GM F-Body Control Arms – Two Types of Lowers

I set up this display to show you the difference between the two styles of Lower Control Arms for a GM F-Body.  These fit cars between 1970 and 1981.

GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arms Overview

The information listed below is based on my “Hollander Interchange 43rd Edition” and “Hollander Interchange 43rd Edition”

The first style lower control arm (the one on the left) also had round bushings on the front and rear of the control arm. The front bushing measured 1.42 inches,  the rear measured 1.67 inches and the bolt hole in the bushing had a thin walled metal sleeve with a bolt hole that measures .520 inches.

They are correct for :
Camaro 1970 thru 1976,
Firebird 1970 thru 1976,
Apollo 1975,
Century 1973 thru 1976,
Chevelle 1973 thru 1976,
Cutlass 1973 thru 1976,
Grand Prix 1973 thru 1976,
LeMans 1973 thru 1976,
Monte Carlo 1973 thru 1976,
Nova 1975 thru 1976,
Omega 1975 thru 1976,
Regal 1973 thru 1976,
Seville 1976,
Skylark 1975 thru 1976,
Sprint (GMC) 1973 thru 1976,
Ventura II 1975 thru 1976

The second style lower control arm (the one on the right) had round bushings on the front and rear of the control arm. The front bushing measured 1.68 inches,  the rear measured 1.92 inches and the bolt hole in the bushing had a thick walled metal sleeve with a bolt hole that measures .590 inches.

 They are correct for :
Camaro 1977 thru 1981,
Firebird 1977 thru 1981,
Cadillac DeVille & Fleetwood Brougham 1977 thru 1984,
Century 1977,
Chevelle 1977,
Cutlass 1977,
Grand Prix 1977,
LeMans 1977,
Monte Carlo 1977,
Nova 1977 thru 1979,
Omega 1975 thru 1976,
Olds 1977,
Omega 1977 thur 1979,
Phoenix 1977 thru 1979,
Regal 1977,
Seville 1977 thru 1979,
Skylark 1977 thru 1979,
Sprint (GMC) 1977,
Ventura II 1977
 

Although the arms appear to have the same configuration I would have to believe they are not interchangeable with out modifications as the bolt hole sizes are different in the bushings.

If you click the pictures below they will enlarge

 GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm difference 033        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm difference 034        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm difference 035        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm difference 0361        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm difference 037

In addition to the differences listed above, there is a slight difference in the way the arms are formed.  There is a slightly raised portion on the rear of the “late” arm that is not on the early arm.  You can click on these images to see an enlarged image to better see the difference.

Additional images of Arms and their Bushings

GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm Bushings 017        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm Bushings 018        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm Bushings 020        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arm Bushings 021        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arms and Bushings 011

GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arms and Bushings 012        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arms and Bushings 013        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arms and Bushings 014        GM F-Body 70 thru 81 Control Arms and Bushings 015

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