Reuse SS knuckles?

Waterdriver

Goblin Guru
Are your existing ones in good shape? Or are they bent. If they're in decent shape, you can replace the ball joints and bushings. Saving some money that way.
 

JeffsGoblin

Goblin Guru
Nope. All bushings and ball joints were ruined so I dumped both. I was just gonna get new whole parts
You can keep the control arms and just replace just the bushings. Hopefully you didn't get rid of them completely. I let mine go to the scrap yard and wish I didn't because it seems like the stiffer (than stock) bushings are the way to go.

https://www.overthetopperformance.com/Spherical-Control-Arm-Bushings_p_76.html

https://zzperformance.com/collections/ecotec/products/solid-control-arm-bushings

https://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/7244
 

Ross

Goblin Guru
You can keep the control arms and just replace just the bushings. Hopefully you didn't get rid of them completely. I let mine go to the scrap yard and wish I didn't because it seems like the stiffer (than stock) bushings are the way to go.

https://www.overthetopperformance.com/Spherical-Control-Arm-Bushings_p_76.html

https://zzperformance.com/collections/ecotec/products/solid-control-arm-bushings

https://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/7244
Control Arm Bushing MOOG K201285 was $68 for me. It is a solid heim joint like the OTTP part, but cheaper.
 

Ark :D

Goblin Guru
Steel ones (FE1) will fit on any LS, 2005-2007 SS/NA or SS/SC. Aluminum (FE3) also came on 05-07 SS's, but you can use steel ones instead. 2008-2010 SS/TC donors have FE5, and both the ball joint on the control arms and where the steering knuckles meet them are slightly larger. You cannot mix FE1/FE3 control arms with FE5 knuckles, nor can you mix FE5 control arms with FE1/FE3 knuckles. You can, however, use FE1/FE3 control arms and FE1/FE3 knuckles, even if your donor is a SS/TC (this is what I am doing).

Hopefully none of the above is wrong!.... but this is what I am almost certain is correct. Someone, please advise if I've missed something.
 

TheNuker

Goblin Guru
To make it easy ZZP now sells the aluminum control arms and has the different sizes for SC and TC easily marked.

Nuker-
 

RouteAbel

Well-Known Member
Is running the stock bushing a problem for SS/TC? Mine are in decent shape and I wasnt planning to replace.
 

OptimizePrime

Goblin Guru
Is running the stock bushing a problem for SS/TC? Mine are in decent shape and I wasnt planning to replace.
The ball joint is really where most of the heartburn is introduced, and a new control arm makes the most sense if it's in rough shape. The rest are relatively easy to swap without the need to buy a new control arm.

If your bushing is in good condition, run it and change out as needed - there's no real requirement or need to upgrade/change for the goblin build.
 

baustin

Well-Known Member
Steel ones (FE1) will fit on any LS, 2005-2007 SS/NA or SS/SC. Aluminum (FE3) also came on 05-07 SS's, but you can use steel ones instead. 2008-2010 SS/TC donors have FE5, and both the ball joint on the control arms and where the steering knuckles meet them are slightly larger. You cannot mix FE1/FE3 control arms with FE5 knuckles, nor can you mix FE5 control arms with FE1/FE3 knuckles. You can, however, use FE1/FE3 control arms and FE1/FE3 knuckles, even if your donor is a SS/TC (this is what I am doing).

Hopefully none of the above is wrong!.... but this is what I am almost certain is correct. Someone, please advise if I've missed something.
There are actually some FE5 SS/SC cars out there... I have one of them from 2006. Aluminum, fits the standard 2006 SS/SC knuckles, would be swappable to the FE3/FE1 from early models if I wanted. Trunk code definitely shows FE5. I'm not sure how rare this combo is, the car history on my donor started in the GM testing area of Michigan for a couple thousand miles before being sold into South Carolina.
 

k.rollin

Goblin Guru
There are actually some FE5 SS/SC cars out there... I have one of them from 2006. Aluminum, fits the standard 2006 SS/SC knuckles, would be swappable to the FE3/FE1 from early models if I wanted. Trunk code definitely shows FE5. I'm not sure how rare this combo is, the car history on my donor started in the GM testing area of Michigan for a couple thousand miles before being sold into South Carolina.
The FE5 RPO code was used for all model years, but was revised for 2008 because the SS/TC used a revised knuckle. I've posted about the applicability of the suspension RPO codes to specific donors previously.

 
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Rttoys

Goblin Guru
There are actually some FE5 SS/SC cars out there... I have one of them from 2006. Aluminum, fits the standard 2006 SS/SC knuckles, would be swappable to the FE3/FE1 from early models if I wanted. Trunk code definitely shows FE5. I'm not sure how rare this combo is, the car history on my donor started in the GM testing area of Michigan for a couple thousand miles before being sold into South Carolina.
My 06 SS/sc is the same. FE5 on RPO code with steel control arms stock. The aluminum ones fit perfect. I even mic’d the ball joint to confirm size.
 
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