Hey guys, So I was working on my 1955 oldsmobile today and the front suspension on the drivers side was very sloppy. Took it apart and discovered the knuckle support is stripped. Anybody know a fix for this or where I could locate a replacement? Did a general search and came up with nothing. Any help is much appreciated. Will Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
actually, this site has become all about restoring. we go ******* over old hotrods somebody's restored, and start whining when said hotrods are hotrodded instead of being restored. it's a 55 olds, fits the year cutoff, and OP asked nicely with pictures. I do agree with the sleeve idea tho.
Look closely at the bottom hole, I ***ume that’s the one stripped, as the threads in the top hole look good. As with all raw castings they are held in a jig for machining and there are variances. This one was machined a little to the right. See how thin the right side of the hole is substantially thinner than the left side. Any machining in that area for a “ sleeve” might compromise the strength of the casting. A new part gets my vote. Bones
I would try to adapt a ball joint suspension from a newer GM car. It all unbolts, use the a frames and all the rest of it.
Hard to tell without a better picture but want to be sure you realize the "threads" in the lower pivot aren't very deep to begin with. I would think the only way they could be damaged is if the bushing was froze on the shaft (it's supposed to pivot on) and turned in the upright or if they were damaged when the bushing was removed. Picture (from Fusick website) shows a new bushing ***embly and you can see what the outer threads on the bushing look like. http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=K50
good info and read here fwiw http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/1937-1957_Buick_Oldsmobile_Pontiac_suspension_upgrade might check in with the Olds guys over on the AACA forum as they may have or know of a source for what you need.
Just for giggles I went over to E BAY and found one in about thirty seconds. Didn’t price it , but it’s there. Bones
He may be running a hot J-2 and 4 speed Hydro. IMHO.... it’s a legit question. You did give a good repair suggestion.
So the bolt on top is from the stripped pivot and the bottom is from the other side. I was able to locate one in Texas. Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Is the hole in the knuckle worn / ovalised?? The trunion bushes never had a heavy thread profile from new, they usually nip / tighten up in the knuckle, and the pivoting movement is taken on the thread of the long bolt.. A trunion bush kit should fix the problem..
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