The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the National Street Rod Association and/or StreetScene Magazine.
Missing Bolts, Nuts and Washers
A s NSRA Safety Inspectors we are constantly looking for those bolts that are loose or even missing. Along with the bolts sometimes the washers and nuts are also loose or com- pletely gone. One of the areas that is most prevalent, especially in Tri-Fives, Novas and other mus- cle cars with sub frames is those bolts in the upper control arms. We often see cars with GM front end clips from the early ‘70s installed on street rods. They uti- lize rubber upper control arm bushings retained in place by a large washer and a 3/8-24 bolt at each end. We usually check for torn or cracked bushings which means we often must lift a rubber dust cover to see the bolt. Cracks in rubber just happen with age, which is why we usually find cracked rubber bushings on older builds or original cars. The prob- lem is that we find the retaining
bolts loose. If we can turn them with our fingers or see them backed out a visible distance because someone failed to install them to the proper torque, there’s a good chance if left unchecked the bolt will eventually work its way out along with the retaining washer and then the rubber bushing is free to fall out as well. Please check and make sure these bolts are tightened to 40ft.lbs. of torque with the vehicle sitting on the ground. The upper control arms are a vital component of a car’s suspen- sion system. They are the link between the front wheels’ spin- dle via a ball joint connection and the car’s frame via rubber bushings. The upper control arm connects to the uppermost part of the spindle, while its counter- part, the lower control arm, con- nects to the lower part of the spindle. They are a critical compo-
nent of a car’s suspension geome- try. Both arms work together to ensure the car’s stability and steer- ability, allowing the vehicle’s weight to shift smoothly during acceleration and deceleration. The upper control arm is responsi- ble for wheel alignment and dri- vability, while the lower control arm bears most of the weight and ensures the tire remains in contact with the ground. This explanation of the sus- pension system is why it is very critical that we check the bolts and washers to find any that might be loose or missing. When a bolt is out of an upper control arm, the wheel loses its stable connection to the chassis, caus- ing unstable pulling to one side or another, clunking noises, rougher ride, and a major risk of the wheel separating leading to tire damage, axle misalignment, or complete wheel loss, making the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive and requiring immediate repair. Based on feedback from our inspectors, control arm bolts not being installed properly and/or simply loosening over time is just one example of loose or missing fasteners that could lead to a very serious accident. This is an excel- lent reason to have your vehicle inspected regularly by your NSRA Safety Team members. It’s an extra set of eyes, and it’s what we have experience doing, so at your next NSRA event come on over and get inspected.
Carol Barnhill Arkansas State Safety Inspector
78 MARCH 2026
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