'72 Upper A-arm bolts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BraveDave · 02-16-2003, 10:55 PM

I just had dropped spindles and springs installed on my '72. The tech couldn't get the camber perfect on the passenger side. The A-arm blots aren't long enough. I need some longer bolts, which isn't a problem, but he tells me that the bolts are somewhat unique on the head end. What do I need to look for and where do I get them? Thanks!!!

jhow66 · 02-16-2003, 10:59 PM

Try Nut & Bolt Dealer--be sure and get same grade bolt.

Vince M · 02-17-2003, 10:47 PM

The "bolts" are 7/16-20 x 2 1/2" long. But they are not bolts more like a pressed in stud. The head is completely round. There is access through the frame to get them out...I would imagine a big hammer or air chisel might get it out but the back side is pretty tight with the motor mounts and stuff in the way.

I have heard of offset upper shafts for just the same reason you have mentioned but I don't know who would have them.

My 68 had the nuts backed out pretty far on one side and them some a**hole welded the nut to the stud.

I would think a reputable alignment shop would know how to fix this as this is their business.

junkyardjohn · 02-18-2003, 01:11 AM

WHEN I REBUILT THE FRONTEND ON MY 72 PROJECT, I TOOK 3 1/4" GRADE 8 BOLTS & WELDED THEM IN PLACE OF THE STOCK BOLTS. I ALSO MILLED MY OLD UPPER CONTROL ARM SHAFTS TO 5/8" , CUT OFF THE THREADED ENDS, & USED THEM AS SPACERS, SO I DIDN'T NEED 47 SHIMS.

( AN AIRHAMMER POPPED THE OLD BOLTS RIGHT OUT. THEY'RE PRESSED IN)

Johns70 · 02-18-2003, 02:03 AM

i ran into that myself after putting spindels on. turned out that the crossmember was tweaked a little, after changing it they could get it in adjustment. maybe you have somthing tweaked like a a-arm or something from a previous wreck?is there a big difference in the number of shims from left side to right side?

junkyardjohn · 02-18-2003, 02:12 AM

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, THE AMOUNT OF SHIMS SHOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME. THE MORE YOU DROP THE FRONTEND.... THE MORE SHIMS YOU'LL NEED.... & THE LONGER THE BOLT NEEDS TO BE FOR YOUR UPPER CONTROL ARM SHAFT.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 02-18-2003, 02:23 AM

I have done an extencive search for longer studs and have come up empty handed. The only explenation I have been given is that they must be propriatory and unavailable to anyone else but GM and not available in any longer lengths than the stock 2 1/2". If anyone else can find them I would appriciate it. The places that I have already tried are Valley Nut and Bolt here in Olympia and Tacoma Screw. I gave them each a stock stud that I purchased from GM and each were not able to come up with anything and they had my samples for a couple of weaks each. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

junkyardjohn · 02-18-2003, 02:30 AM

WES .... I SEARCHED & SEACHED & CAME UP EMPTY HANDED ALSO. A FRAME SHOP NEAR ME GAVE ME THE WELDING IN LONGER GRADE 8 BOLT IDEA, & SAID THEY CAN'T GET LONGER STUDS EITHER. THIS IS HOW THEY FIX THE PROBLEM.

BraveDave · 02-18-2003, 03:10 AM

The driver's side is aligned perfectly. The tech also thought that the truck may have been wrecked at one time, hence the difference in the two sides. Thanks for the suggestions. I may find some new bolts and just have them lengthened. All is need is another 1/2-inch or so. How bad would it be if the nut were two or three threads short of being flush with the end of the bolt?

Vince M · 02-18-2003, 10:37 PM

The nuts that are used are a crimped end style which is for locking the nut to the bolt/stud. It is very important that the nut be threaded on or you lose the locking feature of the nut. Not a good idea for a stressed suspension part.

BraveDave · 02-20-2003, 08:01 PM

Well, whaddya know! Upon further inspection i discovered that truck already has 1/2 bolts on the upper A-arm shaft. I got under the truck and could see hex-heads on the inside of the frame. Someone else must have run into the same problem - or maybe the original bolts were stripped or something - who know. At any rate I just went and bought a couple of 4-inch bolts (better too long than not long enough) and I am off the Firestone. Now I will finally be able to drive this truck around! Thanks for all the info!!!

Brave Dave

02-16-2003, 10:55 PM	#1
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	'72 Upper A-arm bolts I just had dropped spindles and springs installed on my '72. The tech couldn't get the camber perfect on the passenger side. The A-arm blots aren't long enough. I need some longer bolts, which isn't a problem, but he tells me that the bolts are somewhat unique on the head end. What do I need to look for and where do I get them? Thanks!!! __________________ '72 Chevy Cheyenne Super, '56 Chevy Bel Air,'56 Chevy Nomad, '61 Chevy Impala, '64 Cadillac Fleetwood, 1966 Thunderbird Convertible

02-16-2003, 10:59 PM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Try Nut & Bolt Dealer--be sure and get same grade bolt. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

02-17-2003, 10:47 PM	#3
Vince M Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,076	The "bolts" are 7/16-20 x 2 1/2" long. But they are not bolts more like a pressed in stud. The head is completely round. There is access through the frame to get them out...I would imagine a big hammer or air chisel might get it out but the back side is pretty tight with the motor mounts and stuff in the way. I have heard of offset upper shafts for just the same reason you have mentioned but I don't know who would have them. My 68 had the nuts backed out pretty far on one side and them some a**hole welded the nut to the stud. I would think a reputable alignment shop would know how to fix this as this is their business. __________________ ............................................................ 68 Chevy CST SWB w/LS1, carb & 700r4. Golden Anniversary clone with a few improvements.

02-18-2003, 01:11 AM	#4
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	WHEN I REBUILT THE FRONTEND ON MY 72 PROJECT, I TOOK 3 1/4" GRADE 8 BOLTS & WELDED THEM IN PLACE OF THE STOCK BOLTS. I ALSO MILLED MY OLD UPPER CONTROL ARM SHAFTS TO 5/8" , CUT OFF THE THREADED ENDS, & USED THEM AS SPACERS, SO I DIDN'T NEED 47 SHIMS. ( AN AIRHAMMER POPPED THE OLD BOLTS RIGHT OUT. THEY'RE PRESSED IN) __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

02-18-2003, 02:03 AM	#5
Johns70 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Spring Creek, nevada. U.S.A. Posts: 456	i ran into that myself after putting spindels on. turned out that the crossmember was tweaked a little, after changing it they could get it in adjustment. maybe you have somthing tweaked like a a-arm or something from a previous wreck?is there a big difference in the number of shims from left side to right side? __________________ 69 chevy short wide box project 70 GMC jimmy project

02-18-2003, 02:12 AM	#6
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, THE AMOUNT OF SHIMS SHOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME. THE MORE YOU DROP THE FRONTEND.... THE MORE SHIMS YOU'LL NEED.... & THE LONGER THE BOLT NEEDS TO BE FOR YOUR UPPER CONTROL ARM SHAFT. __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

02-18-2003, 02:23 AM	#7
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	I have done an extencive search for longer studs and have come up empty handed. The only explenation I have been given is that they must be propriatory and unavailable to anyone else but GM and not available in any longer lengths than the stock 2 1/2". If anyone else can find them I would appriciate it. The places that I have already tried are Valley Nut and Bolt here in Olympia and Tacoma Screw. I gave them each a stock stud that I purchased from GM and each were not able to come up with anything and they had my samples for a couple of weaks each. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

02-18-2003, 02:30 AM	#8
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	WES .... I SEARCHED & SEACHED & CAME UP EMPTY HANDED ALSO. A FRAME SHOP NEAR ME GAVE ME THE WELDING IN LONGER GRADE 8 BOLT IDEA, & SAID THEY CAN'T GET LONGER STUDS EITHER. THIS IS HOW THEY FIX THE PROBLEM. __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

02-18-2003, 03:10 AM	#9
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	The driver's side is aligned perfectly. The tech also thought that the truck may have been wrecked at one time, hence the difference in the two sides. Thanks for the suggestions. I may find some new bolts and just have them lengthened. All is need is another 1/2-inch or so. How bad would it be if the nut were two or three threads short of being flush with the end of the bolt? __________________ '72 Chevy Cheyenne Super, '56 Chevy Bel Air,'56 Chevy Nomad, '61 Chevy Impala, '64 Cadillac Fleetwood, 1966 Thunderbird Convertible

02-18-2003, 10:37 PM	#10
Vince M Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,076	The nuts that are used are a crimped end style which is for locking the nut to the bolt/stud. It is very important that the nut be threaded on or you lose the locking feature of the nut. Not a good idea for a stressed suspension part. __________________ ............................................................ 68 Chevy CST SWB w/LS1, carb & 700r4. Golden Anniversary clone with a few improvements.

02-20-2003, 08:01 PM	#11
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	Well, whaddya know! Upon further inspection i discovered that truck already has 1/2 bolts on the upper A-arm shaft. I got under the truck and could see hex-heads on the inside of the frame. Someone else must have run into the same problem - or maybe the original bolts were stripped or something - who know. At any rate I just went and bought a couple of 4-inch bolts (better too long than not long enough) and I am off the Firestone. Now I will finally be able to drive this truck around! Thanks for all the info!!! Brave Dave __________________ '72 Chevy Cheyenne Super, '56 Chevy Bel Air,'56 Chevy Nomad, '61 Chevy Impala, '64 Cadillac Fleetwood, 1966 Thunderbird Convertible



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