Help with lower control arm assembly please on a 66

[msg]

I had taken pics when I tore all this down years ago and overlooked the lower control arm and its orientation. The arm itself and the shafts, I just want to be sure I get this right as I rebuild it.

The photo I took before looks like the passenger side, so I marked the control arm in the yellow tape. I think this is right but double checking first with you all.

Then there is the dimple on the arm shaft, which should point towards the rear of the truck and downward? I think it matters right?

[SkinnyG]

The shock mount goes to the rear, the sway bar mount goes to the front.

[PGSigns]

On the shaft the dimple is to locate the lower control arm. If you look at your cross member where the control arm bolts up you will see the pin sticking down. So orient the shaft to align with the pin when you assemble the control arms and when you bolt it up.
Jimmy

[msg]

Thanks guys, I did find another pic during teardown on the driver side that I think shows the dimple towards the front and pointed up to align with that spot you mentioned Jimmy on the cross member in the ubolt spot. The cross member is still uninstalled, its been waiting to go back on the restored and empty frame I have now. I see where one side of the cross member is a rectangularish stud and the other that rounded one.

[scottofksu]

Just a tangential suggestion, but, while you have the lower control arm off, you might consider upgrading the LCA mounts to the 73-87 much larger U-Bolts. Apparently ours were prone to breaking. Looking at the difference between the two when I did mine it is easy to see why! The later model ones are HUGE in comparison! As I understand it, GM up graded the size once after 66, and then again later.

[msg]

Wow, didnt know that. I had just cleaned mine up

So do these look like the right ones to replace them with?
https://www.classicparts.com/1967-91...tinfo/74-352/#

I wondered if they slip through or if the mount holes have to be widened?
Ill install what I have I think and order and replace them one at a time if possible.

[Captainfab]

Those do appear to be the correct u-bolts to upgrade to. The holes in the crossmember will need to be drilled out. I believe the original u-bolts were 7/16" diameter and the upgrade u-bolts are 9/16" in diameter. You can also purchase those from Napa.

[scottofksu]

The Captain is right on all counts (et par etcetera)! I felt bad recommending it given how nice the paint looks... However, I didn’t want you to have to replace them later after backing out of a parking stall at full wheel lock when you’d hear the “bang” of one breaking and unloading your spring!