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Doc Frohmader of Air Ride Technologiesstrongbr a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads201310top3.jpg"img class"size-medium wp-image-273 alignleft" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads201310top3-300x224.jpg" alt"top" "300" height"224" aOne of the things I see as most admirable and effective about the 1955-57 Chevy is the suspension design. It was the first of the strong, lightweight, open driveline, modern IFS (Independent Front Suspension) cars that GM would do so well with for many years after. This IFS was very well designed and in many ways a better design than later GM IFS. I believe it to be superior by far to the 70's and 80's GM IFS, for example. For that reason, this suspension was more often upgraded as technology advanced rather than replaced. Racers and rodders both found that to make them shine on the roads and on the track only took a bit more tweaking instead of heavy modification (like sub-framing). As of a to develop a series of bolt-on control arms called StrongArms, Air Ride has outdone themselves. Of course, they are in the business of fabricating and selling air suspension components, so these arms designed to be used with Air Ride suspension. In this case the kit is designed for use with their ShockWave combination air spring and adjustable billet race-style shock. If youve seen the AirBar rear suspension, you know that the StrongArm front kit is the complement. As you'll find with any Air Ride kit, it was carefully engineered to fit on real-life cars and to be installed with a minimum of modification to the original car. The control arms were tweaked to fit and function in the car as designed, but also to allow significant lowering without with alignment limitations. Made from heavy-wall steel tubing, these arms are much stronger than the originals and use modern bushings and ball-joints to keep service or replacement costs to a minimum. Then there's the ride. There isn't a steel spring made that will allow you the control and adjustability of ride quality of a ShockWave. It's a matter of technology. Spring deflection rates for steel springs are linear. They are non-adjustable other than by replacement. A designed air spring has what's known as an S-shaped deflection rate curve where the rate rises as compression increases and drops as rebound increases (with a long central area where the rate remains fairly constant). Of course air springs are easily adjustable with air The inspired combination of strong, stable StrongArm control arms and the ride quality of the ShockWaves make the combination of strength and ride quality. With the adjustable shocks inside the ShockWaves, you can easily dial in the ride and qualities you like best and change them as your tastes or conditions demand. Add a set of dropped spindles and disc brakes as a bolt-on and you've got a 50-year-old suspension fully capable of the kind of high handling and silky smooth ride that we only dreamed of in days So away the cutting torch and toss that Camaro sub-frame back into the scrap where it belongs. Here's a much better way that doesn't require hacking junk onto your beautiful classic. This month we will cover the front installation while next month we will install the rear ShockWave and AirBar kits. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads201310middle-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-274" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads201310middle-front-300x172.jpg" alt"middle- front" "300" height"172" abr strongParts Needed:strongbr a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontshock" target"blank"strong21-317stronga Front ShockWave Adjustable Shock Kitbr a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-strongarm-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontstrongarm" target"blank"strong21-318stronga Front StrongArm and ShockWave Kitbr a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-4-wheel-complete-air-system-with-4-way-ride-control-ridepro-e2-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--rideprocompressor" target"blank"strong21-305stronga RidePro Air Compressor and Ride Control Kitbr To order call strong1-800-456-1957strong or visit a href"http:www.Ecklerstransmission-and-driveline.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--websitelink"ClassicChevy.comabr strongTools Needed:strongbr Coil Spring Compressorbr Floor Jackbr Ratchet and Assorted Socketsbr Cut-Off Wheelbr Grinderbr strongTime Frame:strongbr 8 Hoursbr a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013101-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-275" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013101-front-300x200.jpg" alt"1-front" "300" height"200" abr strongPhoto 1:strongbr You might not tell the front suspension from a '55, a '65, or a '75 model GM car at first glance. There really wasn't a lot of change and most of it was negative on the newer cars. If you consider this, you might realize that hacking in a Camaro clip accomplishes very little but to make the car worth less. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013102-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-full wp-image-276" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013102-front.jpg" alt"2-front" "285" height"246" abr strongPhoto 2:strongbr This upgrade will involve replacing the original drum brakes with discs, so you might as well start off by disconnecting the flex lines at the frame connection. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013103-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-full wp-image-277" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013103-front.jpg" alt"3-front" "267" height"260" abr strongPhoto 3:strongbr Pull the two bolts out of the lower control arm to remove the shock. You can't get the spring out without removing the shock first. The top shock mount is approached from the top inside the engine compartment. This same location will be reused for the ShockWave mounts later. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013104-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-278" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013104-front-300x212.jpg" alt"4-front" "300" height"212" abr strongPhoto 4:strongbr Before you get too far, you'll want to break the tie rod ends and ball joints loose. A good way to do this is to loosen the nuts a little and then the joint on the side with a hammer. A fork also works fine. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013105-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-279" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013105-front-300x180.jpg" alt"5-front" "300" height"180" abr strongPhoto 5:strongbr We decided to work at removing the spring by dropping the lower control arm at the cross shaft end. You'll note the lower ball joint is under the arm so it would have to be lifted up while the inner end can just be dropped down. Be careful, work intelligently, and stay safe. It is best to install a coil spring compressor at this to keep the spring from flying out and damaging you or the car! a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013106-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-280" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013106-front-300x194.jpg" alt"6-front" "300" height"194" abr strongPhoto 6:strongbr Lower the jack down slowly to release the spring and remove the spring. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013107-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-281" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013107-front-300x200.jpg" alt"7-front" "300" height"200" abr strongPhoto 7:strongbr Now you can the lower control arm off the ball joint and get it out of the way. You can also the upper ball joint and remove the whole brake and spindle assembly and get it out of the way. Remove the upper control arm at the studs, keeping the shims together. While the car will have to go in later for alignment, these shims should go back into the same location. You can see here where the upper shock mounts are. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013108-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-283" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013108-front-300x255.jpg" alt"8-front" "300" height"255" abr strongPhoto 8:strongbr Both upper and lower cross shafts must be removed and reused from the control arms if you are using strongPN a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-strongarm-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontstrongarm" target"blank"21-318astrong kit that includes the new upper and lower control arms. If you are installing just the ShockWave shocks strongPN a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontshock" target"blank"21-317astrong with your stock control arms, you may skip the next two steps. Start by driving one of the bushings out from the inside out. Then you can slide the cross shaft back out of the other bushing and into the hole in the control arm. Then back up and it will come out completely. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013109-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-284" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads2013109-front-300x193.jpg" alt"9-front" "300" height"193" abr strongPhoto 9:strongbr The same goes for the lower cross shafts. Here you can see how the bushing is out from the inside. img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-288" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131010-front-good--300x193.jpg" alt"10-front good" "300" height"193" strongPhoto 10:strongbr The new ShockWave shocks strongPN a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontshock" target"blank"21-317astrong (included in kit strongPN a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-strongarm-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontstrongarm" target"blank"21-318astrong) require a little more clearance than the steel coils. Marked here is the area that must be trimmed. Don't worry, it will not alter the strength of the frame at all and if you do a nice job of cleanup you won't even know it was done. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131011-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-289" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131011-front-300x230.jpg" alt"11-front" "300" height"230" abr strongPhoto 11:strongbr See what I mean? All you have done is a little light trim and you'd have to crawl under the car and up into the to see the modification. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131012-front-correct.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-291" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131012-front-correct-300x219.jpg" alt"12-front correct" "300" height"219" abr strongPhoto 12:strongbr Up inside the spring tower you'll see a lip that was made as of the stamping You have to grind this flat and open up the hole just a tad for clearance at the top of the ShockWave shocks. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131013-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-292" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131013-front-300x233.jpg" alt"13-front" "300" height"233" abr strongPhoto 13:strongbr If you look at the top of the tower where the original shock mounted, you'll see a bushing was crimped into the hole. It's wide at the bottom, so you'll grind the lip off the top side and drive the bushing down from the top. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131014-front-GOOD.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-294" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131014-front-GOOD-300x241.jpg" alt"14-front GOOD" "300" height"241" abr strongPhoto 14:strongbr Ready to go back together, clearances checked, we sprayed a little touch-up on the bare metal. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131015-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-full wp-image-295" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131015-front.jpg" alt"15-front" "273" height"175" abr strongPhoto 15:strongbr The upper cross shaft gets a steel bushing onto the shaft on either end. This adapts to the new, modern bushing used in the StrongArm kit and saves having to get vintage a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131016-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-296" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131016-front-300x205.jpg" alt"16-front" "300" height"205" abr strongPhoto 16:strongbr The outer end gets another bushing actually an extension again so the new, larger bushing can be used on the original cross shaft. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131017-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-297" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131017-front-300x188.jpg" alt"17-front" "300" height"188" abr strongPhoto 17:strongbr Just bolt the new upper control arm in using the original hardware and original shim It couldn't be easier. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131018-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-298" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131018-front-300x172.jpg" alt"18-front" "300" height"172" abr strongPhoto 18:strongbr The lower shaft also gets a little change so modern bushings can be used. Look at the boss on the shaft as it came off the car. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131019-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-299" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131019-front-300x193.jpg" alt"19-front" "300" height"193" abr strongPhoto 19:strongbr On one end only, you have to shave a little off the short boss. This allows the shaft to slip into the control arm end when inserting the shaft before the bushings are installed. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131020-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-300" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131020-front-300x152.jpg" alt"20-front" "300" height"152" abr strongPhoto 20:strongbr The shaft has to be worked into the StrongArm before you try to the bushings into the arms. Make sure you have the orientation of the shaft and arm right before you the bushings or you get to start over. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131021-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-301" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131021-front-300x225.jpg" alt"21-front" "300" height"225" abr strongPhoto 21:strongbr Again, original hardware is reused with the original cross shafts. Believe me, this saves you a bunch of cash using original instead of designing and fabricating new shafts and related a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131022-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-full wp-image-302" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131022-front.jpg" alt"22-front" "290" height"253" abr strongPhoto 22:strongbr Bolt the lower control arm onto the original location. Crank the mounting bolts tight but leave the bushings (upper and lower) loose until you have them at ride height. Bushings are in tension above or below ride height if installed right. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131023-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-303" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131023-front-300x208.jpg" alt"23-front" "300" height"208" abr strongPhoto 23:strongbr The upper end of the ShockWave shock has a bayonet mount and you just slip it into the old shock mount hole. There is a urethane bushing on top and bottom, a large flat washer and two nuts to cinch the connection. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131024-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-304" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131024-front-300x225.jpg" alt"24-front" "300" height"225" abr strongPhoto 24:strongbr On this car the owner opted for a two-inch dropped spindle. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131025-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-305" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131025-front-300x227.jpg" alt"25-front" "300" height"227" abr strongPhoto 25:strongbr The lower end of the ShockWave shock mount is the control arm itself. Note there is a spacer on either side of the ShockWave. a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131026-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-306" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131026-front-300x215.jpg" alt"26-front" "300" height"215" abr strongPhoto 26:strongbr The original lower control arm bumpers come off the old arms and bolt to the StongArms. No detail is ignored, and it all works like it was designed that way and was! a href"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131027-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-307" src"mediawp-contentclassicchevyuploads20131027-front-300x205.jpg" alt"27-front" "300" height"205" abr strongPhoto 27:strongbr The complete kit for the tri-5 Chevy StrongArm front suspension. Designed to be easy and uncomplicated as well as bring your into the new century. The ShockWave shocks are fully adjustable for ride height and quality. Both kits strongPN a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontshock" target"blank"21-317astrong and strongPN a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-strongarm-shockwave-kit-front-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--frontstrongarm" target"blank"21-318astrong are compatible with the RidePro compressor and ride control kit strongPN a href"http:www.Ecklerschevy-air-ride-4-wheel-complete-air-system-with-4-way-ride-control-ridepro-e2-1955-1957.html?cmmmcOurSites--Blog--CCI--rideprocompressor" target"blank"21-305astrong. strongspan style"font-family: Times;"Shop for Tri-5 Chevy at a href"http:www.ecklers.com"www.ecklers.comaspanstrongbr strongspan style"font-family: Times;"Follow us on our Tri-5 Facebook a href"https:www.facebook.comEcklersClassicChevy?frefts"Click here and Like us!aspanstrongp