1962 upper control arms

[ss396t6]

I need the right and left upper control arms according to my daughter’s mechanic. Any leads?
Power top relay part number?

Thanks,
Scott

[jopizz]

Control arms don't normally go bad. Usually the bushings go bad and can be replaced. They are readily available.

Which top relay do you need. There are eight in the back and one in the engine compartment.

John

[ss396t6]

Control arms don't normally go bad. Usually the bushings go bad and can be replaced. They are readily available.

Which top relay do you need. There are eight in the back and one in the engine compartment.

John

John, thanks. Are all relays the same part number? How do I know which one or all?

[jopizz]

John, thanks. Are all relays the same part number? How do I know which one or all?

In the back there are six three prong relays; part# C1SF-15672-A and two two prong relays; part# C0SF-15672-D. Those relays are readily available from the Thunderbird vendors. In the engine compartment there is one neutral safety relay; part# C0SF-15A688-A. That relay is not available new. Most relays can be taken apart and cleaned and will work just fine. However most mechanics will not want to take the time to do it so they would rather buy new ones at your expense of course. New relays are $50-60. The convertible repair guide is available for download here for free:

http://fordramair.com/new/info/tech/T-Bird_manuals/tbird_manuals.htm

There are also troubleshooting guides in the Technical Resource Library. I would use them first before putting out any money for new relays.

John

[ss396t6]

In the back there are six three prong relays; part# C1SF-15672-A and two two prong relays; part# C0SF-15672-D. Those relays are readily available from the Thunderbird vendors. In the engine compartment there is one neutral safety relay; part# C0SF-15A688-A. That relay is not available new. Most relays can be taken apart and cleaned and will work just fine. However most mechanics will not want to take the time to do it so they would rather buy new ones at your expense of course. New relays are $50-60. The convertible repair guide is available for download here for free:
http://fordramair.com/new/info/tech/...rd_manuals.htm
There are also troubleshooting guides in the Technical Resource Library. I would use them first before putting out any money for new relays.

John

Yes, thanks, I sent those links to my daughter after reviewing them. Quite comprehensive and tremendous tool for owners. Also, thank you for those relay part numbers. The folks here on the Squarebirds have been of great help in the past.

[ss396t6]

Dilemma: 1961-1963 left and right upper control arms look exactly the same. Are they?

This comment from an eBay seller:
“I compared these, Lower control arms right hand left hand are clearly different. However the upper right and left look exactly the same. Also compared a 63 and 66 upper control arm which looked just the same.”

[jopizz]

Dilemma: 1961-1963 left and right upper control arms look exactly the same. Are they?

This comment from an eBay seller:
“I compared these, Lower control arms right hand left hand are clearly different. However the upper right and left look exactly the same. Also compared a 63 and 66 upper control arm which looked just the same.”

They have different part numbers so there is something different between right and left. Also '63-66 are different from '61-62. As I mentioned before why do you need to replace the control arms. Unless the spring perches are cracked or they are bent due to an accident I don't know you need to replace them instead of just replacing the bushings. What makes you think the ones on Ebay are better than what you have.

John

[ss396t6]

They have different part numbers so there is something different between right and left. Also '63-66 are different from '61-62. As I mentioned before why do you need to replace the control arms. Unless the spring perches are cracked or they are bent due to an accident I don't know you need to replace them instead of just replacing the bushings. What makes you think the ones on Ebay are better than what you have.

John

The car originally came from the New York area and later Corpus Christi before ending its journey in north Dallas and while it was factory undercoated unfortunately there was extensive rusting on parts that wasn’t protected.

[jopizz]

I live in New Jersey and I've had dozens of Northeast cars and I've never seen upper control arms rust where they have to be replaced. There is probably no heavier metal on the entire car. They can easily be sandblasted and reused. If there was that kind of rust then the whole car would be junk.

John

[ss396t6]

I live in New Jersey and I've had dozens of Northeast cars and I've never seen upper control arms rust where they have to be replaced. There is probably no heavier metal on the entire car. They can easily be sandblasted and reused. If there was that kind of rust then the whole car would be junk.

John

John, I really don’t know but you do have a point. I am asking my daughter the same question. Are they aethestically unpleasant to look at or really that bad?

[simplyconnected]

I agree with John and I'm in Detroit. The only control arms I have ever seen replaced were ones involved in a collision.

When I do a control arm job, I use my steel stamp set to mark the 'F'ront 'R'ight for example on the arms and shafts. Make the marks visible from under the hood. Take lots of pictures as you go so the assemblies go together the same way they came out. - Dave

[GeoffInCarlsbad]

Upper Control Arms

When I rebuilt my front end, I found my upper control arms to be in really solid condition. They looked terrible at first glance, but once I took some diesel to clean them up, and repaint them, they were as good as new. They are very, very heavy duty, and the likely hood of them rusting through is pretty low.

I replaced all the bushings, ball joints, etc. It was really not difficult to do this in a few hours.

[Hadders]

Upper control arms left or right!

Just reading through this thread and its mentioned that the upper control arms are different but any one know why and where the p/number is as I might of mixed mine up!