Something I did not know about the front end

Posted: 8/4/14 3:42pm Message 1 of 6

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Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1755

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

When I bought my 73 I noticed that the drivers tire would rub the frame when I made a sharp left turn right at the attachment point of the steering box bolts. I switch from a 225/70-15 tire to a 235/60-15 tire a while back and the issue went away because the new tire was about and 1" shorter the the old tire. Now I changed tires again and went back to the 225/70-15 and the first thing I noticed was the issue returned. My brother was over yesterday and he found the problem. There is suppose to be a small tab on the side of the A-arm to stop the wheel from turning so far that it hits the frame. I will be fixing it soon.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

Re: Something I did not know about the front end

Posted: 8/4/14 7:39pm Message 2 of 6

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Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Joined: 11/8/2003

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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Someone else had the same problem a few years ago.....I went a took a pic of my front suspension to point that out. The spindle has a fairly large boss on it that will bottom on that little "tab" on the control arm. A lot of the time, that thing is just plain worn down from being rubbed on constantly over the years. Sometimes....it just breaks off. Glad you found the problem, anyway. You going to replace the arm, or weld a new stop onto it?

Joel Adams
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Re: Something I did not know about the front end

Posted: 8/5/14 4:12pm Message 3 of 6

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Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1755

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

I was thinking of placing a bolt and nut in that spot but if I can borrow a welder I will just fix it

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

Re: Something I did not know about the front end

Posted: 8/6/14 10:49am Message 4 of 6

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F4Gary

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Grapevine, TX - USA

Joined: 8/26/2006

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Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.

I wonder what year they started putting that on there? Both sides?

Re: Something I did not know about the front end

Posted: 8/6/14 4:06pm Message 5 of 6

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danascar

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Germansville, PA - USA

Joined: 1/28/2010

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Vette(s): 1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.

Yup...had the same problem with my 74 but I also switched tire sizes and problem went away. I will have new tab welded on sometime when close to a welder.

DanT

Re: Something I did not know about the front end

Posted: 8/7/14 9:43am Message 6 of 6

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Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

F4Gary said: I wonder what year they started putting that on there? Both sides?

All Corvettes from at least 1965-1982 had them. Might have started in '64, but I'm pretty sure all of the disc brake cars had this little "nub" on the rear side of the lower control arms. It does get worn down from use over the years, or if someone has replaced the arm, it may be gone. Tongue

Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Topic: Something I did not know about the front end

in Forum: C3 Handling Components