70 Repro lower control arms - anyone use them?

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by cstanley-gs, May 20, 2018.

  1. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    i have a cracked front lower control arm
    The lower ball joint has popped out

    I sourced a set of arms to paint and rebuild but they’re not as nice as I’d like
    I don’t think any amount of sanding will smoth the pitting

    A pair of repro arms loaded with bushings and ball joints is about $350
    I’m thinking of going that route.

    I’m sure they’re made in China.

    Anyone have experience with them?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    Once, on a `65 GTO that got hit in the RF corner by a small SUV. It folded the original control arms and broke the ball joints. It was a hard hit, so much so that it broke both motor mounts and the engine jumped out of it's cradle and one of the bolts for the upper cross shaft popped a hole in the right side exhaust manifold. Anyway, I didn't have any decent factory control arms laying around at the time so I bought reproductions. They looked nice and they fit perfectly. After I got it back on 4 wheels so it would lot drive and hauled it to the frame shop because I assumed the frame was bent. Much to my surprise, it wasn't. I had also told him to align the front end so I wouldn't have to deal with it after the body and paint work and they told me that the left side was off more than the right but it aligned perfectly. With that experience under my belt, I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
     
  3. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist


    Thank you sir!
     
  4. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

  5. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist


    Thanks Fred.
    I saw your ad and it is tempting for an original part.
    I found a coupon for year one that takes 25% off the pair. I may go that route

    Are your used ones nice?
     
  6. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    As I recall, Yes. I will check them tomorrow.
    Fred
     
  7. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    Send me a pm with what you’d want for drivers side or both
    I think shipping will be a killer though.
     
  8. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    Rock auto carries them. Just look 8 see "Chevelle" they are $111 each 8f you care about repops.
     
  9. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Zip code?
     
  10. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    32828
     
  11. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    Can’t beat a loaded pair for $240 shipped
    Good mark is a knownbrand right?
     

    Attached Files:

  12. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    They will do the job. I think originals are better but I run those and rebuilt my originals as spares.
     
    cstanley-gs likes this.
  13. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    I would wager strongly you are getting ball joints that are about 12 bucks new and the bushings will dry rot before your eyes. I'd be shocked if those were made by goodmark. If they are made by goodmark I'm not sure that's would be a positive anyway.
     
  14. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    New joints and bushings are a given since they’re cheap.

    If I were to sand out smooth the ones I have for sure they’d be thinner than new.

    So many opinions
     
  15. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Dug out the set I have, new ball joints, and shafts. Look great. PM sent.
     
  16. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    I would rather use the balljoint you have if its the original. The gm part even at 48 yrs old is a much higher quality compared to what they sell know.
     
    Mike B in SC likes this.
  17. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    PM returned.
     
  18. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    No it’s not an original ball joint.
     
  19. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    Well I sourced some cherry originals
    But in the process of scuffing them for fresh paint I found they were welded / repaired in the same place mine was cracked.
    The guy I got them from happily refunded my money. Great guy.

    So I ordered some new Goodmark pieces to replace both lowers control arms from rockauto. They weighed the exact same as the originals and were the same gauge steel.
    They can loaded with new bushings and ball joints. Rockauto was the cheapest deal around.

    They installed without any issues. Pockets were very tight. I had to file a little off the center of the bushing to make the fit easier. Didn’t take much.

    Everything went well. And I’m back in business! Nice to have my Dad here to help too. Made my day.

    When I got the cracked arm off I can see why it’s cracked. Maybe it’s been cracked for a while. Someone beat the crap out of it!!

    902C0475-7ADB-4243-964C-B315CFEBB075.jpeg C1FA6885-B3BC-4A8B-B892-A184F76ECA2A.jpeg 57D826F4-C2F9-46BC-8958-5AC73340BC65.jpeg DABF5840-E7D0-4D32-8895-E9CB78C55C4F.jpeg D4B7B596-63D6-42F8-9F79-256B9A55342C.jpeg
     
  20. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    Glad it worked out for you.
     

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