Front Cossmember Question

[Jim65]

Is there or what are the difference(s) between and Early model front crossmember and one from a late model?

[66vairguy]

Is there or what are the difference(s) between and Early model front crossmember and one from a late model?

AFAIK - they both have the same body bolt patterns. The LM units were designed so the camber was adjusted with lower eccentric bolts, while the EM unit shimmed the upper "A" arm support.

The LM sway bar attachments were "beefed up", but I'm not exactly sure what was done, but it may have just been the lower control arm attachments.

Some have bolted the LM crossmember, sway bar, upper "A" arms, lower control arms into an EM, BUT they use EM spindles to keep the track the same and to use the four bolt wheel pattern. This gives you the big sway bar and the easier lower control arm camber adjustment. One EM wagon owner who did this reported this improved handling.

Others will probably have more information.

[Jim65]

Is there or what are the difference(s) between and Early model front crossmember and one from a late model?

AFAIK - they both have the same body bolt patterns. The LM units were designed so the camber was adjusted with lower eccentric bolts, while the EM unit shimmed the upper "A" arm support.

I should have thought of this, thanks for the info.

[caraholic4life]

Even though the crossmember is interchangeable from early to late and late to early, there is one major difference that may be important depending on what your goal is.

IF my memory serves me correctly.....

The early model suspension has a Round Hole to attach the lower control arm.
The late model suspension has an Oblong hole to attach the lower control arm.

The Oblong hole allows the lower control arm to be adjusted for the front end allignment.
The Round hole requires the adjustment to be made at the upper control arm cross shaft with shims.

I learned this back in the '70's when someone I know inadvertently installed a early crossmember in a late car.
The difference wasn't noted until after it was installed and the alignment process started.

[Frank DuVal]

Then just adjust like early, by changing shims on upper control arm!