When installing a rear sway bar is it OK to use standard (3 sided) control arms or should they be boxed or modified in any way? :confused:

When installing a rear sway bar is it OK to use standard (3 sided) control arms or should they be boxed or modified in any way? :confused:

They should be boxed for support. With out the support you would tighten the bolts up and the arms would start to collapse inward. That's why the kit you can buy has also the support braces that go inside the arms for extra support and the bottom plate. The rear sway bar will put the most pressure on your arms while cornering.

They should be boxed for support. With out the support you would tighten the bolts up and the arms would start to collapse inward. That's why the kit you can buy has also the support braces that go inside the arms for extra support and the bottom plate. The rear sway bar will put the most pressure on your arms while cornering.

Yes, They should be boxed. In working on different Chevelles I have noticed that the factory made both boxed and non boxed versions. Big blocks seem to all be boxed and most have rear sway bars.

If your after handling though you might not want a rear sway bar or springs that are too stiff, >250lbs/inch.

Ron

I beleive all "SS" models came with the sway bar and all big blocks are boxed?? That means 350SS cars like the 71 I bought new are unboxed with sway bar. I had thought of boxing as to keep it from folding up under acceleration loads but I can see your point, cornering loads put a bind on those bolts and the channel type arms can just flex in effectivly making the bolt loose. Guess I will put boxing those arms on my short list

For reference...
http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref16.html

I agree All SS ( CARS ) Had boxed rear arms and Sway bar. No El Caminos SS-396-454s-Had F-41 Sus. Pkg. or Boxed rear arms or Sway bar.
F-41 was not an option for El Caminos. No El Caminos were produced with boxed arms or sway bar. I had Boxed arms and sway bar installed on my 70 SS 454- M-22 Camino in June of 70 at the Dealer ( Sahli Chevrolet in Beaver Falls, Pa.) Cost $77.87 Parts and Labor.
After the sway bar and arms. It handled like -- $h!T
Bad idea on my part.
Bob:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

It is not hard to do. See this link
How to Box Rear Lower Rear Control Arms (http://www.leverfamilysite.com/Boxing_Lower_Control_Arms.htm)
(http://www.leverfamilysite.com/Boxing_Rear_Upper_Control_Arms.htm)