#1  
Old 01-19-2023, 06:22 PM
cdnturboz's Avatar
cdnturboz cdnturboz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 69
Default OPGI Front Tubular Control Arms

Hi there - I have a 72 GTO that I'm in the process of redoing the frame/suspension.

I had originally purchased all new stock rubber control arm bushings and new proforged balljoints. When I pushed out the stock balljoints from the lower control arms I found a crack in the in the control arm.

In addition the cross shafts in the upper arms are seized and require replacement.

I figure by the time I source "new" used lower control arms, take all the bushings out, buy new cross shafts and get the arms sandblasted/powder coated i'll easily be in the $500-600 range plus i'll have to install all new bushings yet. (prices in Canada are much more expensive I find)

Looking on OPGI's website I found a set of tubular control arms for about $450 which with exchange will be pretty close to the same money. My question is has anyone run them before? are they any good?

I worry about the quality of the balljoints (which I guess I could remove the new ones from the arm and use my proforged ones). But how about the bushings they use and/or the welding?

Any experience/info on these would be great,

Thanks,
Steve M.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Capture.jpg
Views:	117
Size:	39.5 KB
ID:	605558  

__________________
1972 Pontiac Le Mans GTO
  #2  
Old 01-19-2023, 06:52 PM
Lemans64's Avatar
Lemans64 Lemans64 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada
Posts: 1,811
Default

Same one's from performance world for 629 cdn. But sorry I cannot vouch for quality. Price is right though. Might save some shipping.
http://www.performance-world.com/Con...m-p/847640.htm

__________________
64 Lemans hardtop
4spd, buckets
  #3  
Old 01-19-2023, 07:36 PM
OG68's Avatar
OG68 OG68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Posts: 1,475
Default

Check out the Lever Family Racing website. They restore control arms.

https://www.lever-family-racing.com/...arms-version-2

__________________
Ed

1968 GTO (Thanks Mom)
2006 Silverado
2007 Cadillac SRX
2015 Chevy Express

  #4  
Old 01-19-2023, 11:26 PM
JLMounce JLMounce is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 3,679
Send a message via AIM to JLMounce
Default

These are the China knock-offs of the global west arms. The construction of the arms is fine. In fact I’d call it good.

What makes them cheap is the hardware they are using. You should absolutely change the ball joints. The bushings are kind of a crap shoot it seams. The set I had on my wife’s 71 Chevelle had really loose bushings that were noisy as hell. Others here have had good luck with the bushings.

I also don’t like the rod end setup these arms use for the sway bar end links. There’s nothing wrong with a rod end style end link, but again the ones provided are cheap and cause a bit of noise.

__________________
-Jason
1969 Pontiac Firebird
  #5  
Old 01-19-2023, 11:54 PM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 948
Default

I’ve heard the ball joints don’t last very long as well.

  #6  
Old 01-20-2023, 01:01 AM
Sirrotica's Avatar
Sirrotica Sirrotica is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Catawba Ohio
Posts: 7,194
Default

Speedway has new stock lower control arms, bare, for $92 each, you can put your stock parts in a new control arm.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/New-1...rms,45214.html

They also have the tubular ones in a 4 piece set for $485.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1964-...rms,81680.html

These ones are designed for dirt track cars, I can't imagine that they put the crap chinesium ball joints in them, but I'd ask them before buying them.

__________________
Brad Yost
1973 T/A (SOLD)
2005 GTO
1984 Grand Prix

100% Pontiacs in my driveway!!! What's in your driveway?

If you don't take some of the RACETRACK home with you, Ya got cheated

  #7  
Old 01-22-2023, 12:56 AM
cdnturboz's Avatar
cdnturboz cdnturboz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 69
Default

Thanks for the info guys

Are the control arm bushings in those arms replaceable ? Sounds maybe like a crazy idea but if say those poly bushings are the same size as a stock control arm bushing I could just put stock style bushings in?

Ie basically at this point by the control arms for the arms themselves and swap out all the cheap hardware/bushings

__________________
1972 Pontiac Le Mans GTO

Last edited by cdnturboz; 01-22-2023 at 01:19 AM.
  #8  
Old 02-12-2023, 10:17 PM
bawdgoat's Avatar
bawdgoat bawdgoat is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 7
Default Global West knock off

I'm currently dealing with these atm for my 68 GTO.

Overall quality of the weldments for uppers and lowers seems good. Ball joints don't look terrible but I'm replacing mine anyways.

The bushing for the uppers are sloppy though. They are comprised of an aluminum sleeve with a nylon insert. The sleeve should be a press fit into the arms, but mine have around .008" clearance. I'll be machining new aluminum sleeves oversize to take up the slop to the arm and reusing the nylon bushing.

Lowers don't seem to have the same issue and seem fine.

Alternatively, one could knurl the OD of the bushings and use retaining compound to secure them in place.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Upper Control arm mount.jpg
Views:	97
Size:	57.1 KB
ID:	607111   Click image for larger version

Name:	Upper Control arm bushing.jpg
Views:	90
Size:	49.7 KB
ID:	607112  

__________________
68 GTO, 412, 3.73, LGT700 5 speed, hydraboost, FiTech
  #9  
Old 02-14-2023, 08:55 PM
cdnturboz's Avatar
cdnturboz cdnturboz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 69
Default

Thanks for the info - I think it’s a lot of effort to swap that all over for me - ended up finding a stock set of lower control arms that I’ll disassemble and change out the bushings for new rubber.

__________________
1972 Pontiac Le Mans GTO
  #10  
Old 02-14-2023, 08:58 PM
OG68's Avatar
OG68 OG68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Posts: 1,475
Default

Carefully check the area around the lower ball joint for cracks in the metal.

__________________
Ed

1968 GTO (Thanks Mom)
2006 Silverado
2007 Cadillac SRX
2015 Chevy Express

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:37 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017