Hi guys. I tried to look for a lower control arm for my 86 IROC. But here in all the junk yards, all they got are Berlinettas, and RS of all years (that apply for the model at hand). This is my issue. I need to find a replacement but I dont know if my 86 IROC control arm is compatible with other models. Does anybody know if they are all the same?

This is why I need a new or used one, Notice the whole balljoint moving inside the control arm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFPUcS_PXFw

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Aa7v...eature=related

 

that's just bad ball joints just stop by the parts store and replace them they will also show you what tools you need.

 

That's a pretty bad joint issue - I see the bottom of the joint wiggling, so the hole has rounded out on the arm.

You could try an oversized ball joint maybe. Or maybe the joint is tight in the arm and just busted inside the ball joint.

Anyway - all the control arms should be the same - that's not a part that would be different. Better performance packages from factory just had bigger sized sway bars, the "wonderbar" steering brace, rear disc brakes, maybe stiffer springs and better shocks, but the arms will all be the same, so you can grab anyone of them.

 

Thanks Camaronewbie. My uncle is a mechanic and he told me that it was the lower control arm that rounded out. I was told that I can weld in a balljoint, or weld in a plate or cylinder IF I wanted to keep the control arm. But Im not into doing that. There is plenty of c. arms that are so cheap in the yards. Well thanks guys. Peace

 

Just to clarify: Yes, all 82-92 front control arms are interchangeable.

And on a side note, there really is no "lower" or "upper" control arm on a 3rd gen. They are a single control arm design.

 

Yup. You cant really say lower because there is no upper. Just look at this diagram.

 

There are differences in a-arms, some possibly more desirable than others, depending on what you're looking for (please glance through the entire link):

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...arms-same.html

The "stop" is number 17 in the above link.

JamesC

 

Interesting.

Didn't know that.

 

Just beautiful!!!!!! So I need to find me a stock 83 .5 - 92 Third Gen with 16 " wheel stops. JamesC, thanks for the link buddy +++++. I so there are 3 different types.

 

The 16" didn't appear until 85.

JamesC

 

JamesC,, You got me!!!! I stand corrected. IROC's started in 85. My 86 has 16". Did the 85 have the 16" wheel?

 

Yes, an 85 IROC is equipped with 16's.

JamesC

 

Good to know. .

 

Ok guys. Im desperate and I need help as in tonight because tommorrow (Thursday) Im going to hit the junk yard early in the morning. So my understanding is that the 16" (85-92) wheel has the large ear right? So then does the 92 RS have 16" wheels? In otherwords, Is my 86 IROC's front control arrns the same as the 92 RS's control arm?

 

Its not a huge pressing matter. They will all bolt in. Try for one 85-92 to prevent any kind of balljoint issues. I have had 15 inch wheels and 16 inch wheels on one car and havent noticed anything different, no issues. In fact, my IROC came equipped with 15" IROC wheels from the factory, and I now have 16" IROC wheels on it, no problems!

 

OK but my question is whether or not my IROC is the same as a RS, givin that my IROC is a Z/28. I've read that there was a difference in the steering stop ( the ear that limits the turn of the wheels ). As we all know, you cant get your money back if the part is wrong.

 

my 1992 has 16's from factory - most i've seen had them as well

 

Great. Thanks for the reply. I just needed a bit of reassurance. Now I feel comfortable on buying from the junkyard. Thanks camaronewbie.

 

Usually the door placard will provide the info you're looking for.

JamesC

 

Just got back from the junkyard. Took the control arm off in about 2 hours......Yup, it took the junkyard guys 2 long hours under a blazing sun with a temp of 108*. The problem was that there was those security lugnuts (2 per wheel). So after waiting in the office, I asked the desk man what was the problem. He radio'd the guy and got a ear full of back talk, in spanish (which I understand). . It was funny as hell. They went at it over the walkie. So we jumped in the golf cart and went to the location. I told the guy all he had to do is disconnect the tie rods, seperate the balljoint, slowly lower the forklift to allow the decompression of the spring and CLING. That spring would of caused serious damage had the guy not move after I told him. Then he removed both studs that hold the bushings. In my presence, it took 15 minutes after I told em what to do. Let me tell you, they sure destroyed the 16 RS wheels. There was aluminum shards and pieces everywhere as they tried to make a hole bigger than the luggnut. But hey, I got my new/used control arm.

 

New issue guys. I pulled out my new bushings and I was struck with disapointment. The bushings that I bought are all the same but when I looked at the control arm, I noticed that there was a large one (rear of arm) and a smaller one (front of arm). So my question is, are there two different bushings on our control arms that support the 16" wheels? Here is a copy of a page from AZ and there are obviously 2 different sizes, but does front and rear mean the front of the control arm and rear of the control arm? Here is what Im talking about here... http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=search

 

Enough time has passed since I did mine that I don't recall. However, take note of the ES version from Spohn (the sizes appear different):

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-Bushings.html

JamesC

 

I do believe that they are different. I went to AZ earlier and I bought the so called rear bushings. I hope that they are proper size. The control arm that I got from the junkyard belongs to a 92 RS.

 

Here she is, the driverside control arm from junkyard

 

And the otherside. I havent rented out the balljoint puller yet but tommorrow, she'll be out of there. Also here is the pic of the larger bushing. I had to cut it up with my Saws All just to get it out. I messed with it for about an hour just pounding away and even spraying penetrating oil. Finally I decided to whip out the battery powered saw and hacked away. This time it only took 1 minute or so.

 

Just some information on the controll arms that I've come across. The controll arms from the 78-87 metric G chassis (monte carlo, buick regal, Olds cutlas) are Identical to the 84 Z28 and 88 T/A I have.

 

No kidding. Talk about compatibility. How did you figure that one out duckmanquacker?

 

Racing an IMCA stockcar and needed frontend parts.

 

AAHHHHH-HHHA

 

Okay guys. the 92 RS Control Arm is an exact match to my 86 IROC Control Arm. The 16" wheel is confirmed by me. Follow up on the suspension. I got the passenger side suspension up and it just needs to be tightened up to its recommended torque (ft. lbs). I must say that Im happy to be here typing to you guys. Me and my uncle compressed the spring and we put it up into the upper base. We then put the jack under the control arm and began to lift up the C.A. so that I can bolt up the strut and stabilizer bar via links. As we approached the proper level to insert the links bolt, there was a long pop along with a spark coming from the spring. My uncle said it's ok and to continue on with the link. I said hell no, lets re adjust the spring compressor. As soon as I got up from the ground (I was facing the wheel well) there was another pop, then CLING CLING CLING CLING. The dang spring popped out, flew and nailed the shelf full of repair manuals. The lord knows what would of been my fate had I stayed sitting down. But This wasnt gonna stop me. We reset and accomplished the job. Come to find out, the jack's wheel came off which made the jack unstable.

 

Glad you're still with us!

 

UPDATE!!!! Finally done with some ups, and downs. The downs first. I still got the clunk that increases with speed so Im 100% positive that my wheel bearings are bad. The positives are that now when I go from park to drive or reverse, there is no loud clunk (due to bad ball joint). The other good but very odd thing is that my IROC now chirps the tires when the auto tranny shifts gears (when I floor it of course).
Other than that, the ride is now more smoother (new Monroe gas struts). She doesnt bounce anymore when I hit a small dip. Very with the results.