Today I finally made it to a local junkyard for the first time in a couple months and they had a pretty beat up 84 coupe there. As I was looking around I noticed the lower front control arm looks different then the control arm I have on my 87 GT. The control arm itself actually looked a little stronger to me. Did they make different lower (and maybe upper) control arms for different years?, and are any ones better then other ones?

Jason

Edit to add pictures:

84 Arm?


85-87 Arm?

[This message has been edited by BrewCheese (edited 09-16-2006).]

If I remember correctly the 84 arms are different from the 85-87 arms. I believe that someone had mentioned that the 84 arms were stamped out of a heavier gauge steel. I'm sure someone will pipe up with the information.

Nolan

i thought the original 84 arms were made out of lighter steel and were prone to bending.just what i remember.

That could be true, and I'm all mixed up.

I can't quote on the strength but the 84 had a worse turning radius than the 85-87 cars. GM made an update in 85 and was able to reduce the turning radius. I have never really heard of any problems in either car with flexing or breaking.

I have considered boxing the control arms on my V8, but have not yet had a real reason to do it.
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85GT 5spd ,93 Eldorado 4.9 Dual O2 Custom Chip, Archie Clutch. Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything 245/50/16's Not Your Average 4.9 Capt Fiero Com --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Stock.

[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 09-16-2006).]

Believe it or not, they are interchangeable. I fitted a 1984 lower control arm to a 1987 gt with very little trouble.Had to, because it was all I had. Made no apparent difference to the steering, and that was nearly 2 years ago.
Nick

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I guy in the local club switched out just one due to a bent arm. The spring seat is higher, making the car sit uneven. Just just put the other 84 arm and and is still driving on them.

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Dana Mitchell
Member of the Gateway Fiero Club
86 SE Red w/ Black 3.2L w/ T-440, 87 GT Maroon w/ Silver Auto, 87 GT Blue w/ 5-Speed
95 Impala SS, 95 Roadmaster Estate Wagon w/ Air Ride (In Paint)
07 Silverado Classic Crew Cab 5.3L, 06 HHR (wife's ride), 91 CBR1000F

Thanks for the info so far! Is one stronger or better then the other? Are the uppers different too or not?

Thanks,
Jason

The 84s are stronger in the bushing area for sure. When I built my 85GT I used them for that reason.
ken