68 Front suspension help - Lateral-g Forums

**FOMOGO** · #1 07-31-2010, 05:46 AM

Been lurking and learning on here for a while now. I am now in need of some sub frame dimensions and hope somebody can help me out. I am working on a 1968 Firebird OHC 6 car. This is a restoration with a few suspension upgrades. Just to bring it up to more current standards. Disc brakes, sway bars, gas shocks and radials. While tearing down the sub frame I discovered that the lower control arm bolts were loose enough that you could turn them by hand. When I got it apart it now has elongated holes in the sub frame. Does anyone have the correct measurements for the bolt holes off of the centerline or center of bolt across to center of bolt? Another point of interest was the fact that it had no shims on the upper control arms. So I also need to know what the distance should be between the upper mounts. This car is a convertable, not driven hard and I dont think it has a problem with the sub frame collapsing but I want to check everything that could lead to my current issues. Personally I think the lack of shims comes from the lower bolt holes being elongated and letting the assembly splay outwards, increasing the camber until it cant be corrected. I have spent hours searching the web for the dimensions but come up empty handed every time. I hope that someone has this information. I really would like to fix what I have if I can. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Doug

dhutton · #2 07-31-2010, 07:24 AM

Depending on where you are used subframes can be found on Craigslist for a few hundred dollars. Maybe that would be an easy way to go.

Don

**FOMOGO** · #3 07-31-2010, 05:02 PM

Yeah there are some out here but they are just as old as what I have. A few hundred dollar investment could get me no further along than I am right now.

If I can get the numbers I need then mine will be like new for a few hours of my own labor. Something I would much rather do for the joy of the accomplishment.

I know somebody has these numbers but who????

Thanks

Doug

lhkustoms · #4 07-31-2010, 11:18 PM

Here is a frame dimension chart
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...sQ5fLiterature

RAnthony97 · #5 08-01-2010, 10:57 AM

You can probably find that info in a factory shop manual. Here is one offered by classic industries.
http://www.classicindustries.com/con...rchCatalogId=3

RAnthony97 · #6 08-01-2010, 11:12 AM

Will this help?

**FOMOGO** · #7 08-02-2010, 03:08 PM

Guys, thanks for your efforts but I already have all the factory manuals and all they give is dimensions to check the frame for square. I need to know where the bolt holes go for the lower control arms. My holes are about 3/4 of an inch long..... Some dummy left the bolts just loose enough that they constantly moved for quit a long time by the looks of it.v Would like to put them back in the proper location so the front end will line up.

Thanks again,

Doug