67-72 Cross shaft

[SIXT8LOU]

why are these cross shafts different size at the inner point next to the threads? Moog part number #K6147 says this will fit any 67-72 front end lower A-arm, yet my old 68s are clearly different and dont match up.. did i get the wrong ones? does Moog make a different shaft just for 68s?

[dwcsr]

The new shaft is machined for a improved dirt and water seal that rests on the lip that is not on the old one. As long as its the same over all length and diameter it will work. Be sure to follow the centering instructions from the manual.

[gunnersm82]

centering instructions? i just put 86 a arms/etc under my 69, and i just lined up the little holes with the dowels, and tightened the bushings/sleeves down on the shafts? is there something else to it? my manual doesnt specify anything about control arm shaft replacement...

[raycow]

73-up are the rubber bushing type - no threads.

Ray

[gunnersm82]

check. thanks, kinda started to panic there for a minute...

[57larry]

would it better to swap out to 73 & up?

[dwcsr]

I don't have a manual here but there is a procedure for centering the shaft in the arm so you get a proper caster adjustment. It measures off the front LCA ear back to the machined lip. No centering issues with later rubber bushings other that maybe pressing them in to far.

As far as swaping to rubber, The up side is no greasing, slighty better ride. The down is the suspension has more unwanted movement while cornering and it doesn't have as firm a ride as steel bushings. I personally would go later model LCA's and uppers to get the rubber bushings.

[gunnersm82]

admittedly, im in the process right now, and its fairly simple. there were some differences i noticed thus far.
header clearance. i had headers on the 69, they wont work with the 86 a arms, i think theyre a little wider. had to cut the header and likely commit to shorty headers in the future.
i used 86 a arms, evidently, in 86 they did not have the 1.25 inch rotors(which i already bought from summit based on general concensus here) so i had to go with 80 chevy calipers, and they seem to fit fine.
wheel bearings, dont know what theyre supposed to be but i used A3 and A5 wheel bearings.
cost and availability for parts is far worth it.

i havent put the center link/tie rods on yet, but they came off the 86 so they should be fine.
tried to keep the sway bar from the 86, but my 69 doesnt have provisions to mount it so it went. again, this things getting cruised every now and then, so i dont care much about cornering.

thats my .02

[SIXT8LOU]

hey thanks, all the info will come in handy, now its time to get it back together!

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by gunnersm82

admittedly, im in the process right now, and its fairly simple. there were some differences i noticed thus far.
header clearance. i had headers on the 69, they wont work with the 86 a arms, i think theyre a little wider. had to cut the header and likely commit to shorty headers in the future.
i used 86 a arms, evidently, in 86 they did not have the 1.25 inch rotors(which i already bought from summit based on general concensus here) so i had to go with 80 chevy calipers, and they seem to fit fine.
wheel bearings, dont know what theyre supposed to be but i used A3 and A5 wheel bearings.
cost and availability for parts is far worth it.

i havent put the center link/tie rods on yet, but they came off the 86 so they should be fine.
tried to keep the sway bar from the 86, but my 69 doesnt have provisions to mount it so it went. again, this things getting cruised every now and then, so i dont care much about cornering.

thats my .02

Do a search to find sway bar installs. That sway bar should fit directly to the frame but you may have to drill some holes and remove a few rivets.

[orange prostreet69]

Hey there gunnersm82, I put 86 suspension on my 69 as well, a-arms top an bottom, spindles, calipers, etc. I am having a hell of a time on my hedman headers I bought!! Would love to talk to ya if at all possible?? This has been holding me up for way too long! I am running a small block 350 with full length hedman headers and muncie M22 four speed. Any thoughts on what I need to do?? Thanks!

[gkesseru]

I ground off the sway bar bracket rivets off an 81 frame and mounted the bracket onto the 68 frame with grade 8 bolts. Fits fine.

[gunnersm82]

yeah i figured i could, but ultimately said "f" it for now. new issue ive run into as of this weekend...
power steering box didnt quite fit, had to cut a small notch out of the bumper bracket. looks to be ok now. shes got discs and power steering now(kind of, still needing brake lines and that whole power steering pump thing...)

as far as the headers go, mine were cheapo flowtechs from the checker auto parts. not sure how much space you need, but you could ding the headers to get it to fit, only drawback is it could burn a hole eventually. like i said, im just going to put the shorty headers on when it comes to that time.