CONTROL ARM BRACES: Don't leave home without'em

detroit speed also uses the same design as the umis, so if this many companies use this design over the sloted tab, it must not be conern about the bolt flex/fatique..otherwise they all would of made the sloted tabs

..atleast you would hope haha

I'm still torn on which design to buy, as this is about the only thing I forgot to buy for the rearend.

 

bump

 

I took a good look at these yesterday... UMI was setup at the Carlisle swap meet. After seeing one installed on a display frame, I would agree with Steve's statement.... lower mount looks solid, upper mount may put a little stress on the bolt. However, the braces are VERY solidly built, with the bolts fitting tightly.... that should limit stress to the base of the actual bolt. I wouldn't hesitate to use them on any of my cars.

As an added incentive, they are offering a show special....15% OFF WITH FREE SHIPPING!:grin: :grin: Good until 10-15-2010. You must mention coupon code 'CARLISLE' for the discount. Phone or internet orders.
Now to decide what ELSE to order....they have everything from sway bars to control arms and braces.... all nice stuff.:TU:

 

BTW....
www.umiperformance.com
$84.99 shipped with discount!:TU:

 

thaat's awsome discount and free shipping!
btw, I have two different suggestions on suspension setups depending what you tend to do with the car..
comprimise of street and track/autox/roadrace? strictly drag, or strickly auto-x/road.race?

 

Walt, Thanks for the code info. I almost ordered these last week.

These look interesting, too. http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=28

Alan

 

Alan, see Gary's other post here:
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=213538

Lowering the lower control arm pivot is equivalent to raising the upper arm with no-hop-bars. TA Performance seem to be the preferred brand.
I'll defer to Gary's judgement on this subject...

 

I am pretty sure all convertable A bodies had these even with a SB 2BBL
Might check a longroof owner also. I think they were stock on these. Maybe someone knows if it was a part of F41 package. I understand all the stage 1 cars had them but that might not be correct. My non f41 72 stage 1 has them

 

Wait!! UMI has their 64-67 braces on eBay for $79.99, shipped!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200346336092&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

From what HP level and up...do you need these? o No:

I do not know of any cars that use them here, our car doesn't have these either, it has almost every other mod except for this one.

 

daward said:....."I managed to rip my upper support with the baby 300 motor in my '66 Skylark. At the time I only had a TH350, 2200 stall and a HEAVY foot."

Thats kind'a scarry when a 300 engine can do the damage.

If nothing else, I would be worried that my pinion angle could be out of whack under full power and might cause u-joint problems or worse.

 

You at least want the stock ones for safety reasons......

 

Ok sorry mis understood, the Stock ones are on the car.

I meant I don't have an of those aftermarket pieces on the car, there for my question when do you need to change these stock ones for the stronger aftermarket pieces?

These pieces look very simple, and are easily self made.
A friend of mine has some chromemoly cage tubbing left over, I might take a look at it and fabricate something myself.

 

That tubing might be too big but fabricating is a good idea.

 

Stock ones are probably ok to a point, but I don't know their true limits.
Check them for cracks around the bolt holes.
Recheck the pinion angle.

If you upgrade:
After installing the braces:
Recheck the pinion angle... Set angle with the LEFT upper adjustable control arm. (Adjust left/right pull on launch with the RIGHT control arm after testing)
Tighten all the bolts under full body wieght.
Recheck the adjustment of the HR anti-sway bar if you have one.

 

I notice the vendors sell different ones for 64 to 67 and 68 to 72. Whats the difference? distance between bolt holes?

- Bill

 

Gary,
Any rule of thumb on adjusting the right arm? Like shorten if it steps to the right.

 

Just got these from Eckler - 64-67 braces. They appear to fit well on my 67 and look well made:

UPDATE: - Finally installed them and they fit great. They go behind the mufflers and use the stock bolts.

- Bill

 

Price?

 

$105/pr + shipping.

http://www.ecklerschevelle.com/chevelle-control-arm-mount-reinforcement-braces-rear-1964-1967.html

- Bill