There's never been a better time to own and operate a classic Tri-Five Chevrolet, but since these vehicles rolled off of the assembly line 50-plus years ago, the rules of the road have drastically changed. The world has sped up considerably. Everyone's in a hurry and no one is paying much attention to the road. Driving in the modern age means you and your car need faster response times and faster response times require better equipment. One area of improvement we're going to focus on with the '57 used in this article is the front suspension. Global West just released a new set of control arms made for the '55-'57 Chevrolets. As soon as we heard the news, we were there to cover the first installation of these new arms. Interestingly enough, these control arms are engineered to allow the user to fit them to a multitude of applications, including drop spindles or stock spindles, coilovers or OEM springs, OEM power steering, manual steering or aftermarket power steering. No fabricating, cutting, or grinding is required. It's truly a "one size fits all" bolt-in application. As pretty as they are, this upgrade isn't done for aesthetic reasons. The upper and lower control arms have an advantage over the stock stamped steel arms.Lower arm advantages:- Billet cross-shafts- Bolts onto the frame with no modification- Accommodates coil springs or coilovers- Rotating spring cushion for easy indexing- Works with power or manual steering- Built-in steering stops- Built-in sway bar mounts- Equipped with factory ball joints- Powdercoated- Limited-lifetime warrantyAs pretty as they are, this upgrade isn't done for aesthetic reasons. The upper and lower Upper arm advantages:- Billet cross-shafts.- Give an added five degrees of positive caster- They come fully assembled with Del-a-lum bushings- Equipped with factory ball joints- Powdercoated- Limited-lifetime warranty.Upper arm advantages: - Billet cross-shafts. - Give an added five degrees of positive cas Other than the modest disc brakes this '57 Chevy is pretty much a factory-spec restoration. Thanks to D&P Classic Chevy and Global West Suspension for letting us use this '57 as a guinea pig.Other than the modest disc brakes this '57 Chevy is pretty much a factory-spec restoration One more thing we forgot to add. Since these are truly bolt on, they can also bolt off. For those of you who are concerned about keeping your Tri-Five "all original" these arms can be swapped out the day you decide to sell the vehicle as "all original."One more thing we forgot to add. Since these are truly bolt on, they can also bolt off. Fo First, we removed the shock and loosened the spindle. We also lowered the lower arm slowly allowing the super tall OEM spring to decompress. Rather than disconnect the brake lines and make more work for ourselves; the spindle and brakes were set to the side and out of the way.First, we removed the shock and loosened the spindle. We also lowered the lower arm slowly Only four bolts hold the lower arm to the frame. Climb into the engine bay for a few minutes and remove the bolts that hold the upper arm in place.Climb into the engine bay for a few minutes and remove the bolts that hold the upper arm i Climb into the engine bay for a few minutes and remove the bolts that hold the upper arm in place.Climb into the engine bay for a few minutes and remove the bolts that hold the upper arm i Save the shims because you'll need to reuse them. There's no need to reuse the OEM bolts on the new arms. Global West provides all the necessary grade-8 bolts for the installation.There's no need to reuse the OEM bolts on the new arms. Global West provides all the neces If you're going to use stock style springs, the lower control arms come with a poly cup for an easy indexing of the spring. If you plan to use coilovers, simply remove the poly cup.If you're going to use stock style springs, the lower control arms come with a poly cup fo You may notice that the new upper control arm (once installed) doesn't extend as far as the stock arm. Global West engineered it to give an additional 5-degrees of positive caster.You may notice that the new upper control arm (once installed) doesn't extend as far as th With both arms installed this is how it should look. Reinstalling the tall OEM springs back in place is when the fun part begins.With both arms installed this is how it should look. Reinstalling the tall OEM springs bac The top of the spring should already be indexed in the top arm before the bottom is installed. Installing the springs will be next to impossible without a spring compressor and a second person manning the floor jack. Once the OEM spring is compressed, it may take a few minutes to muscle it into place with pry bars. After the spring is in place, raise the floor jack to further compress the spring and seat it in the lower arm. Now the spindles and shock will continue without any problem. Since the tall OEM spring was used, it took a few more minutes to muscle it back into place. Coilovers or lowering springs will take less effort.The top of the spring should already be indexed in the top arm before the bottom is instal Once everything is installed the alignment shop should be first on the order of business. A technical sheet of alignment instructions from Global West comes with these control arms. Bring the instructions with you for reference when the car is aligned. You will notice less pitch when rounding corners and reduced bump steer. This '57 will also steer a lot straighter on the highway. What's not to love about that? As for the stock stamped arms, save 'em or sell 'em at the next Super Chevy show swap meet.Once everything is installed the alignment shop should be first on the order of business. SOURCES Global West Suspension 877-470-2975 www.globalwest.net Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
