Keep a check on this area

[convert1957]

This is where the lower control arm bolts to the A frame in the front.When you apply the brakes it lets the control arm rotate down and back . I lost my first 57 convertable in 75 because of this.
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[carls 56 (RIP 11/24/2021)]

thanks for the info. :)

[567chevys]

That really looks scary

Thanks for the heads Up

See Chevynut or Nick for a better set up !

Sid

[Rick_L]

Good advice. The first 55 I had years ago had a failure there, the front of the lower control arm dropped down 2-3" due to the crossmember bolt holes cracking, and eventual crossmember failure. I had a local small town alignment shop weld everything up and also fix the "frame sag" that I had. It was obvious that he had done the same job before as he did it quickly and expertly.

The frame on my current car needed a bit of welding to fix some small cracks in the bolt holes.

I think this kind of stuff occurs from collision damage, including colliding with curbs and pot holes.

I saw someone (who you thought would have known better) state that disc brakes can cause this. I don't buy that at all, but if a crack is there, a hard stop may take it to the next level.

[c57heaven]

thnaks for the heads up.

[Run-em]

Not to damage Nick or Laszlo's business, but how'd you go about bracing that area before anything bad happens?

[Rick_L]

The best think I've seen is a doubler plate to go over the bolt hole area on the bolt head side. It must fit really nice because the crossmember's vertical wall is profiled around the bolt head. You have to repair any cracks by welding, and grind the welds, before welding the doubler plate. It's more difficult to put anything on the other side because the control arm shaft sits up against the flat surface of the crossmember.

[chevynut]

This solves the whole problem :p :)

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[convert1957]

Not on a stock car

[chevynut]

Sorry, I didn't notice this was the stock forum. :(