Bent USPS Front Control Arm (1 Viewer)

[OGBeno]

USPS side bent inward...thought these were indestructible....

In any event, looks like I'll be springing for Christo's control arms much sooner than I thought and going up to the Slee 4" much sooner than I thought....


-o-
Boston, MA

EDIT: Doesn't seem as interesting as I thought....

 

[elmariachi]

I just can't believe those suckers would bend...not really sure how it happened.

They will bend.

 

[Bob_Garrett]

Beno, I have a straight stock PS arm if you're interested.

 

[Mickldo]

I've seen a few bend too.

An old trick with Rovers is to heat and bend the control arms to correct castor. Don't think you can do this to the 80s as IIRC they have a different grade of metal in the arms.

 

[OGBeno]

ok, wow....I guess they can bend.

Hmmmm...

Thanks for the offer Bob, but I think I will just use it as is for a bit and just upgrade soon...it gives me the impetus to do so.

Thanks for the pics Jim. yours looks even worse than mine....

 

[cruiserdan]

The stock arms fit either side. If replacing one with a used arm pay attention to the orientation of the bushings. Toyota changed the "clocking" of the bushings in November 1995 production. You need to make sure the bushings on both arms are "clocked" in the same direction. mixing them up is not a good idea. According to Toyota the later clocking is prefered so I would make an early arm match a late arm as opposed to going the other way.


D-

 

[concretejungle]

Dan, what do you mean by clocked? I ask this because i went with castor plates and so i put the OEM bushings back in. I have been having a pull to the right and assumed it was tire pull. If the bolt-hole is through the center, how can they be installed incorrectly?

 

[cruiserdan]

The stock bushings are not solid, they have two small holes in them 180 degrees apart. I am refering to the orientation of the holes.

 

[RavenTai]

How did you bend it? I have only seen them bend after a collision

 

[OGBeno]

How did you bend it? I have only seen them bend after a collision

Good question RT. Not sure myself. Wheeled the 2nd weekend of April at the Badlands, IN, and things were kosher afterwards.

The only thing I can think of is that I had the USDS up on jack stands for about a week, thereby putting pressure, weight and I guess possibly torque on the USPS. After I brought the rig down, I had a loud squeaking which I thought was a shock bushing--until I looked and saw the sway bar rubbing against the control arm and making the squeaking sound.

Still not sure. Though I do know now that I have a bent arm.

Christo said 6-8 weeks on their new control arms. At that point, I'll just go ahead and upgrade to the Slee 4" (springs, shocks and control arms--I've got the rest of the DIY adjustables installed already). The new arms, according to Christo, will not necessitate the upgrade to a DC drie shaft....hopefully...

-o-

 

[OGBeno]

The stock arms fit either side. If replacing one with a used arm pay attention to the orientation of the bushings. Toyota changed the "clocking" of the bushings in November 1995 production. You need to make sure the bushings on both arms are "clocked" in the same direction. mixing them up is not a good idea. According to Toyota the later clocking is prefered so I would make an early arm match a late arm as opposed to going the other way.


D-

Thanks Dan. I have the TSB for this one. Also, I have the OME bushing in their now and I will probably press them out of the stock arms and install on the new Slee arms.

Like Dan said, the orientation of the bushings changed...the FSM, IIRC, was updated to show this changed orientation.

 

[Darwood]

Christo said 6-8 weeks on their new control arms. At that point, I'll just go ahead and upgrade to the Slee 4" (springs, shocks and control arms--I've got the rest of the DIY adjustables installed already). The new arms, according to Christo, will not necessitate the upgrade to a DC drie shaft....hopefully...

This is interesting news. I really don't see how a different arm design could eliminate the need to run a DC drive shaft. The only thing that could do this would be the ability to dial in the pinion angle, which would also affect the caster degrees. Caster and pinion angle are directly proportional unless you cut and turn the knuckles.

Sorry about the hijack. I too am surprised you bent the stock arms... you need to do something special to bend those.

 

[mooker82]

USPS side bent inward...thought these were indestructible....

In any event, looks like I'll be springing for Christo's control arms much sooner than I thought and going up to the Slee 4" much sooner than I thought....


-o-
Boston, MA

EDIT: Doesn't seem as interesting as I thought....

When I first read this I thought the US Postal Service had bent one during shipping. I knew they were rough on packages but WOW. Maybe Im just an idiot.

 

[OGBeno]

When I first read this I thought the US Postal Service had bent one during shipping. I knew they were rough on packages but WOW. Maybe Im just an idiot.

sorry Mooker....United States Passenger Side.....

 

[OGBeno]

This is interesting news. I really don't see how a different arm design could eliminate the need to run a DC drive shaft. The only thing that could do this would be the ability to dial in the pinion angle, which would also affect the caster degrees. Caster and pinion angle are directly proportional unless you cut and turn the knuckles.

Sorry about the hijack. I too am surprised you bent the stock arms... you need to do something special to bend those.

Darwood--

I emailed Christo about the 4" set up and IIRC the new arms would not necessitate a DC drive shaft...though I could have read the email incorrectly.

I do not have the email correspondence in front of me right now as I am not at home for another few days.

I'll check this and confirm when I return.

-o-

 

[Darwood]

Darwood--

I emailed Christo about the 4" set up and IIRC the new arms would not necessitate a DC drive shaft...though I could have read the email incorrectly.

I do not have the email correspondence in front of me right now as I am not at home for another few days.

I'll check this and confirm when I return.

-o-

Sounds good. Well 4" doesn't always necessitate a DC driveshaft so maybe that's it, or maybe arms with less caster correction? I'm curious now.

 

[notyourmomslx450]

They will bend.

Is that from your 80 that got totaled? If it is, you're cheating!

 

[cruiserdan]

Is that from your 80 that got totaled? If it is, you're cheating!

Actually a Starbucks curb confrontation..................

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

Onur,
Just saw the thread. Sh#t man. Can't see how that would happen unless the jack was right under were it bent.

If you need to limp it around until the the 4", let me know, there's a rolled 80 at a local junkyard that should still have these on.

 

[T Y L E R]

Sounds good. Well 4" doesn't always necessitate a DC driveshaft so maybe that's it, or maybe arms with less caster correction? I'm curious now.

Derek, all trucks are different. I may have been one of the first guinea's for the 4"/Christo arms sans DC shaft. Works like a charm .. I'm hoping most everyone will find it works on their 80, regardless of the subtle truck differences.

Here's to impetii !


TY