Rear lower control arm endlink mount is broken - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CharlSS · 08-13-2012, 07:42 PM

While changing my rear brake pads, I noticed that the endlink mount on the lower control arm is busted (see attachment).

From what I've read online, this is a well known weak point in the Camaro suspension. Pfadt and others sell stiffening plates for the mount, but I realize that these plates are intended as reinforcements prior to breakage, not replacements for broken mounts.

Before I pull out my MIG and go to town, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a broken end link mount and has any suggestions for the best repair. Thanks

JohnZ · 08-13-2012, 07:46 PM

What kind of sway bar are you running with the stock endlinks?

Synner · 08-13-2012, 07:56 PM

Personally I'd buy a new arm which is relatively cheap before beefing the crap out of it. The metals already been fatigued and deformed so the remaining metal isn't as strong as it should be.

driyac · 08-13-2012, 08:06 PM

I feel like this is maybe why the switched the designs on the 2012?

600hp-lpe · 08-13-2012, 08:14 PM

one option is to replace the arm with another stock one for around $40.00 or so.

A few people have upgraded to the Fe5 style (new lower control arms are needed for a 2013 model year) that will use the updated swaybar and different endlinks. This option moves the sway bar mount point out to the hubs. It provides greater handling as the swaybar is 40% more efficient. (2010-2011 mounts in the middle, 2012 and 2013 mount the sway out where the hub is. ) It is a much improved design, and gets rid of most of the understeer. Downfall is it requires a different swaybar and endlinks.

pouncer72 · 08-13-2012, 08:33 PM

I've got a stock one I can send you for the cost of shipping if you want it.

Bruce@raymondsperformance · 08-13-2012, 08:54 PM

I would replace arm then add the Pedders mount stiffening plates.We have alot of them out there with no problems,might be a good time to upgrade the sway bar links to.

ICTsccaCamaro · 08-13-2012, 09:00 PM

Perfect opportunity to go fe4 fe5 rear sway set up

PfadtRacing · 08-14-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICTsccaCamaro

Perfect opportunity to go fe4 fe5 rear sway set up

This.

Before you put a lot of time and effort into trying to make your original lower control arms work head to your dealer and pick up a set of FE4 rear lower control arms. It will save you a bunch of effort, and if you ever did want to move to FE4 sway bars you would have that option.

PS. Nice coilovers.

Apex Motorsports · 08-14-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICTsccaCamaro

Perfect opportunity to go fe4 fe5 rear sway set up

Quote:

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

This.

Before you put a lot of time and effort into trying to make your original lower control arms work head to your dealer and pick up a set of FE4 rear lower control arms. It will save you a bunch of effort, and if you ever did want to move to FE4 sway bars you would have that option.

PS. Nice coilovers.

CharlSS · 08-14-2012, 03:22 PM

Thanks to everyone for your comments and recommendations. I think I've settled on replacing the arms, which I hope will save me a lot of time, cussing and re-welding my mistakes.

For those that asked, I'm running Pfadt sway bars and coilovers. I was too cheap to pop for end links, but that'll be remedied soon enough...as well as reinforcement brackets.

Thanks again for all the good advice.

Synner · 08-14-2012, 04:27 PM

I have a set of pfadt reinforcement tabs sitting on my workbench. Let me know if you need them.

08-13-2012, 07:42 PM	#1
CharlSS Drives: Black 2SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 92	Rear lower control arm endlink mount is broken While changing my rear brake pads, I noticed that the endlink mount on the lower control arm is busted (see attachment). From what I've read online, this is a well known weak point in the Camaro suspension. Pfadt and others sell stiffening plates for the mount, but I realize that these plates are intended as reinforcements prior to breakage, not replacements for broken mounts. Before I pull out my MIG and go to town, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a broken end link mount and has any suggestions for the best repair. Thanks Attached Images

08-13-2012, 07:46 PM	#2
JohnZ Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT V6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: California Posts: 439	What kind of sway bar are you running with the stock endlinks? __________________ Injen CAI, V-Max Throttle Body, Rx 25mm Iceolator, Rx 10mm Plenum Spacer, Mace Ported Manifold, ARK N-II Catback, Trifecta Tune, Rx Catch Can. BMR Bushing Inserts,Pedders Radius Rod Inserts, Pfadt Sway Bars and Endlinks, LSR Front Subframe Brace SS Brembo Brakes, Racing Brake Stainless Lines

08-13-2012, 09:00 PM	#8
ICTsccaCamaro ITCRNRS Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 1,575	Perfect opportunity to go fe4 fe5 rear sway set up __________________ 2018 ZL1 1LE Ordered 6/29/17 Built 11/6/17 Delivered 12/7/17, Summit White, PDR, NAV, https://www.youtube.com/c/tylerpotter SOLD: 2014 Summit White 1LE 2SS/RS, Recaros, NPP, NAV, KONI Yellow's SOLD: 2012 Black 2LT/RS, Fully 1LE swapped, Brembo swap

08-13-2012, 07:56 PM	#3
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	Personally I'd buy a new arm which is relatively cheap before beefing the crap out of it. The metals already been fatigued and deformed so the remaining metal isn't as strong as it should be.

08-13-2012, 08:06 PM	#4
driyac Drives: 2012 45th Anniversary 2SS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: West Chester Ohio Posts: 1,845	I feel like this is maybe why the switched the designs on the 2012?

08-13-2012, 08:14 PM	#5
600hp-lpe Drives: 2010 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NH Posts: 4,788	one option is to replace the arm with another stock one for around $40.00 or so. A few people have upgraded to the Fe5 style (new lower control arms are needed for a 2013 model year) that will use the updated swaybar and different endlinks. This option moves the sway bar mount point out to the hubs. It provides greater handling as the swaybar is 40% more efficient. (2010-2011 mounts in the middle, 2012 and 2013 mount the sway out where the hub is. ) It is a much improved design, and gets rid of most of the understeer. Downfall is it requires a different swaybar and endlinks.

08-13-2012, 08:33 PM	#6
pouncer72 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 365	I've got a stock one I can send you for the cost of shipping if you want it.

08-13-2012, 08:54 PM	#7
Bruce@raymondsperformance Drives: 2014 Z28 camaro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Indy Posts: 705	I would replace arm then add the Pedders mount stiffening plates.We have alot of them out there with no problems,might be a good time to upgrade the sway bar links to.

08-14-2012, 03:22 PM	#11
CharlSS Drives: Black 2SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 92	Thanks to everyone for your comments and recommendations. I think I've settled on replacing the arms, which I hope will save me a lot of time, cussing and re-welding my mistakes. For those that asked, I'm running Pfadt sway bars and coilovers. I was too cheap to pop for end links, but that'll be remedied soon enough...as well as reinforcement brackets. Thanks again for all the good advice.

08-14-2012, 04:27 PM	#12
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	I have a set of pfadt reinforcement tabs sitting on my workbench. Let me know if you need them.