#1  
Old 02-05-2020, 11:59 PM
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Scarebird Scarebird is offline
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Default Spherical joints for the 64-72 A's

4 links are nice setups, but one of the issues is that they bind.
Jonny joints and Roto joints can resolve this - but are expensive. I noted Speedway motors had a setup for the 73-88 A/G bodies but nothing for the earlier cars (a reversal no doubt!). 2 diiferences arise: inner sleeve length is 0.100" shorter and the inner diameter is 0.562" vs. 0.500" for the earlier cars.

This is solvable. The part Speedy Bill sells has a shell with the same OD dimensions as the earlier cars and uses a pair of hollow plugs to adapt the spherical joints. The joint is pressed in and retained with a pair of snap rings.
I ordered some 7/8" Ø round stock and will machine it to adapt for my 71 LeMans.




removing bushings is so much fun -



I ordered a pair of Delrin bearings from McMaster-Carr whish just happened to be the exact size as the pieces Speedy sold - I intend to use these on the diff's upper arms on the ears as there is no good way to lube them after install. The others I will modify the shell to take a Zerk.
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  #2  
Old 02-06-2020, 01:50 PM
JC455 JC455 is offline
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VERY cool!!!
Can't wait to see what you do on this- has me thinking about the 64-only ear bushings too.

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  #3  
Old 02-07-2020, 04:31 AM
Geoff Geoff is offline
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If this is for a road car, cannot see any reason to change something that has worked fine for decades....& on millions of cars.

  #4  
Old 02-07-2020, 09:24 AM
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MecGen MecGen is offline
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Johnny joint are popular in the Gbody world, some have found it makes the ass a little squirrelly. Some guys chose where they put these, just uppers or just lowers.

Are you going for all 8 corners 4 or 2 ?

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Old 02-07-2020, 10:50 AM
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All 8.

Geoff - if you note the construction of newer cars the trailing arm bushings are molded to allow more articulation. Ours were done on the cheap.

  #6  
Old 02-07-2020, 11:33 AM
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I had picked up some circle track spherical A arms bushing awhile back for an F body and I did not like the fact they used aluminum for the adapter plugs. Seemed to soft to me.

I want to think I have an old ad/article for sphericals from a circle track company for early A bodies.

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  #7  
Old 02-12-2020, 01:07 PM
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Nice work!

.

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  #8  
Old 07-16-2022, 01:30 PM
bob prichard bob prichard is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scarebird View Post
4 links are nice setups, but one of the issues is that they bind.
Jonny joints and Roto joints can resolve this - but are expensive. I noted Speedway motors had a setup for the 73-88 A/G bodies but nothing for the earlier cars (a reversal no doubt!). 2 diiferences arise: inner sleeve length is 0.100" shorter and the inner diameter is 0.562" vs. 0.500" for the earlier cars.

This is solvable. The part Speedy Bill sells has a shell with the same OD dimensions as the earlier cars and uses a pair of hollow plugs to adapt the spherical joints. The joint is pressed in and retained with a pair of snap rings.
I ordered some 7/8" Ø round stock and will machine it to adapt for my 71 LeMans.




removing bushings is so much fun -



I ordered a pair of Delrin bearings from McMaster-Carr whish just happened to be the exact size as the pieces Speedy sold - I intend to use these on the diff's upper arms on the ears as there is no good way to lube them after install. The others I will modify the shell to take a Zerk.
Are these bushings similar to the RideTech R bushings? I am changing my diff. and looking at alternatives to the urethane bushings on the ears. Thanks.

  #9  
Old 07-16-2022, 03:10 PM
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Bob, I have no clue about the Ridetech pieces.

I did drive the Lemans 2,500 miles or so with no issues

  #10  
Old 07-16-2022, 04:44 PM
bob prichard bob prichard is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scarebird View Post
Bob, I have no clue about the Ridetech pieces.

I did drive the Lemans 2,500 miles or so with no issues
Ok, thank you.

  #11  
Old 08-06-2022, 03:12 PM
389 389 is offline
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I made my own about ten years ago when the Johnny Joints came out. If you take the car to an alignment shop. Make sure they don't tighten each arm up with it fully extended to each side. You want them to be tightened up on the same side. You should be able to twist both lower control arms side to side about 15 to 20 degrees. The upper arms have rubber bushings on the rear end so they shouldn't be moving. However, it's important to have a spherical on the frame side of the arm.

On my 69 el Camino, I use Spohn Del Sphere rear bars. They are excellent quality, and the price is very fair.

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