Cheap And Easy A- And G-Body Rear Suspension Upgrade From Currie

Currie

This new-age classic is beginning to find more aftermarket support in the pursuit of performance.

The term classic, in regard to automobiles, is an ever-evolving term. If you were around during the ‘60s, a classic was your dad’s ’33 coupe. If you were around in the ‘80s, your classic was your dad’s muscle car. Now, however, a classic could be as new as an ’80s-era vehicle. It’s all about perception.

The Johnny Joint will replace the OE rubber bushing in a stock or aftermarket arm.

And, in case you haven’t noticed, there are a growing number of ’78 through ‘88 GM G-body vehicles that are getting touched by hot rodders. Currie Enterprises has noticed, and has developed suspension components that put a little performance into these new “classics”.

Power output notwithstanding, putting a little performance into these cars does require a few upgrades. For instance, the rear suspension used on A and G-body cars use upper control arms that are tasked to perform two separate, but equally important, operations. Each of these tasks involve two completely different forces acting on them.

Task one is to establish the lateral restraint point for the rearend. This is done by the converging angle at which they operate. The second is to limit pinion movement during acceleration and braking. While it is doing this, it must still allow the axle to move independent of the chassis. If the axle simply moved up and down equal amounts – and at the same time – all would be fine. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. When one wheel moves up, the upper links need to be able to either flex or articulate. That’s where the rubber bushings in the control arms come into play.

Some upgrade to Poly bushings, but they vigorously limit that flex. Del-a-lum is another type of material used to replace the rubber bushing, but it is basically a solid bushing. These materials can inject a small amount of bind, and interfere with the articulation. Enter the Johnny Joint.

The Currie Johnny Joint is a urethane bushed, spherical ball joint that replaces the OE rubber bushing. “We have found lifespan is greater, as well as eliminating squeaks as you commonly get with rubber. The durometer of our poly can be, and has been, adjusted to exactly what we need for what we do with the vehicles to be a perfect all around unit for a long life in on, and off road use. The poly also has some “slippery” built into the material to assist in smooth operation,” said Brian Shephard of Currie Enterprises.

Currie

Custom suspension parts can even benefit from the Johnny Joint.

The proprietary urethane surrounds a smooth, heat-treated inner ball that rotates without binding. They are designed to allow the car’s suspension to move freely as a smooth, hardened-ball center rotates inside the bushing without binding or tearing the bushing material. Johnny Joints are available in units that delver up to 40 degrees of articulation, so you can be sure they have one for your application.

Like any parts on your car, will last longer if you give them just a little maintenance. So, the folks at Currie made the joint greasable, and just in case something does happen, they are rebuildable. “The internals are retained into the body by a snap ring, so a guy can get them apart with a combination of sockets and tubing – or – just buy our handy dandy tool for this job,” Brian stated.

If you’re interested in learning more about making your A- or G-body handle better, just contact Currie. They’ll help you get it “straightened out.”

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About the author

Randy Bolig

Randy Bolig has been working on cars and has been involved in the hobby ever since he bought his first car when he was only 14 years old. His passion for performance got him noticed by many locals, and he began helping them modify their vehicles.
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