TomP

So I'm going to be replacing the right half of my car, and got this great idea- instead of sliding the axle back and forth underneath my car, then taking it out from underneath, then putting it back in -- for alignment purposes -- I want to make a "fake axle".

I'll get two rear LCA's from a junkyard, and bolt them to my car. Then I'll weld a steel tube connecting them, as close as I can get to the LCA bushings (on the frame side, not the axle side). That'll be my tool for getting the "width" of the car correct. If I get frisky I might even make a panhard bracket.

But; I know I'm not going to find a junkyard firebird/camaro in the air, properly jacked up. Think it's safe to pull the LCA's off when the car's sitting on all 4 wheels? I think the shocks and springs will keep the axle from going anywhere... but figured I'd ask here first.

Another question; are both sides of a lower control arm the same? As in, same bushings, same dimensions, doesn't matter which side goes to the axle or which side goes to the frame? I have two "half" rear LCA's from when I got that '84 3.73/posi/disc axle. The yard cut the LCA's in half with a torch when they took the axle out for me.

Eightyninef

I would think enough people around here have after market LCA's to solve your problem.

RB83L69

No it's probably not safe to do that, the rear will try to move one way or the other (probably rearwards) and the springs might shoot out or the car fall off the suspension.

Get the to bring over their big fork lift and lift the car, and set the frame up on some wheels or something in front of the LCA bolt.

The LCAs are symmetrical, no front or rear.

ebmiller88

iTrader: (7)

Tom,
I've got 3 sets of stockers (LCAs/panhard) available if you want to use them. Ship them to your self and ship them back if you don't want to keep them.

Lemme know.

Ed