C1 Upper A Arm Inner Shaft

[Rick C.]

I am going to have to change one of the upper control arm inner shafts on my '62 because the threads are half gone on one end. The archives are full of warnings to avoid changing this shaft if at all possible.

What's so hard about doing this? The old shaft can be removed with a pipe wrench and a tool can be made to install the new one so the threads on the shaft are not damaged. After reading the ST-12, it seems pretty straight forward. Am I missing something? I certainly don't want to damage the threads in the crossmember! I understand the shaft threads through the crossmember hard and it should be lubricated prior to installation. How much torque should I expect to be putting on the shaft to get it to thread all the way through?

There are also some old posts indicating the repros don't fit real well. I would appreciate hearing from anybody who has replaced one of these shafts in the last few years.

Thanks,
Rick

[William C.]

Re: C1 Upper A Arm Inner Shaft

It's not really that difficult, if you understand that (nearly) all the replacement shafts are (or are supposed to be) oversize in the area that threads thru the crossmember. The trick is using a kit that is the minimum oversize the have the threads tight, but not so tight that the shaft cannot be threaded into the correct location. Remember 54 and earlier chevy pass car parts are the same items, and NOS or NORS old replacement parts are generally better than mew stuff made who knows where out of who knows what.

[Jim H.]

Re: C1 Upper A Arm Inner Shaft

I am going to have to change one of the upper control arm inner shafts on my '62 because the threads are half gone on one end. The archives are full of warnings to avoid changing this shaft if at all possible.

What's so hard about doing this? The old shaft can be removed with a pipe wrench and a tool can be made to install the new one so the threads on the shaft are not damaged. After reading the ST-12, it seems pretty straight forward. Am I missing something? I certainly don't want to damage the threads in the crossmember! I understand the shaft threads through the crossmember hard and it should be lubricated prior to installation. How much torque should I expect to be putting on the shaft to get it to thread all the way through?

There are also some old posts indicating the repros don't fit real well. I would appreciate hearing from anybody who has replaced one of these shafts in the last few years.

Thanks,
Rick

I might have a set of extra ones. Let me know and I will see. I bought a bunch of NOS front end parts from someone years ago. I did not have to replace the shafts since mine were in good condition. Let me know and I will see about looking in the box where I think they are at.

[Rick C.]

Re: C1 Upper A Arm Inner Shaft

Jim,
Thanks. You have mail.