I found out last night that the new QA1 shocks that I bought for my 66 chevelle will not just slide up into the bottom of the control arm. It looks like I will have to lower the bottom control arm take out the spring, put the new QA1 inside the spring and try to reassemble the conrol arm with the shock in the spring and get the shock inplace while also geting the front spring and control arm, put back togeather. Any one out there put QA1s in there 66 chevelle front end, and If so am I on the right track or is there a simpler why of installing these shocks. :confused:

I believe I have heard of people having to grind away the control around the old shock mount. Just have to be real careful not to take too much.

Later
Steve

I was thinking of that. If I ground just enough out so the shock would fit through the lower arm and then grind out for the knob between the mounting screw holes it might work. Does anyone think this will weaken or wreck the lower control arm? Isn't there anyone out there that have put QA1 shocks in the front of there 66 chevelle that could help my out here? :(

Round file. About 10 minutes and they fit through. Don't have to remove much. Throw some duct tape over the shock so you don't scratch those pretty shocks getting them through.

I hardly removed any material and certainly didn't pull the lower control arms.

Thank 66 283, I though that might be the answer. One thing i am wondering though. Do you have to file out an additional notch to get the adjusting knob though th hole?

I just installed QA1's on my 71 Chevelle. I used an electric drill and grinding stone and it took about an hour of grinding on each control arm to open them up enough to get the shocks thru.

Once the hole was large enough to accomodate the shock, it slipped right in with no interference from the adjusting knob.

Good luck.

Emil Dusek
71 SS-502

No, the hole is already oval - just line up the shock to one side of the hole so you aren't grinding on the nuts - then when it slips through offset to one side the knob will clear. "Trust me." LOL. If my camera wasn't at work I would take you a picture.

An hour each side with a power tool? Damn! I must have strong hands or a sharp file! LOL Just kidding, but it only took me about 10 minutes a side but mine is REALLY tight. Sticker didn't make it through.

My car had the problem of lifting the front end WAY too quickly - I started at 6 clicks in (middle) and I took more than a tenth off my 60 foot first pass.

66 283

Thanks guys for the help I'll be putting them in tomorrow night. thanks again.

Hour per side??????

I was using some cheesy stones....lol. Ended up using a total of five.

I have air and a die grinder but the only carbide
cutting bit I had was totally dull. I went to
ACE, SEARS HARDWARE, LOWE'S and HOME DEPOT and
the clerks didn't even know what I was talking
about when I asked for some cutting bits. So I
ended up just using the stones with my e/drill.

Emil Dusek
71 SS-502

I did exactly what Insurance Guy did, I just hope i didnt take off too much, I guess we will find out and hopefully it wont be at 90 mph!

Originally posted by TwoLaneBlackTop:
I did exactly what Insurance Guy did, I just hope i didnt take off too much, I guess we will find out and hopefully it wont be at 90 mph! Well, my goal this year is 160mph in the 1/4 so if I go that fast and the a-arms don't fall off, you will have a factor of safety at 90. ;)

I used a grinder on my 67. didn't take off more than i had too but looked like it had to weaken the shock mounting holes. make sure you spray the area with a rust proofing primer. Kept that set up for a summer then I went and got global west's stage 3 front suspension. No modifications necessary.