You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BarryB · 07-27-2009, 04:44 PM

I want to see the replies before I tell what it is.

BarryB · 07-27-2009, 04:46 PM

OH it is a 68 truck frame, actually the frame I'm gunna use for my truck here soon.

Tx Firefighter · 07-27-2009, 04:50 PM

Nothing wrong with those arms. I wouldn't trust the guy who installed them though

BACKYARD88 · 07-27-2009, 04:56 PM

Trying to center the wheels in the fenders the easy way?

BarryB · 07-27-2009, 05:01 PM

Good eye but not why. It was actually done that for a reason, but it wasn't to center the wheel in the fender well.

**Hart_Rod** · 07-27-2009, 05:31 PM

Swapped the left and right ball joints?

Tx Firefighter · 07-27-2009, 05:33 PM

I'm sure it gave a ton more caster in alignment.

BarryB · 07-27-2009, 09:21 PM

Well I'd better post it up before it gets lost in the archives in this forum.
The PO that I purchased this from, swapped the passenger and drivers upper a-arms to there opposite sides. NOW, the reason, doing this he says, sets the caster back 9 degrees IIRC. and doing that will keep more of the tread on the raod when in a turn. Have you ever noticed an older car when its under a sharp turn the one front wheel looks like it only has an inch or wo of tire grabbing the road.
With setting your caster back, it actually keeps the tire flatter and more tread on the road. So basically you can kick the rearend around and the front will stay planted. And with my just moving the fram around I can see what exactly he was talking about. It's a cheap and easy suspension trick.

72BlckButy · 07-27-2009, 09:32 PM

I was going to guess the arms were on the opposite sides...

That's a new one for me about the caster changes.

dieselarmy13 · 07-27-2009, 10:34 PM

Interesting

67shortie · 07-27-2009, 11:13 PM

This has been brought up before, I don't kow if anyone has posted with real world results or experiences yet

BarryB · 07-28-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67shortie

This has been brought up before, I don't kow if anyone has posted with real world results or experiences yet

well this was a running driving truck before I yanked the frontend, and cab off it. The PO said it does take some getting used to driving it. I know I need to hurry up and get it back on the road so I can give you a " real world" experience.

Barn Owl · 07-28-2009, 12:12 AM

I just ordered a grand worth of front suspension stuff and will be interested if any one else has tried this trick with positive results. Since I will have the spindels off and the brakes out this would be easy to swap them around. I wonder though if the aftermarket UCA's have this greater caster angle already built into them?

prostreetC-10 · 07-28-2009, 12:57 AM

The fact that the PO says that it does take some time getting used to driving makes me wonder.......most of the P.O.S.'s that I have owed with worn out suspension "took some time" getting used to driving cuz they were scary as hell to drive. In this case, what did HE mean??

stllookn · 07-28-2009, 12:57 AM

These trucks...all trucks are light in the rear..."loose" in circle track terms. So why would you want the front end to be "tight" (over steer) and grab more? It will make the rearend problem worse?

71tahoe · 07-28-2009, 10:59 AM

I bet that much caster makes the steering VERY touchy. Notice the front wheels (casters) on a shopping cart? The axle to the swivel on the caster is the caster angle. When you push the cart the wheel drags and is behind the swivel (normal). Back up the cart and the wheels swivel the other way. When you reverse the caster on a car the wheel will want to turn around the other way so don't let go of the steering.

Tx Firefighter · 07-28-2009, 11:02 AM

It's the other way. Lots of caster makes the wheels want to stay running straight, which makes the steering much "heavier" feeling.

71tahoe · 07-28-2009, 11:30 AM

I stand corrected. I probably should have said "caster in the opposite direction" since he said it sets it "back" and not further back. If that configuration just increases the caster in the same direction I agree it would actually get a heavier feel. Also, I guess the front wheel on a bicycle is more like a car than a shopping cart is. I remember cutting the forks off an old bike and extending the front wheel by jamming them on the ends of the front forks. Really stable but harder to turn.

BarryB · 07-28-2009, 11:27 PM

YOu boys hit it on the head. It did give it a "heavier" steering. But I actually like my steering to be on the heavier side.
Heck anybody have a truck that they can do it to to get a real experience. it shouldn't mess to much with the tow in or out. Try and let us no for sure. My truck is far from being roadworthy, or I would tell you.

BarryB · 07-28-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stllookn

These trucks...all trucks are light in the rear..."loose" in circle track terms. So why would you want the front end to be "tight" (over steer) and grab more? It will make the rearend problem worse?

One reason to put it simply. Is to maintain control of your truck if the rear kicks around on ya. Gives you control of where your headed.

Spray-Bomb · 07-29-2009, 12:10 AM

Looks to me like them being swapped like that makes the spindle lean forwards & in my mind that would make it a twitchy SOB

I know on my VW I added caster shims to help it handle better with the rake it has & they rotated the spindles rearward

Correct me if Im wrong...

BarryB · 07-29-2009, 02:37 PM

If I get can get pics of the spindles I will but it is raining right now and has been all day. The spindle angles backwards with this swap.

fleetsidelarry · 07-31-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stllookn

These trucks...all trucks are light in the rear..."loose" in circle track terms. So why would you want the front end to be "tight" (over steer) and grab more? It will make the rearend problem worse?

Just curious, I thought "tight" was understeer (you have to crank in more wheel to turn) and "loose" is oversteer (rear end wants to come around)?

07-27-2009, 04:44 PM	#1
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? I want to see the replies before I tell what it is. Attached Images __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

07-27-2009, 04:46 PM	#2
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? OH it is a 68 truck frame, actually the frame I'm gunna use for my truck here soon. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

07-27-2009, 04:50 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? Nothing wrong with those arms. I wouldn't trust the guy who installed them though __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

07-27-2009, 04:56 PM	#4
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? Trying to center the wheels in the fenders the easy way? __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting

07-27-2009, 05:01 PM	#5
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? Good eye but not why. It was actually done that for a reason, but it wasn't to center the wheel in the fender well. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff! Last edited by BarryB; 07-27-2009 at 05:01 PM.

07-27-2009, 05:31 PM	#6
Hart_Rod ************* Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 17,837	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? Swapped the left and right ball joints? __________________ Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3

07-27-2009, 05:33 PM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? I'm sure it gave a ton more caster in alignment. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

07-27-2009, 09:21 PM	#8
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? Well I'd better post it up before it gets lost in the archives in this forum. The PO that I purchased this from, swapped the passenger and drivers upper a-arms to there opposite sides. NOW, the reason, doing this he says, sets the caster back 9 degrees IIRC. and doing that will keep more of the tread on the raod when in a turn. Have you ever noticed an older car when its under a sharp turn the one front wheel looks like it only has an inch or wo of tire grabbing the road. With setting your caster back, it actually keeps the tire flatter and more tread on the road. So basically you can kick the rearend around and the front will stay planted. And with my just moving the fram around I can see what exactly he was talking about. It's a cheap and easy suspension trick. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

07-27-2009, 09:32 PM	#9
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? I was going to guess the arms were on the opposite sides... That's a new one for me about the caster changes. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

07-27-2009, 10:34 PM	#10
dieselarmy13 Phone's ringin Dude. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,426	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? Interesting __________________ I pitty the fool with only two headlights!! 2003 SILVERADO SS--THE NEW GIRL 1972 GMC--THE OLD GIRL

07-27-2009, 11:13 PM	#11
67shortie Green club Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,059	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? This has been brought up before, I don't kow if anyone has posted with real world results or experiences yet __________________ 71 short/fleet ECE 4/6 drop, LQ4/700r4/3.42 gears 70 SS396 Chevelle 427/200-4R/3.73posi 61 Lincoln Continental, black on black Son you are going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop drivin that hot rod lincoln

07-28-2009, 12:12 AM	#13
Barn Owl Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego California Posts: 4	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? I just ordered a grand worth of front suspension stuff and will be interested if any one else has tried this trick with positive results. Since I will have the spindels off and the brakes out this would be easy to swap them around. I wonder though if the aftermarket UCA's have this greater caster angle already built into them? Last edited by Barn Owl; 07-28-2009 at 12:13 AM.

07-28-2009, 12:57 AM	#14
prostreetC-10 My Carbon Footprint Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,527	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? The fact that the PO says that it does take some time getting used to driving makes me wonder.......most of the P.O.S.'s that I have owed with worn out suspension "took some time" getting used to driving cuz they were scary as hell to drive. In this case, what did HE mean?? __________________ A quick "pedalfest" *Still getting loose (carb test)* 496 Initial fire up video! Last edited by prostreetC-10; 07-28-2009 at 12:57 AM.

07-28-2009, 12:57 AM	#15
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? These trucks...all trucks are light in the rear..."loose" in circle track terms. So why would you want the front end to be "tight" (over steer) and grab more? It will make the rearend problem worse? __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

07-28-2009, 10:59 AM	#16
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? I bet that much caster makes the steering VERY touchy. Notice the front wheels (casters) on a shopping cart? The axle to the swivel on the caster is the caster angle. When you push the cart the wheel drags and is behind the swivel (normal). Back up the cart and the wheels swivel the other way. When you reverse the caster on a car the wheel will want to turn around the other way so don't let go of the steering.



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07-28-2009, 11:02 AM	#17
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? It's the other way. Lots of caster makes the wheels want to stay running straight, which makes the steering much "heavier" feeling. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

07-28-2009, 11:30 AM	#18
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? I stand corrected. I probably should have said "caster in the opposite direction" since he said it sets it "back" and not further back. If that configuration just increases the caster in the same direction I agree it would actually get a heavier feel. Also, I guess the front wheel on a bicycle is more like a car than a shopping cart is. I remember cutting the forks off an old bike and extending the front wheel by jamming them on the ends of the front forks. Really stable but harder to turn.

07-28-2009, 11:27 PM	#19
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? YOu boys hit it on the head. It did give it a "heavier" steering. But I actually like my steering to be on the heavier side. Heck anybody have a truck that they can do it to to get a real experience. it shouldn't mess to much with the tow in or out. Try and let us no for sure. My truck is far from being roadworthy, or I would tell you. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

07-29-2009, 12:10 AM	#21
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? Looks to me like them being swapped like that makes the spindle lean forwards & in my mind that would make it a twitchy SOB I know on my VW I added caster shims to help it handle better with the rake it has & they rotated the spindles rearward Correct me if Im wrong... __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer

07-29-2009, 02:37 PM	#22
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: You Boys notcice anything different about these contol arms? If I get can get pics of the spindles I will but it is raining right now and has been all day. The spindle angles backwards with this swap. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

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