rear control arm options

[kuruption109]

as some of you kno im don a frame off resto of my malibu looking at many diff options as far as suspension..so my question is should i go with aftermarket rear control arms or just reuse my factory control arms and jus have new bushings installed? any and all opinions welcomed

 

[565bbchevy]

I vote for the aftermarket control arms besides not having the unwanted flex of the factory ones you have the option of getting adjustable uppers so you can set your pinion angle with different ride heights and power levels and besides the fact that every suspension manufacturer out there pretty much makes them for g-bodies which really keeps the price competitive

 

[pontiacgp]

I'd use the stock lowers boxed with new bushings but for the uppers I'd use the UMI with the roto joint so there is no binding and you get a solid upper control arm...

 

[Longroof79]

I was also going to suggest boxing the lower control arms. Aftermarket arms are nice depending on your budget.

 

[kuruption109]

thanks guys for the info and feedback chkn out umi perf and i think i might go with this setup.. but in black
http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/i ... ucts_id=79

 

[84cutspreme]

I would personally recommend going with adjustable upper control arms, also the roto joints on the uppers is a great improvement over stock style bushing.

I love the Hotchkis set I bought!! only reason I wouldn't recommend them is because I realized too late after looking @ a friends UMI's that the bushings on the Hotchkis are not rebuild-able...Currie also makes a nice set. All the aftermarket companies each have their own type of roto-joint type bushing. Having them on the body side of the uppers is leaps and bounds better than my old stock arms. Aftermarkets are stronger, better looking, and better for suspension geometry.

 

[pontiacgp]

thanks guys for the info and feedback chkn out umi perf and i think i might go with this setup.. but in black
http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/i ... ucts_id=79

the lowers are nice but I would go with these for the upper..I have the conversion uppers like these and they really work well giving enough rotation so there is no binding. There are a few others using them, I know JBrue is using the conversion style for his 12 bolt rear. Also I am changing my lowers since the angle is a little different on my rear end so I need one roto joint on the lowers as well so if your not in a real big hurry I'd be happy to let you have my lowers and you just pay the shipping. The lowers are boxed and they have poly bushings and the spacers for the sway bar are in the control arms. You could always use your stock ones if need be until I can send you mine.

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/i ... cts_id=373

 

[Bowiemontecarlo86]

How do those adjustable one work? Do they ship them in a stock platform or do you have to adjust the uppers when you install? how do you know you have them adjusted right?

 

[pontiacgp]

I measure it using using this...they are not shipped adjusted for any rear. What you can do to make it easy is change one at a time so you keep the angle you have

 

[84cutspreme]

Most of the control arms say they come adjusted for stock...but I don't trust that, you are better off taking the measurements and knowing it's right.