Lower A-arm question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Bowtie468** · 12-30-2004, 11:02 AM

Guys, once i bolt my lower a-arms back onto the crossmember, what is the best way to check that my cross-shaft is properly positioned (side to side) on the a-arm. Before i bolted them up, i roughly centered the shaft between the caps.
I just want to make sure i'm not 1 turn off or so before i button everything up.

Thanks !!!

Chris

**Bowtie468** · 12-30-2004, 02:53 PM

This may help explain the question ! Is there some measurement i can take between the crossmember and the cap? I understand that the cross-shaft is located in place by means of the dimple, yet rotating the shaft will cause the a-arm to move forward or rearward. This would directly affect caster, wouldn't it ?? This is what i am trying to properly position before installing springs and spindles.

**lolife99** · 12-30-2004, 04:36 PM

There is a "shoulder" on the inside of the cross shaft. I just made sure the "shoulder" was the same distance (from the inside edge of the control arm) on both sides.

crazy longhorn · 12-30-2004, 05:19 PM

Its been a while since i did mine, so "bear with me" . if you run one of the bushings all the way tight in the arm, then scew the shaft in , till it stops....back it off 1 full turn(or till the locator hole is in the right spot for the pin on the crossmember). then screw the other bushing in, & down tight.....you should be pretty close. you can check this , by turning the shaft to bottom , against both ends, to find the center. after you are set, the scerws on the shaft /bushings wont move you too much.....just remember "center" as best you can, & the bottom arm is located with a pin. After that, its up to the alingment "dude"

Best of luck,crazyL

SCOTI · 12-30-2004, 05:39 PM

There should be a 'dowel' pin on the bottom of each front u-bolt mount that locates the shaft in the proper position. The trick is to align the 'dowel' w/the 'notch' in the shaft while aligning/tightening the u-bolts.

Looking @ the lower a-arm shaft you should see the notch (recess). If you look under your truck & you should see the 'dowel' as they're the same dimensions. Once they're tightened together, the arm is located correctly & the measurement won't change when pivoting the a-arm.

**Bowtie468** · 12-30-2004, 08:29 PM

Sweet.. Thanks for all the valuable info guys !! Putting on the drop spindles as i type this

Many Thanks !!

Chris

12-30-2004, 11:02 AM	#1
Bowtie468 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cecilia, Louisiana Posts: 1,638	Lower A-arm question Guys, once i bolt my lower a-arms back onto the crossmember, what is the best way to check that my cross-shaft is properly positioned (side to side) on the a-arm. Before i bolted them up, i roughly centered the shaft between the caps. I just want to make sure i'm not 1 turn off or so before i button everything up. Thanks !!! Chris __________________ Chris click here to see my buildpage http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394656 ---------------------------------- 1979 C10 Silverado Big10 SWB Factory 454/400 Cardinal Red/Santa Fe Tan (original paint) 1969 Camaro X44 LS swap 1968 C10 SWB Fleetside (SOLD) 468BBC MultiPort TPI / Dynamic EFI P4 Black/Black 1963 Nova SS convertible (SOLD) 194 I6/ PowerGlide

12-30-2004, 02:53 PM	#2
Bowtie468 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cecilia, Louisiana Posts: 1,638	This may help explain the question ! Is there some measurement i can take between the crossmember and the cap? I understand that the cross-shaft is located in place by means of the dimple, yet rotating the shaft will cause the a-arm to move forward or rearward. This would directly affect caster, wouldn't it ?? This is what i am trying to properly position before installing springs and spindles. __________________ Chris click here to see my buildpage http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394656 ---------------------------------- 1979 C10 Silverado Big10 SWB Factory 454/400 Cardinal Red/Santa Fe Tan (original paint) 1969 Camaro X44 LS swap 1968 C10 SWB Fleetside (SOLD) 468BBC MultiPort TPI / Dynamic EFI P4 Black/Black 1963 Nova SS convertible (SOLD) 194 I6/ PowerGlide Last edited by Bowtie468; 12-23-2005 at 06:27 PM.

12-30-2004, 04:36 PM	#3
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	There is a "shoulder" on the inside of the cross shaft. I just made sure the "shoulder" was the same distance (from the inside edge of the control arm) on both sides. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

12-30-2004, 05:19 PM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Its been a while since i did mine, so "bear with me" . if you run one of the bushings all the way tight in the arm, then scew the shaft in , till it stops....back it off 1 full turn(or till the locator hole is in the right spot for the pin on the crossmember). then screw the other bushing in, & down tight.....you should be pretty close. you can check this , by turning the shaft to bottom , against both ends, to find the center. after you are set, the scerws on the shaft /bushings wont move you too much.....just remember "center" as best you can, & the bottom arm is located with a pin. After that, its up to the alingment "dude" Best of luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

12-30-2004, 05:39 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	There should be a 'dowel' pin on the bottom of each front u-bolt mount that locates the shaft in the proper position. The trick is to align the 'dowel' w/the 'notch' in the shaft while aligning/tightening the u-bolts. Looking @ the lower a-arm shaft you should see the notch (recess). If you look under your truck & you should see the 'dowel' as they're the same dimensions. Once they're tightened together, the arm is located correctly & the measurement won't change when pivoting the a-arm. __________________ 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.* Last edited by SCOTI; 12-30-2004 at 06:09 PM.

12-30-2004, 08:29 PM	#6
Bowtie468 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cecilia, Louisiana Posts: 1,638	Sweet.. Thanks for all the valuable info guys !! Putting on the drop spindles as i type this Many Thanks !! Chris __________________ Chris click here to see my buildpage http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394656 ---------------------------------- 1979 C10 Silverado Big10 SWB Factory 454/400 Cardinal Red/Santa Fe Tan (original paint) 1969 Camaro X44 LS swap 1968 C10 SWB Fleetside (SOLD) 468BBC MultiPort TPI / Dynamic EFI P4 Black/Black 1963 Nova SS convertible (SOLD) 194 I6/ PowerGlide

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