[65 Lamnas]

Originally Posted by Squidward

I try to drive my 67 Fbird at least a few times a week. I recently noticed that I was getting wear on the tire inner edges. Last time I got it aligned, I told them give it as much caster as you can, and give me a tiny bit of negative camber.

I checked the camber, and I had a touch over -1 degree on driver side, -.5 passenger. I pulled out some shim to get to -.3 on the driver side, but the passenger side had no shims on the front, and a stack on the rear. So I have no more adjustment to reduce camber on the passenger side unless I sacrifice the caster.

1st gen factory steering specs don't leave a lot of adjustment. I have refurbed factory front suspension stuff. Thinking about replacing the control arms.

Is there a basic kit of control arms that give more modern adjustability? Not looking for exotic stuff, but something that gives a nice mild performance drive.

Thanks!

I’m more of an A-body guy and that’s where the lion's share of my knowledge resides, but the cars are similar enough that most of what I say should translate.

The cheaper route would be Moog’s offset upper shaft kits for the upper arms. New bushings shafts and hardware are included, 2 per car, K5250. It’s for solving the issue of “frame sag” and allowing additional camber adjustment when you’re out of shims, yet need to remove some.

When I went thru the suspension on my ‘65, I went withI Global West upper arms. They change the geometry a bit and allowed me to get about 5° of caster and 1/2° or so (can’t remember) of camber and have plenty of shims to play with.

I’m sure their F-body upper arms afford the same or similar improved geometry. They aren’t “exotic”, but they aren’t cheap Chinese crap either. www.globalwest.net

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by 65 Lamnas

I’m more of an A-body guy and that’s where the lion's share of my knowledge resides, but the cars are similar enough that most of what I say should translate.

The cheaper route would be Moog’s offset upper shaft kits for the upper arms. New bushings shafts and hardware are included, 2 per car, K5250. It’s for solving the issue of “frame sag” and allowing additional camber adjustment when you’re out of shims, yet need to remove some.

When I went thru the suspension on my ‘65, I went withI Global West upper arms. They change the geometry a bit and allowed me to get about 5° of caster and 1/2° or so (can’t remember) of camber and have plenty of shims to play with.

I’m sure their F-body upper arms afford the same or similar improved geometry. They aren’t “exotic”, but they aren’t cheap Chinese crap either. www.globalwest.net

Thanks, dude!

I am now contemplating whether to get some upper arms that have the caster inserted, or go with the offset shaft. I will need the offset shafts at a minimum. I've never encountered a suspension that needed this tweaking, but this is the only 1st gen I have and will ever own. 2nd gens are my jam, and they always just worked once you replaced worn out bushings.

I will look at the Global West stuff. With all of the other "budget" arms, what is the weak link? Is it the ball joint?

[rohrt]

Originally Posted by Squidward

Thanks, dude!

I am now contemplating whether to get some upper arms that have the caster inserted, or go with the offset shaft. I will need the offset shafts at a minimum. I've never encountered a suspension that needed this tweaking, but this is the only 1st gen I have and will ever own. 2nd gens are my jam, and they always just worked once you replaced worn out bushings.

I will look at the Global West stuff. With all of the other "budget" arms, what is the weak link? Is it the ball joint?

I used adjustable SPC arms on my 68. There are some pros and cons going this route. If I remember correctly I was able to get 3 deg of caster. I also used the SPC lower arms as well. They move the tire 1 deg to better center it when adding +Caster. I can run my 235/60 tires without rubbing. The upper arms have the 1/2" taller BJ for better camber curve.

They do work nice to being able to dial in the specs and at the same time a big PITA for other reasons.

I just looked at the price and wow everything is expensive these days.