Newbie Question about Corvette C5 uprights

[Paul Dewing]

Ladies and gents, I'm trying to find a solution to using tubular A arms with Corvette C5 uprights on my car in principle. I've searched here with no specific answers.

I have found the necessary weld-on rings to accept the K727 lower ball joints required for the Corvette spindles/knuckles/uprights (they have the tapered hole in the mounting tab at the bottom- 7 degrees or 1 1/2" per foot taper), but the upper mounting of the Corvette uprights is a ball joint pressed in to the upright. I've found screw in ball joint collars to fit the end of my upper A arms (the collars are designed to accept a screw in ball joint, but that's already in place in the upright), but is there any alternative to having a piece specially machined to go into the screw in ball joint collar in the end of the upper A arm, with a 7 degree tapered hole in it, to accept the ball joint stud of the ball joint that's already in the upright? I don't particularly want to use a heim joint for this.... so how do I join the end of the upper A arm to the top of the Corvette upright please?

Thanks in advance,

K9

 

[Al Jones]

Do you have an aversion to using the C5 aluminum "A" arms, i.e., the whole package? After all, GM went to considerable time and expense to design a proper anti-dive, minimal bump steer arrangement, good brakes included.

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[Paul Dewing]

Hi, and thanks for taking the time to reply. No, I absolutely don't have an aversion to using the full Corvette set up, but I think I run out of space at the front... That's why I have to use tubular A arms, but want to keep Corvette hubs/brakes etc.

If that's your car in the picture, is there any chance you would be able to measure the width, and length of all of the A arms for me? Just being lazy I guess, but if it's convenient that may allow me to revisit the set up. If the car's put away or tricky to get to, I'll see if I can scare up a 'vette to crawl under..



Thanks,

K9

 

[Jim Cowden]

I gather these arms have not been manufactured yet.
If your upper ball joint is smaller than the lower then you may need to get a machine shop to make the same for the upper joint.

Its only a biscuit with a tapered hole, the 2 tubes merge onto the biscuit.
Like in Al s picture.

The supplier of the lower may help you out.
Am I getting it right as to your problem.

Jim

 

[Terry Oxandale]

Not the response you would look for, but couldn't you design and machine a simple press-in plug/adapter that could be taper-drilled to accomplish what you want? There are no vertical forces on this portion of the upright (sans stiction of the upper arm bushings), so a simple means of securing the press-in plug/adapter could be made.

 

[Lynn Erickson]

I am using C5 suspension on my project front and rear so if there are any dimensions that you need let me know

 

[Al Jones]

Paul - I would take Lynn up on his offer AND he may be able to offer some excellent advice on set-up. The picture I posted was a stock, on line photo; I haven't owned a 'Vette since my '66 427 roadster ( wish I had kept it now). Good luck with the project.
A.J.