My 64 Nova SS

I am in the middle of restoring my 1964 Nova SS. I was wondering is there was any way to stiffen up the front end of my 1964 Nova SS.. It seems to float around alot. The bushings all look good, but the car seems to be all over the highway. Alot of mushy up and down motion,( springs maybe) and it feels like I am always having to componsate with the steering due to the drifting a little.. I though it could be the springs up front, but I did the test where you push them down and they should not keep bouncing. They seemed fince..

Any help would be appreciated.. I will post pics soon

CPP has just what ya need
http://www.classicperform.com/NewProducts/2006/NewFiles/NovaSubFrame.htm the standard kit is the best bang for the buck

That is sweet.. That is the only way to fix it?? I am restoring it, and want to keep it all original. I was hoping something was worn out somewhere and you guys could point me into the right direction.. Thanks for the info...

Truth be told you can make the stock stuff work...for awhile. Many cars use that basic lower control arm design and do just fine with it. It's just an old design. I chose to go with the CPP kit because of its' simplicity and price. I couldn't be happier with my decision. I installed the kit well over a year ago and the car is rock, solid, stable! I autocross the car regularly and it just stays planted.

I am in the middle of restoring my 1964 Nova SS. I was wondering is there was any way to stiffen up the front end of my 1964 Nova SS.. It seems to float around alot. The bushings all look good, but the car seems to be all over the highway. Alot of mushy up and down motion,( springs maybe) and it feels like I am always having to componsate with the steering due to the drifting a little.. I though it could be the springs up front, but I did the test where you push them down and they should not keep bouncing. They seemed fince..

Any help would be appreciated.. I will post pics soon



After we agree that the front end under a Chevy II is a very cheap, fundamental design, we could say even at that, your car should not be all over the highway requiring constant corrections. That often means something is loose or the toe-in is off, bad tires, etc.

Your car should run straight down the road without wandering around with the stock suspension and steering. Just make sure what you have is in good shape, especially the shocks.

If you can not find anything yourself have the alignment checked a reputable shop will be able to spot worn joints, bushings etc. as stated above it should not wonder if everything is up to par.

Depending on you mileage, your steering box gears may be worn. I know mine was shot at 100,000 miles and made the car wonder from side to side going down the road.

Are you limiting yourself to stock parts, or would you use poly bushings, stiffer springs and a sway bar?

If it's "mushy" up and down it sounds like the shock absorbers. What shocks are you using?

I am in the middle of restoring my 1964 Nova SS. I was wondering is there was any way to stiffen up the front end of my 1964 Nova SS.. It seems to float around alot. The bushings all look good, but the car seems to be all over the highway. Alot of mushy up and down motion,( springs maybe) and it feels like I am always having to componsate with the steering due to the drifting a little.. I though it could be the springs up front, but I did the test where you push them down and they should not keep bouncing. They seemed fince..

Any help would be appreciated.. I will post pics soon

I just went through this with my 67. Everything on the front looked good....but in reality it wasn't. I have ordered the CPP kit for the lower arms and in taking mine apart, found the control arm upper bushings were shot. Also the spring perch bushing on one side was steel on steel........OUCH!!
Shocks were also history. Have installed the new bushings and perch's now but not the shocks or CPP kit. Not in yet.
Took it for a small trip on the road and was a lot better.....even with no shocks yet.
Can't wait till the rest is here and the swaybar is installed.

Thanks guys for all your help. I actually want to keep it stock as much as possible. I did notice the stock sway bar bushings look a little smashed and cracked. I guess, that I will just start replacing all the bushings on the fron end...How do I test the shocks? they look new, but maybe they are cheap.. I just got the car about 3 weeks ago... What do you guys recommend that I change on the front end to make it better if i want to keep it all stock looking.. Thanks Again

OK, I guess nobody has any more information..Thanks

Hey sped im with pro nava. Shocks try it there cheep, get a good quality from baxter, this will stiffen it. Then if you are truly restoing your car they why would you rebolt up old bushings? There cheep and they will make things tighter under the frame. If you can't press on your own bushings you might consider upgrading to the ccp(?) lower control arms, paying someone to install this may cost nearly as much as just upgrading. But hey if completly stock is your game then stick with it. Good luck PS did all the above plus some and it went from scary bad to damn right awesomehandling.

This may be a stupid question but does the 1st gen Nova steering/handling differ if it's a V-8 than a "6"?

It looks like there is new set of shocks up front,but they look like the cheap plain black kind you would buy at any auto parts store. Do you think putting in a better set might make a difference.