Whannah1990

Everyone!!

I have a 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass that I am restoring. I bought new tube control arms due to the original left bottom control arm being bent. when I installed the new control arms the bottom arms fit perfect but the upper control arms are off about 2 inches on both sides. I looked at the ears on top of the rear end housing and they appear to be bent outward. I am looking for a new rear end housing 10 bolt is original but due to motor I am putting in the car a 12 bolt would be great but will take either or at this point in time. Also if anyone has a method of straightening the ears out please let me know.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

lemoldsnut

I have several 67 rearends. I am curious if you have the correct upper control arms. Are you sure they aren't for a 68-72? They have different upper control arms than 67.

Whannah1990

I matched the new tubular arms up to the original u style arms and they are the same length exactly and the bushings widths are the same. lemoldsnut...

Whannah1990

here is what the ear looks like on the rear end and where the upper control arm is lining up.

ROCKETMAN269V

Try jacking the rear end up using a block of wood to tilt the pinion down in the front. I've run into similar issues during many years of replacing and rebuilding rear ends.

tru-blue 442

Doesn't look to me like the bushing is in place yet.
I would say try again. A little Armor All or similar, to get it pressed on.
Don't forget to loosen up the bolt afterwards. Good luck, I don't see 'bending'
those beasty ears. I could be wrong, wouldn't be the 1st time.

ferndaleflyer

That rear end is tilted towards the back (pinion or front is up to high). If all the pieces are the same length as the originals roll the housing towards the front (push the pinion down) until the holes line up. You don't need a rear end but I have several here in central NC.

joe_padavano

As noted, you don't have the rear axle in the right place. More importantly, if those upper arms have poly bushings in both ends, you will have a binding problem. This misalignment is EXACTLY what causes the binding, as the arms must twist and move slightly as the suspension moves up and down. The stock rubber bushings have enough compliance to accommodate that. Poly bushings do not. The alternative is the metal ball joint bushing in the front of the upper arms.

Whannah1990

I will give all those ideas a try. I will let you know what the outcome is. Thank you!

Chesrown 67 OAI

I have a complete Type O (12 bolt cover) with 4.11 posi and 31 spline axles that would be just the "nuts" for your car. $1500 firm -- F.O.B. Dover, OH 44622. PM me if interested

Whannah1990

I did further research maybe y'all can give me further info. I heard the 1967 is a transition year. 1965 to 1967 was the same model then 1968 to 1972 were similar models. If it's a late 67 model then 68 parts were used. I checked the control arms for a 67 and 68 and they are different. So I ordered 68 control arms to see if they will work, should have them in the next or so has to send the other ones, 67, back. Opinions????

Magna86

Always use the control arms for the car. Doesn't matter if you put a 65-67 or 68-72 rear end in there because both will fit fine. The only difference for installation is the upper control arms length. Since you confirmed they are the same as was the original ones then its just playing with the rear alignment to get it all to work. So again makesure those housing bushing are fully seated and work the angle of the rear to line everything up. Doing this by yourself makes it more of a PIA.

Chesrown 67 OAI

Relooking the pic, it almost appears that the ear on the housing may be bent?
Did you try to hook up the otherside? They cant be bent the same? Nobetheless, 68 arms will NEVER fit on a 67.