[FC] Control Arm Shaft Interchange

[Andrew Sego]

Bill,
 
I've got a front suspension taken apart and in the process of rebuilding.  Everything is sandblasted and ready for paint, but Murphy showed up Saturday, and my air compressor crapped the bed.  Anyway, I've looked into parts interchangability on these.  The lower shafts are the same as 58-64 full size Chevys.  The upper shafts, while they fit the 58-64 Impala upper arms, are different than the Impala ones.  At least they are different than 62-64 Impalas for sure.  The Impala's used an asymmetrically curved upper shaft to clear the steering column on the driver side.  They used the same shaft on the passenger side, although the curve isn't need there. The upper shafts on FC are a symmetrical curve.  In other words, the Impala shafts look more like a J curve, while the FC ones look like a C curve.  I don't know why the Impala shafts couldn't be used, perhaps they can since the arms are the same.  I would test fit a bare shaft on the crossmember
 and make sure you have clearance for the top shock mount. The length and diameters "should be" fine.
 
Andrew Sego

From: Bill McCurdy <eurobilly at gmail.com>
To: corvanatics at corvair.org
Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 9:04 PM
Subject: [FC] Control Arm Shaft Interchange

I am preparing to rebuild the front suspension on a ’61 Greenbrier this
winter. The lower shafts are worn & the bushings are …50 years old. I have
read in the Corvair SAE papers “the upper and lower control arms, the ball
joints, the steering knuckle, and the pivot shaft bushings are taken
directly from the large Chevrolet car.” I have good upper & lower shafts
from a ’61 Impala - would like to use them. I find it suspicious the pivot
shaft bushings are specifically referred to but not the shafts. Can anyone
confirm or deny if the upper & lower A-arm shaft interchangeable with the
full size car? I think a Hollander interchange manual would answer the
question, but I do not have access to one.

Thanks.


-- 
~Bill
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