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55 Rescue Dog
05-15-2016, 02:32 PM
I noticed today when I finally uncovered my 96 grand sport suspension, and got a good look at it. It all looks good enough to go straight in the frame as is. But, I noticed the all 4 dog bones are made with a composite shaft with cast ends. 1996 is the only year that had that,
and was wondering why they changed them from aluminum?
They look like a 3/4 inch 1ft long fishing poles. Maybe so they can twist with the bushings?

55 Rescue Dog
05-16-2016, 05:00 PM
Nobody has a clue? I don't, and it had to be a major change for only 1 year of production.

WagonCrazy
05-16-2016, 05:33 PM
This was discussed briefly in a 2004 Corvette forum here http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/773261-dog-bone-question.html

I started out with a Dana 36 that came with those same composite dogbones, and then swapped the rear end completely in favor of a Dana 44 and it came with the cast aluminum ones...so I've used those.

Just look for some cast aluminum ones from an earlier year and swap them out...

WagonCrazy
05-16-2016, 05:37 PM
Some for sale on ebay now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1996-CORVETTE-TRAILING-ARMS-DOG-BONES-GM-P-N-10098145-10098146-/301834627343

NickP
05-17-2016, 08:22 AM
As with most changes within an automobile manufacturer, the drive by engineers is to improve a product and at the same time lower manufacturing cost. I can't say that this was the intent behind the change for certain but I suspect it's close.

Rick_L
05-17-2016, 05:54 PM
I don't know how they constructed the composite, but usually it would be a filament wound construction with approximately a 45 degree winding angle - and it would be pretty stiff in both torsion and tension. But when you say composite there could be any of a number of materials for both the yarn and resin.

Seems like the weak link would be the transition from composite to the aluminum end fitting.

I'd like to see a photo of one.

NickP
05-17-2016, 08:10 PM
I don't know how they constructed the composite, but usually it would be a filament wound construction with approximately a 45 degree winding angle - and it would be pretty stiff in both torsion and tension. But when you say composite there could be any of a number of materials for both the yarn and resin.

Seems like the weak link would be the transition from composite to the aluminum end fitting.

I'd like to see a photo of one.

http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6054&stc=1
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6055&stc=1

Rick_L
05-18-2016, 05:37 AM
Thanks for the photos.

chevynut
05-18-2016, 11:20 AM
They were put out by GM so they have to be the "best" even though they look like crap.

NickP
05-18-2016, 12:03 PM
U-GLY

55 Rescue Dog
05-18-2016, 12:48 PM
No they may not be pretty, just trying to figure out why they made a last year production change? They were used only on 96 models is all I could find out.
The lower link looks like it is 2 piece. It has a cast sleeve 1/3 from the end of the shaft.

WagonCrazy
05-18-2016, 01:04 PM
even though they look like crap

Precisely why I swapped them out for all aluminum bones on mine...

I'm sure they'd be fine (functionally) but after all the money spent...why stick with FUGLY when it can be improved.

55 Rescue Dog
05-18-2016, 02:20 PM
Form is suppose to follow function. Plus the now rare rubber bushings look great.