Upper A-Arm Dust Sheilds

[camaronut]

This drives me even more nutty than upside-down cowl induction air-cleaner seals........

Aren't the rubber dust sheilds that are stapled to the front wheel housings supposed to go into the upper a-arm holes to keep them from flapping around??

That's why the sheilds have a t-flaps to go into these holes......right???

Please tell me I'm right.......almost every first gen Camaro I've seen has the rubber sheilds just laying over the upper control arms which defeats the purpose of keeping road dirt and water from going into the engine bay?  

[jeff68]

That's why the sheilds have a t-flaps to go into these holes......right???

Please tell me I'm right.......

You're right.  No idea what keeps people from putting the flaps into the holes.

[LM69Z28]

One reason for the flaps being laid on top and no tucked in is in our case our original 43 year old flaps are starting to tear slightly and I do not want to bend or twist them in case they tear more. I have yet to see a decent repro set but please prove me wrong if they actually do exist. I really do prefer not to remove original parts from a mostly original car unless absolutely necessary or NOS parts can be found as replacements.
just my 2 cents
LM69Z28

[m22mike]

This drives me even more nutty than upside-down cowl induction air-cleaner seals........

Aren't the rubber dust sheilds that are stapled to the front wheel housings supposed to go into the upper a-arm holes to keep them from flapping around??

That's why the sheilds have a t-flaps to go into these holes......right???

Please tell me I'm right.......almost every first gen Camaro I've seen has the rubber sheilds just laying over the upper control arms which defeats the purpose of keeping road dirt and water from going into the engine bay? 

Camaronut....thank you, both of those make me nuts too. I once restored a 69 Zee and the first thing the owner did was reach down into the engine bay and pull out the rubber shields from the upper control arms, his comment, why did you put them in there....:>(

[joesauer]

If you are looking for some repro A arm dust shields that fit good, try Montco Manufacturing (Mena, Arkansas), part # CA109.  Put them on my 68, and they fit good & tucked in properly.  Also, check out various other post on this forum on using 16 to 19 gauge wire instead of staples.   Sure made installing the shields easier for me.  Thanks for that advice guys.

[srode]

I have seen plenty untucked, but more not even installed - both on very nicely done cars.  Both amazing to me really.

[camaronut]

When I was at Carlisle last Friday, I walked the car corral.

Every 1st gen Camaro I saw (and there were plenty) had them out......not one was installed correctly....and......about everyone that had cowl induction seals on upside down.

Amazing.   An $80K 69 Z28 (maybe worth $40K on a good day)....both items...WRONG!!!!!!! I shook my head and walked away....

[NoYenko]

I worked for a Chevy dealer when these cars were fairly new and don't remember any shields tucked in like they were designed. We changed quite a few shocks back then and you had to pull them out of the way. George

[DT]

I just installed new shields from Heartbeat City. Look pretty damn good to me. I was pleased with the quality. Didn't use the staples though.

[tmodel66]

My shields came from Metro and turned out nice. Used a welding rod to make staples.

[JohnZ]

When they left the plant, they were tucked in - who knows what was done to them later.

[mickeystoys69RSSS]

Mine were tucked in when I bought the car and are still that way.

[camaronut]

JohnZ.....I'm glad you chimed in.

You were there.....you should know.

Thanks...

I wonder if any points are taken-off cars in the Legends Class cars at the Nationals for this and upside-down cowl induction seals........if they don't...they really should.......