I have boxed lower contol arms that looked as though they came from the factory. Was this the case? If so did they have spacers on the inside so you could tighten the stabilizer bar preventing the thin sheet metal from colapsing?

Tim72

 

The "spacers" would have been part of the welded-in metal bottoms that were folded around the sway bar bolt holes to prevent collapsing.
Can you post a picture?

 

Rob,
I can not post a picture because I have tried and can not make it work for some reason. The set I have do not have the bushings inside. I can send you my e-mail address for you to send me yours. tmtalaskanmalamutes@msn.com I will crawl under and take the pictures and can send once I get your e-mail address.

Thanks
Tim

 

OPGI has the weld in conversion pieces.
They fold around as Rob said.

21195.jpg

http://www.originalpartsgroup.com/pr...079&yearrange=

 

Tim,
From the way you describe them, something sounds strange. Email a couple pics to me at ry_ry75081 AT yahoo.com.
I can post them and figure out what you have.

Rob

 

They actually slide into the center of the lower control arm, and you weld them in. After welding , you drill out the holes, and you are ready for paint. I have made probably 25-30 sets of them, and all look exactly as the factory made ones. Many times you can catch them on sale for around $30 or less.

 

You guys are confused ..the spacers he is referring to are the shims that fit in between the sway bar and the control arm, using one or two equally on each side so there is no tension on the bar when the bolts are tightened up...PN 385967...

 

Sorry, but I think you are confused. I can see how one can interpret his original question in one of two ways:


Now try this:

I can see where you might think he was referring to the shims on the inside faces of the arms, but even without those shims, you won't collapse the sheet metal arms. On the other hand, torquing the sway bar mounting bolts without either the factory boxing plates or spacer tubes inside the stamped arms WILL cause them to collapse.

Do not ask me how I know this...

 

Yes, I misinterpreted it!! I do have a set of control arms that are boxed but not with provision for sway bars, just a straight piece of metal from end to end without the loops ...you would have to cut them open to install re-inforcements and drill holes ...by the way...how did you know that...

 

Let's just say that we've all had our young-and-stupid period...