Upper and Lower Control Arms - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

prairieschooner · 10-07-2022, 10:18 AM

I saw the post about Upper Control Arms but still have questions. After watching the Brothers video I am not sure how much I want to deal with rebuilding mine.
Curious how many have experience with aftermarket Control Arms.
It looks like MOOG has Upper Control Arms but having trouble finding the Lower by MOOG and those look to be discontinued.

Looks like Summit has a tubular set with all four for $409.99. Anyone have experience with these?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...D_BwE#overview

**72malibu** · 10-07-2022, 02:10 PM

Tubular arms are discussed all the time on the Chevelle site I frequent.

The imported knock-offs (of US-made Hotchkis, UMI, Detroit Speed, etc.) usually do not have any built in geometry improvement over stock. So you're just buying tubular steel instead of stamped and not getting better alignment.

Few people trust the ball joints that come with the imported knock offs. If I was going to run those arms, I would definitely replace the ball joints with Proforged, Moog, etc.

prairieschooner · 10-07-2022, 02:41 PM

Thanks 72malibu.
I was concerned about that and you have confirmed my concern.
I am thinking of going with the ones from LMC. This way I can buy a little at a time. They would be clean and powder coated and ready to install saving allot of hassle. I am thinking of doing this project in the spring so I do have time to consider all.
Steve

**72malibu** · 10-07-2022, 03:42 PM

Yeah, I'm going to see how it goes refurbishing vs replacing. I'm doing a major rebuild project for my dad, and I want to get the truck back on the road for him to enjoy asap. So if the arms are a hassle, I'll be replacing them with stamped arms to save time.

SCOTI · 10-07-2022, 04:43 PM

I researched a-arms when looking for parts to update my g-body Malibu. I recall finding 8 different manufacturers that 'built' arms & of those I looked for info regarding what improvements they offered. Three of the eight on the list indicated actual geometry changes. One of those 3 options utilized a 'drop pocket' for the coil to adjust ride height so that was a no for me. That left two options that actually had geometry improvements made; the remainder were simply tubular constructed replacements that utilized 'better' bushings.

Do your homework.

Stock truck a-arms w/fresh bushings & BJ's along w/the Caster Mod work great for improving the 63-87 era truck suspensions.

**72malibu** · 10-07-2022, 05:03 PM

What's the caster mod on these trucks?

SCOTI · 10-07-2022, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72malibu

What's the caster mod on these trucks?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=caster+mod

v30crewcab · 10-08-2022, 10:28 AM

classic industries has upper and lowers.

prairieschooner · 10-08-2022, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v30crewcab

classic industries has upper and lowers.

Looks like they only have those in Tubular. They only show the stamped ones in the upper.
I am thinking of buying from LMC Truck unless someone has had a bad experience.
Steve

v30crewcab · 10-08-2022, 05:02 PM

153974 is lowers
t70581, t70582 is uppers
having a catalog helps, their search isn't good.

prairieschooner · 10-08-2022, 09:41 PM

thanks!

**72malibu** · 10-10-2022, 01:19 PM

After pulling the old control arms off I decided I don't have the time to rebuild the uppers and lowers (my dad is a 2 hr. drive from me, each way, and I have a ton of other, more enjoyable, work to do).

Classic Industries lists repro lowers from OER and they are out of stock/backordered. So I went with the lowers that LMC appears to have in stock.

For the uppers, I got Moog / AC Delco (they are identical; the AC Delco appear to be discontinued) from RockAuto.

If I have any complaints about the LMC lowers I'll speak up, but I suspect they'll be fine.

prairieschooner · 10-10-2022, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72malibu

After pulling the old control arms off I decided I don't have the time to rebuild the uppers and lowers (my dad is a 2 hr. drive from me, each way, and I have a ton of other, more enjoyable, work to do).

Classic Industries lists repro lowers from OER and they are out of stock/backordered. So I went with the lowers that LMC appears to have in stock.

For the uppers, I got Moog / AC Delco (they are identical; the AC Delco appear to be discontinued) from RockAuto.

If I have any complaints about the LMC lowers I'll speak up, but I suspect they'll be fine.

Thanks!!!!

prairieschooner · 10-10-2022, 09:02 PM

Actually when you plug in any costs for say powder coating, materials and tools the extra expense may be moot. Looking forward to your experience!

10-07-2022, 10:18 AM	#1
prairieschooner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Idyllwild Posts: 31	Upper and Lower Control Arms I saw the post about Upper Control Arms but still have questions. After watching the Brothers video I am not sure how much I want to deal with rebuilding mine. Curious how many have experience with aftermarket Control Arms. It looks like MOOG has Upper Control Arms but having trouble finding the Lower by MOOG and those look to be discontinued. Looks like Summit has a tubular set with all four for $409.99. Anyone have experience with these? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...D_BwE#overview __________________ Steve 1975 Chevy C10 Short Bed Fleetside

10-07-2022, 02:10 PM	#2
72malibu Active Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 103	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms Tubular arms are discussed all the time on the Chevelle site I frequent. The imported knock-offs (of US-made Hotchkis, UMI, Detroit Speed, etc.) usually do not have any built in geometry improvement over stock. So you're just buying tubular steel instead of stamped and not getting better alignment. Few people trust the ball joints that come with the imported knock offs. If I was going to run those arms, I would definitely replace the ball joints with Proforged, Moog, etc.

10-07-2022, 02:41 PM	#3
prairieschooner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Idyllwild Posts: 31	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms Thanks 72malibu. I was concerned about that and you have confirmed my concern. I am thinking of going with the ones from LMC. This way I can buy a little at a time. They would be clean and powder coated and ready to install saving allot of hassle. I am thinking of doing this project in the spring so I do have time to consider all. Steve __________________ Steve 1975 Chevy C10 Short Bed Fleetside

10-07-2022, 03:42 PM	#4
72malibu Active Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 103	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms Yeah, I'm going to see how it goes refurbishing vs replacing. I'm doing a major rebuild project for my dad, and I want to get the truck back on the road for him to enjoy asap. So if the arms are a hassle, I'll be replacing them with stamped arms to save time.

10-07-2022, 04:43 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,910	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms I researched a-arms when looking for parts to update my g-body Malibu. I recall finding 8 different manufacturers that 'built' arms & of those I looked for info regarding what improvements they offered. Three of the eight on the list indicated actual geometry changes. One of those 3 options utilized a 'drop pocket' for the coil to adjust ride height so that was a no for me. That left two options that actually had geometry improvements made; the remainder were simply tubular constructed replacements that utilized 'better' bushings. Do your homework. Stock truck a-arms w/fresh bushings & BJ's along w/the Caster Mod work great for improving the 63-87 era truck suspensions. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

10-07-2022, 05:03 PM	#6
72malibu Active Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 103	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms What's the caster mod on these trucks?

10-08-2022, 10:28 AM	#8
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 957	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms classic industries has upper and lowers. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

10-08-2022, 05:02 PM	#10
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 957	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms 153974 is lowers t70581, t70582 is uppers having a catalog helps, their search isn't good. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

10-08-2022, 09:41 PM	#11
prairieschooner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Idyllwild Posts: 31	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms thanks! __________________ Steve 1975 Chevy C10 Short Bed Fleetside

10-10-2022, 01:19 PM	#12
72malibu Active Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 103	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms After pulling the old control arms off I decided I don't have the time to rebuild the uppers and lowers (my dad is a 2 hr. drive from me, each way, and I have a ton of other, more enjoyable, work to do). Classic Industries lists repro lowers from OER and they are out of stock/backordered. So I went with the lowers that LMC appears to have in stock. For the uppers, I got Moog / AC Delco (they are identical; the AC Delco appear to be discontinued) from RockAuto. If I have any complaints about the LMC lowers I'll speak up, but I suspect they'll be fine.

10-10-2022, 09:02 PM	#14
prairieschooner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Idyllwild Posts: 31	Re: Upper and Lower Control Arms Actually when you plug in any costs for say powder coating, materials and tools the extra expense may be moot. Looking forward to your experience! __________________ Steve 1975 Chevy C10 Short Bed Fleetside



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