1995 Chevy Impala SS Suspension Upgrades - Handle Your Business

1995 Chevy Impala SS Suspension Upgrades - Handle Your Business
From the November 2009 issue of GM High-Tech Performance:

Extended lower and upper control arms were installed on the rearend. A photo showed the rearend being pulled backwards using a ratchet strap in order to line up the rear LCA bolt hole.

What I'd like to know is, how does this affect the drive shaft?  It seems that the drive shaft would have to be replaced.  I'm guessing the rearend was moved back a couple of inches or more.

If anyone has any knowledge about this, I'd appreciate hearing from you.  Thanks for the input.

Runesman  

Runesman,

Good question. With the extended BMR control arms that we used, the rear was moved back .75-inches and did not need a new, longer driveshaft. According to BMR, some installs will need a longer unit and some won't, as it depends on the ride height of the car and each owner/installer should check during the installation to confirm.

I hope that answers your question, sorry that I don't have a definitive answer.

Thanks for reading,

Justin  

Justin

Thank you for the reply. I thought the movement would be considerably more. In your considered opinion, did this put any undue strain on the drive shaft and u-joints? Would there be any performance difference with the standard length BMR control arms vs. the extended length?

For the record, my 95 Impala SS is stock. Unfortunately, their was no paperwork with the car; no manuals, no service records, absolutely nothing.

Thanks, again, for the info.

Runesman  

Runesman,

We haven't experienced any negative effects from installing the extended arms but if you don't care about the aesthetics (centering the wheel is really just for 'looks') the regular BMR control arms would functionally perform just as well, without the risk of having to install a new driveshaft.

Let us know what you decide,

Justin