55.2-59 driver control arm 1956 chevy 3200

[Hcb3200]

is there a replacement for the driver side control arm? we snapped one in half in a parking lot at least and not on road. Need a replacement. But cannot seem to find one on the big online guys. I have two brand new sets of tie rods and tie rod ends but no arms for the trucks. car arms everywhere it seems.

[mr48chev]

What suspension do you have?

Stock 56 3200 does not have "control arms" Or what are you calling a "control Arm"?

[Hcb3200]

Stock steering linkages
disk brakes
Power steering cpp 400 with stock drag link.

this arm

[paulspickupparts]

Not sure what you have going on here but is your steering arm rubbing the inside of the tire ? I might have one but you may need to address why it cracked and broke. Very uncommon . A pothole should never have done this or we would all be in the ditch . Also there appears to be some of your spindle exposed in the wheel bearing area. Maybe its just the photo I hope.

[Hcb3200]

the rub is from hard parking lot turns where the tire gets to the drag link. Running wider tires. it does not rub in normal operation.

Multiple items contributed to the break (lucky in parking lot)
1 - age (and unknown wear we are not the first owners)
2 - hub spun a race and it was putting a very large camber on one side before it was noticed. (aka i was not the daily driver)
3 - power steering added. Lot more force on the older parts.
4 - It has been operating on some seriously un improved roads for last year working on some college research projects in non urban areas. aka farm work for a farm truck.

real issue is they don't make aftermarket replacement parts in same style.
But lots of guys converting front ends to kits so someone has to have one in the scrap pile.

[Hcb3200]

forgot to add two thing.

The "exposed spindle" is actually a spacer. I am running cpp aftermarket hubs.
Due to the spun race on original hubs.

Second.
King pins was getting tight and would not take grease. Never been rebuilt.
The rebuild kit came in the day before it broke and was on the plan for next to weeks to rebuild.
This was most likely the contributing factor.

[_Ogre]

yikes! that could have hurt at any other speed than a parking lot
contact paulspickupparts he is a member with lots of parts and very helpful
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php?u=103200

[Hcb3200]

You guys are awesome.
have a line on a salvage one out west.
two NOS are making sure they could put their hands on it.

Would love to help a member out first if they have one.
Got a few days before I pull the trigger.
pulling everything to redo those kingpins and validate like the guys above said nothing else is going on.

Thanks

[Hcb3200]

forge number looks like

5147 RGT

[gottattooz]

I'm on the south side of Atlanta in Lovejoy, and I might have one I can bring to you. I'll check after work today.

-Josh

[Hcb3200]

that would be awesome.
I can also make the excuse to head toward macon to visit mom

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by gottattooz

I'm on the south side of Atlanta in Lovejoy, and I might have one I can bring to you. I'll check after work today.

-Josh

don't you like the way this forum works?

gottattooz, have we seen pics of this panel truck???

[Hcb3200]

you are correct sir.
A quick impact on the nuts.
A little wire wheel on some 65 year old grime and
bingo

3728391
GM14

say the numbers.
Bingo

[Hcb3200]

Originally Posted by gmc jr van

That forge number is not in the two Chevy books I have 58, 62.
Just out of curiosity, if you have the time. What is the forge number on the passenger side? It’s between the two bolts on the inside of the arm.

you are correct sir. The passenger side was 3711777 GM 16
for thread integrity

[mr48chev]

I've never seen a steering arm on an AD or TF truck break. I've seen some that were bent up in a wreck but never broken. I have to wonder what compromised that one.

[mr48chev]

That arm looks like it has been cracked for a while. W it heated and bent to reshape it by chance?

[Hcb3200]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

That arm looks like it has been cracked for a while. W it heated and bent to reshape it by chance?

never been heated or bent by us. and I doubt previous owners did as they thought pouring gas in the carb to get it started was normal

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Hcb3200

and I doubt previous owners did as they thought pouring gas in the carb to get it started was normal

it isn't???

[mr48chev]

The original damage may have happened years ago then. Luckily it didn't break when you were rolling down the freeway at 70.

Then again it may have just been a bad piece to begin with that never got stressed until that day.

[_Ogre]

good you have it fixed, at least you can move it around
but i wouldn't trust a welded forged part at any speed

[mr48chev]

Not a big issue with welding a forged part if the welding is done right and the part is prepped right. Meaning Veeing down next to the break where you can get full penetration to the middle of the weld and building out. if you just stick the ends together and run a bead around them that isn't going to work no matter how pretty the weld is.

Still I read this as temporary so the truck can be moved around, in and out of the garage and what not until he finds the right steering arm in top shape.

[dsraven]

in Canada it is prohibited to heat, bend, cut or weld a steering component. USA is likely the same. lots of guys gave done it I am sure but it would void insurance if anybody ever found out after an accident. insurance companies have more money and lawyers than most people so they would dig into anything that would cost them money should a court action be brought forward. just to move the thing around for working on it would mean it doesn't go on the road so no problem. personally I wouldn't trust a welded steering part no matter who welded it. there has to be a used part someplace and now that you have it mobile you can take your time looking for a un-bent/cut/welded part. maybe check the local laws about steering modification if you plan to use the welded part.

[mr48chev]

It's plenty strong to move the truck in and out of the shop, around the yard and what not, True I wouldn't want to drive down the highway with it butt welded steering arm but I don't think he will have problems moving it around.

Most of the laws on welded and or heated and bent suspension pieces in Canada and other places came about because someone with little or no skill welded it or heated and cooled the part wrong. That from the Washington State Patrol inspector who has inspected a couple of my rigs that I asked about our state's law on fabricated frames. Here you have to have a certified welder weld your frame or you have to have it inspected and passed by a certified welder. That would be a tube frame welded from scratch.

We have all seen some sketchy work if we have been around this game for a while. We have even had a bit of it show up on here on occasion. Bought rather than built in one case. That seems to be the case of sketchy stuff with this group though, someone goes out and buys a truck that some guy scabbed together that looks great from the outside but is a mess underneath.

[Hcb3200]

All these post and traction this thread has got and nobody has got a part laying in a pile?

Where are all you guys who clipped, or mustang II the front end ? someone has got to have one handy. LOL

[_Ogre]

you said you had one coming, probably stopped a lot of replies.
i gave all of my stuff away, wheels & new tires, axles tailgate, rear of bed
paulspickupparts would have had one in your hand by now