LCA pivot shaft is bent, what now.

[Cordoba78]

Hello.
My lca pivot shafts are a little bit bent, i have two spare shafts that also are a little bit bent.
I have checked all the shafts for straightness in a lathe, and no one is straight.
The straightness varies a bit between the shafts, when i put the control arm end of the shafts in a lathe, the threaded end is off by everything from 1,5 mm to about 3,2 mm (1/16" to 1/8")
Is it normal for these shafts to have a slight bend, or should they be absolutely straight?
Can the shafts be used, or do i have to realize that i need new ones?

 

[furyus]

I think PST carries new ones. I've never checked mine that accurately. But if I knew they were bent, I would replace them.

 

[67 GTX]

I've never fully checked the shafts, but I have experienced bent control arms where the spindle attaches.
They should be pretty straight, but I would give PST a call and confirm with them. They are very honest and I had a great experience with them.

They do have new ones, and if you still have to get the old bushings off of yours, the aggravation of getting the old metal sleeve off of it isn't worth it. In the future, I'm just going to buy a new set.

 

[Cordoba78]

I don't think PST have new shafts for my car (1978 Cordoba), but i know Firm Feel have them, i think i might buy a set of new shafts from them.
I'm not sure, but if i reuse my old shafts, could that result in alignment problems?

 

[1967coronet440]

I don't think PST have new shafts for my car (1978 Cordoba), but i know Firm Feel have them, i think i might buy a set of new shafts from them.
I'm not sure, but if i reuse my old shafts, could that result in alignment problems?

Yes, and safety concerns. Not worth risking a failure over a few bucks, get new ones.

 

[gkent]

These sit and pivot in a rubber mount. Given the bend is slight I wouldn't worry about it. Once installed the torsion bars should help to position the LCA's and the rubber mounts will absorb the slight bend.

 

[1967coronet440]

These sit and pivot in a rubber mount. Given the bend is slight I wouldn't worry about it. Once installed the torsion bars should help to position the LCA's and the rubber mounts will absorb the slight bend.

You’d think the structural integrity has been compromised after the bend, I wouldn’t put it on my car.

 

[Cranky]

You’d think the structural integrity has been compromised after the bend, I wouldn’t put it on my car.

The shafts are not made of hardened steel that fracture at the slightest bend. Even axles that are case hardened flex and twist a good amount before they actually break. A LCA shaft that's out 1/16th wouldn't bother me in the least....even 1/8 won't make it break but that much might mess with alignment too much.

 

[1967coronet440]

The shafts are not made of hardened steel that fracture at the slightest bend. Even axles that are case hardened flex and twist a good amount before they actually break. A LCA shaft that's out 1/16th wouldn't bother me in the least....even 1/8 won't make it break but that much might mess with alignment too much.

I understand what you’re saying, but my thought is, at under a hundred bucks a set is it worth risking running a bent set?

 

[gkent]

At $100 a set ... yes it is worth running a bent pair!! Considering there are used ones galore kicking around the swap meets for 5 or 10 bucks a piece!! I sure as hell don't see a need to spend $100. on anything special in this application.
I seriously doubt 1/8" offset in a rubber mount will have any effect on alignment.

 

[gkent]

FirmFeel sells pins but as best I can tell yours are the same as any B-body. Why don't yo measure those. I have a set I used in a jig and if they're the same as yours I'll cut you a decent deal on the pair. I'm probably more apt to find another set than you are in Norway !!

 

[Cordoba78]

The pivot shafts are not the same on all b-bodies, i think there is one shaft from 1962 - 72, and another shaft from 1973 - 79, b-bodies from 1973 and up also have a different k-member than the earlier b-bodies.

 

[gkent]

Yeah, all I saw on FirmFeel was the pins listed for "B-bodies". I guess you need to contact them for specifics.

Why not post a "wanted" add. There has to be someone out there who can help you out.

Also, I wouldn't be afraid to put these in a press and straighten them.

 

[Cranky]

Do you have access to a press? At work, we straightened pumps shafts all the time and they never broke. It shouldn't take much to take out a 1/8" bend but you need to support the shaft in the right places to fix it right. Just make sure you put something that's soft (aluminum works) on the supports and between the shaft and the ram of the press. Having some marks on those probably wouldn't hurt anything because of what they are and do but I'm kinda **** about marring stuff.

Yeah, all I saw on FirmFeel was the pins listed for "B-bodies". I guess you need to contact them for specifics.

Why not post a "wanted" add. There has to be someone out there who can help you out.

Also, I wouldn't be afraid to put these in a press and straighten them.

Man, I should have read ALL of your post before posting mine....

I understand what you’re saying, but my thought is, at under a hundred bucks a set is it worth risking running a bent set?

Some of us can't afford to spend a 100 bucks on every little problem that arises....and why spend it when it's not needed.

 

[gkent]

"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it"

I love that statement ! I once met a chemist who invented foaming alcohol for a client. Afterwards she was told that it was impossible to which she replied that nobody had told her that so she did it !!

 

[Cranky]

"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it"

I love that statement ! I once met a chemist who invented foaming alcohol for a client. Afterwards she was told that it was impossible to which she replied that nobody had told her that so she did it !!

I've been doing stuff like that all of my life. Things started out this way because of the fact there was a lot more time than money available and loved working on things...mainly just about anything with wheels and had to make do with what I had. As time went on and gained more experience and knowledgeable about what could be fixed and what couldn't/shouldn't be fixed, I found that cars could be fixed very reasonably but at the same time, still had to be safe. Learned early on just how far a ball joint could be pushed and is something that no one should bet against. Never did like white knuckling a steering wheel in a curve with deep ditches doing 50 and afraid to let off the gas quickly or step on the brake more than very lightly so that the car didn't get madder than it already was! That thing got fixed pronto....and with new ball joints! And yes, I used to save good ball joints from parted cars and used them on other cars.