Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

[Richard G.]

I just noticed I have two different lower A arm cross bars on my 63. I have posted pictures below;



The cross shaft is square on one side and shaped like an "H" on the other side.
There does not appear to be any damage to the car that would have require a replacement. The "A" arms are identical. No frame damage. I suppose its possible this part was replaced but I doubt it. Even the motor mounts are original to the car.
Any ideas why there are two style of the same part on the same SWC?

I also notice the front brake drums have a spring on the outside diameter. Interesting there are not any springs on the rear drums. Spring is pictured below; I am confident this stock item for the front. If so are the rears missing or were there never any on the drums? By the way this is a metallic brake optioned car. The $36 dollar option. The metallic brake pads are still installed. I need to paint the brake drums as they should be painted semi-gloss black.


Thanks
Rick in WA State

[Edward J.]

Re: Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

Rich, When I restored my 63 it notice the same thing, I did not notice until the car was together, likely just different castings ?? and the springs around front drums are only used on the front, Nothing was on the rears.

[Richard G.]

Re: Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

Rich, When I restored my 63 it notice the same thing, I did not notice until the car was together, likely just different castings ?? and the springs around front drums are only used on the front, Nothing was on the rears.

Thank you for your input. I was hoping it was another 63 anomaly, which there are plenty. I am thrilled to find more and more original parts on my car. Starter, fuel pump and motor mounts are just a few of my pleasant confirmation surprises. The car was last on the road in 1985, I'm guessing the chances of part being original are much higher because of that fact.

I went through the Technical Manual and the Judging guide and didn't find any reference to the brake drum springs in the documentation. Thanks for your help. Exactly why I love this board, one can get answers to questions that are not available anywhere else. Do you know if the drum spring is natural colored or what finish it should have?
Thanks
Rick in WA State

[Edward J.]

Re: Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

Rich, there a similar thread post below on this very detail I just notice, it was a 65 model year.

[Edward J.]

Re: Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

heres a pic of a 63 Chassis with the drums painted.

[Joe L.]

Re: Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

Thank you for your input. I was hoping it was another 63 anomaly, which there are plenty. I am thrilled to find more and more original parts on my car. Starter, fuel pump and motor mounts are just a few of my pleasant confirmation surprises. The car was last on the road in 1985, I'm guessing the chances of part being original are much higher because of that fact.

I went through the Technical Manual and the Judging guide and didn't find any reference to the brake drum springs in the documentation. Thanks for your help. Exactly why I love this board, one can get answers to questions that are not available anywhere else. Do you know if the drum spring is natural colored or what finish it should have?
Thanks
Rick in WA State

Rick------


The lower a-arm shaft difference is seen on later C2's, as well; it's not unique to 1963. Both of these shafts actually had the same finished part number.

The a-arms, upper and lower, were delivered to St. Louis as an assembly which included the a-arm, shaft, bushings, and retainers. The ball joints were installed at St. Louis. For whatever reason, wherever they were assembled, both style shafts were used.

[Bill S.]

Re: Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

The spring is there to reduce/eliminate brake squeal. The squeal is actually the drum vibrating the spring eliminates the vibrating.

[Richard G.]

Re: Two different lower A arm cross bars on a 1963

The spring is there to reduce/eliminate brake squeal. The squeal is actually the drum vibrating the spring eliminates the vibrating.

Interesting, why why were they not needed on the rear? So little braking going on they didn't squeal?
My first thought was they were only on the metallic brake cars. That does not seem to be the case, all of the front brakes had them.