Upper control arm

[steve from staten island]

The upper control arm cams. The piece inside the engine compartment that the cam hits. That piece is damaged. It seems to be plug welded. Does anyone make a replacement piece?
I could fix it if need be by heating. up and bending it back, id probably have to run a pass as it could be cracked.
Any ideas?

 

[dadsbee]

Weld it..

 

[Dajkzo]

Perfect job for a mig welder, Looking at Dadsbee's picture I see they are spot welded. Drill out the spot welds, clean/prep both areas and weld it back. I bet you could cut those pieces front any B body, like a 4 door or wagon, etc.

 

[dadsbee]

My cam "bosses" were bent from overzealous alignment "specialists". I just peened them back into place with a BFH. The welded spot / crack... I unfortunately found after body work and paint but a quick fix..

 

[biomedtechguy]

Use aftermarket adjustable control arms when the limitations of the stock design piss you off for the last time...
Lol
That's what I did.

 

[vintage chromoly]

Nothing wrong with factory suspension parts.

To the op, I’d try to fix what you have by metal working it.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Use aftermarket adjustable control arms when the limitations of the stock design piss you off for the last time...
Lol
That's what I did.

So that warranted the "red X of dissent" from vintage chromoly...
I am literally sick of hearing "there's not enough adjustment in the stock UCA to get your alignment spot on". Now there are replacement bushings, including those with offset, that I could have put into the 50 year old part. Being as I am not looking for a "stock correct" car, and I believe that with the limited miles I am going to put on my car, and looking for the best cruising and drag racing performance, I'm confident going aftermarket is a great choice, for me.
What aftermarket tubular UCA did you get?

 

[vintage chromoly]

I explained the x to you.

“Nothing wrong with OE front suspension parts”. If you want to use whiz bang aftermarket stuff, they will be more than happy to take your money.

 

[Hemirunner]

I explained the x to you.

“Nothing wrong with OE front suspension parts”. If you want to use whiz bang aftermarket stuff, they will be more than happy to take your money.

You’re both correct. For most applications, stock components are fine. For drag applications, an adjustable upper control arm will really help with getting more caster. Unfortunately, mine have to be removed from the car to be adjusted.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I explained the x to you.

“Nothing wrong with OE front suspension parts”. If you want to use whiz bang aftermarket stuff, they will be more than happy to take your money.

With my car there is something wrong with OE front suspension parts. Not enough adjustment to get a proper front end alignment.
Granted, some of the solutions offered, such as new offset UCA bushings may fix the problem, and I had a damaged passenger side LCA when I bought the car, which at the time I replaced with a used LCA from Stephens Performance, because I didn't know what my options were. So there may be underlying reasons why the OE UCA geometry doesn't work, and I will know more once I can get a pro to look at it. It took a mechanic who was replacing the front drum brakes and spindles to notice the bent LCA! Once he pointed it out, it was obvious. That's another reason why I am replacing everything related to the front suspension including the K-member.
The red X comment was just a friendly poke.