drbobvs

So I've been thinking about getting lower control arms, but before i urchased them i thought i might take a look at mine. When i got under there i realized i didn't know what the originals looked like. Obviously, i'm no suspention guru so if some of you could do me a few favors:

1)Look a picture #1 and tell me what that bar is going from the bottom of the rear axle FOWARD to the frame with the brake line running through it.

2)In picture #2, what is that white colored bar going from what I think is the anti-sway bar to the frame?

3) In the third picture, what is the STRAIGHT bar that goes directly from one side of the body to the other. It's located in front of the anti-sway bar.

Which of these is the lower control arm and why should I change it (what benefits would I see)?

Thank in advance for all your help!


[IMG]local://upfiles/16153/1287419E915F4980AB0E13C20179EB74.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/16153/632203517DC0436B835C8970AF349658.jpg[/IMG]

drbobvs

Picture 3

[IMG]local://upfiles/16153/82C4747520BB4DF4BE52697D887B2120.jpg[/IMG]

spyder7724

in order
1=lower control arm
2=sway bar link
3=panhard bar
all of these are upgradable and as far as performance improvement you will notice the biggest difference in the LCA and panhard bar upgrades. just swapping the LCA's for stronger units that don't flex as much will almost eliminate wheel hop and improve handling and traction by 1000%!!!! i noticed a huge change just with the LCA's.

drbobvs

thanks spyder!

But that lower control arm though looks pretty beefy as it is, no? Did you have to diconnect the brake lines when you changed yours? Perhaps the benefit is more in the bushing than the bar. If so, are there just replacement bushings?

[IMG]local://upfiles/16153/1371B0571C12417DB9860D02FAEB1806.jpg[/IMG]

Rench

First things first, get some scotch brite and claen up that rust. Then paint with either Rustoleum or some guys have used brake caliper paint. I highly recommend the stiffer LCA and Upper LCA. The panhard is great for looks and a little more performance. If you are going with a lowering kit you may need the panhard to adjust the rear suspension.

Here's mine....................

[IMG]local://upfiles/22824/B7259EAA393243709CA5B96C303D36D3.jpg[/IMG]

06GT4RAD

Agreed! Here is what it can look like when you paint. I used VHT Brake Caliper Paint as it will hold up better than normal Rustaoleum type paint.








Richard

drbobvs

Thanks for the pics guys,

can you believe the rust, and my car NEVER sees rain! How did you clean up the parts before you painted? and how did you mask everything off?

drbobvs

I just ordered the BMR LCA's $119 on Ebay, free shipping. I'll post back when I get them installed.

[IMG]local://upfiles/16153/C9AA850FBBC84C838511283F5E7A2E63.jpg[/IMG]

06GT4RAD

I painted the underside the day after i brought the car home. And i taped everything off with the Blue Painters Tape.

Richard

Rench

I did mine while I was doing the control arms and gear change. I used Scotchbright pads and brake clean with a final wipe down of thinner to get everything prepped. I used Rustoleum primer and Rustoleum semigloss to finish the axle . I used aluminum engine paint and engine paint clearcoat on the diff cover. Mine looked a bit like yours before I started and yes........Mine never saw rain before either. I was a little suprised myself that it got that bad that quick. If you do all while it's dis-asembled the masking is minimal, but same here, where it's needed use blue painters tape.