add a spreader bar between the upper A-arms (available from Vette Brakes for $79), to prevent future flexing and future fractures. Chevy should have installed these bars at the factory--poor design. I thought my car was in perfect shape, no visible frame rust anywhere, until this happened to me last week:

gerry72

There was some other guy a year or so ago. He hit a curb or something like that and it created about the same or worse damage.

We keep forgetting that Chevrolet never intended these cars to last this long.

theoUK

Yeah, thanks to all for the information, it'll be V useful when I get the inclination to launch into this job. The consequences of an a-arm tearing off are a bit terrifying!
:cheers: