Does anyone know where to find the hardware for the upper and lower A arms on a 1968 Delmont 88 Town Sedan, 455?

I need to get the front springs changed out (they’re old and leaning hard to the drivers side) on my 68 town sedan and I always like to have a new hardware kit ready just for good measure and especially if they have to cut any of the old bolts and I cannot find anyone that sells a kit. I’ve tried UMI, Detroit Speed, Kanter and every other aftermarket company I can think of.

is there another model that might use the same hardware?

Anything helps

 

Have you checked specialty salvage yards?

https://www.dvap.com/our-inventory/

You aren't going to find a suspension hardware kit for your Delmont 88. I'd be hesitant to use off-the-shelf hardware from Home Depot or Lowe's.

 

If you haven’t already, suggest you post this on the site’s Parts Wanted page. Are a lot of good folks who may not look at this page, put would pick up your request there.

I also may have some items, but am on travel right now. I will see what I have when I get home later in the week.

 

Will do, thank you!!

 

That’s a great idea than you!!

 

Call French Lake Auto in Minnesota. I’m a year or 2 out of date, but they had a selection of 65-70 big Oldsmobiles a while back.

 

On my list now thank you!!

 

Exactly what hardware are you looking for? Fasteners? Cross shaft for the upper arm? Suspension rebuild parts?
On my 67 Delta, I got new Moog springs from RockAuto. Bushings and lower ball joints were also Moog from RA. The upper ball joints are unobtanium unless you spend the big bucks at Rare Parts. I reused all my old fasteners.

 

Thanks for the response, this is good info.

Its’s mainly the fasteners Im looking for right now. These guys have worked on some of my other older cars, one particularly rusty 91 Custom Cruiser from Wisconsin and they had to cut a few of the bolts, but I had a new kit ready from UMI. As long as we can order the parts we need they don’t mind letting it sit on of their lifts for a few days.

I haven’t started gathering parts they might need yet but I’ll go ahead and start that process.

 

To reduce the chance of breaking bolts, wire brush the threads thoroughly and start soaking them liberally and repeatedly particularly where the bolts go through bushings.

 

I would be amazed if UMI sells parts to fit a 65-70 Olds full size. Impala parts do not fit.

 

Will do thank you!!

 

I can’t find anyone that sells for the 65-70 specifically, but maybe there are other B Body kits that fit.

 

JoeP mentioned Impala kits wouldn't fit. I doubt other manufacturer kits would fit.

If the shop you're taking your Oldsmobile to wants to use a torch to separate the A arms from the frame then I'd find a different shop. Even though the hardware on your car may have been assembled for 58 years a shop should have the tools to remove the A arms per the Factory Service Manual. Is your car from up north with extensive rust that needs to be fixed?

Oldsmobile didn't start using Torque To Yield hardware until the very end (i.e. head bolts for the ShortStar v8 used in Oldsmobile Auroras). There's no need to replace the hardware unless it's negligently damaged.

 

You're probably right and the fasteners probably won’t be a problem. The car is in pretty good shape underneath. I’d just prefer to have all my bases covered before dropping it off but that might not be an option here.

 

I agree with Joe, you should be fine with original fasteners. If the shop isn’t familiar with removing the upper arm cross shaft from the frame, make sure they use the procedure in the service manual… it worked like a charm on all of my 68’s. If you do need those cross shaft bolts/nuts you can buy them from Midwest muscle car specialties on eBay. I took a couple of screenshots of the manual for you… hope this helps.
Dave

 

SWEET SASSY MOLASSY!! Thank you sir, I think this is enough info go ahead with it.

Thank yall so much and I?ll post pics when I get it all set up.

 

Full disclosure, I never had to buy those bolts and would confirm the exact measurements before buying for your 88.
Dave