I'm replacing my control arms (lower, front), and I can get new ones, but they are for the Z-28 (pronounced zed-twenty-eight up here). Will those be a direct fit?

 

My buddy just told me about the w-x-y-zed thing a few weeks ago

Suspension's the same, front and rear... everything bolts up, no problem. Are they the tubular ones?

 

No, they're just stock Z-28 arms. The one's on my car aren't too bad, but the holes for the sway bar link are really bad, and it will be way worth the money to just pop the new ball-joints and bushings in rather than screw around trying to fight 17 years worth of rust getting the old ones out. Plus a beefier suspension never hurt anyone... especially the way I take corners.

My gf works as a receptionist, and sometimes speaks to customers from the US and often she has to give them a postal (zip) code with a Z. So she says zed, and they say z-e-d? Then she realizes that the customer is from the US so she says, sorry that's zee.

 

That's cool; good idea, too... should work out to be less down-time for ya. Did you see my suspension rebuild messages? I gave info on how I got the bushings out...

I really gotta work on getting those pictures online one of these days...

 

Yes, it is "ZED"

 

I ordered the new Z28 control arms. $500 for those. Of course I could have got the V6 arms, but they weren't much less.

 

So there is a difference between the Z28 and V6 control arms? What is different between them, just find it odd that's all.

 

only difference is the position of the steering limiter- Its a tab that the spindle rotates and stops against to limit steering travel and prevents the tires from rubbing the wheelwells. The performance a-arms have the stop tab closer, limiting even more the turning radius.

Bushings and geometry are identical on both V6 and Z28 arms.

 

Wow, no kidding! Does that mean the 16" steering box with internal stops (to prevent rubbing of 16" wheels on the inner fender) is a myth? I wonder. Thanks for the info!

 

Hmm, I wonder why that is?

 

AGood2.8, are you saying that I won't be able to turn as hard? How much difference?

 

My car has the original V6 front control arms. Also has a quick ratio box. With the original 15" RS rims- no rubbing. When I changed to the Iroc rims it now rubs if I turn too sharp- If I were to change to the Iroc control arms, then the stop tabs would limit me sooner and the wider Iroc rims then would not rub at full lock.

 

Heres a pic to show rub spots. Note: the rims are factory '87 16" Irocs on an '87 RS V6 car with standard 245/50-16 size tires.

 

Well, as long as it's not too drastic, it will actually be a good thing to have it limited sooner. I'm still hoping to get IROC rims, and I already have oversized snow tires, which will rub really bad after I put in Suspension Techniques drop springs.