Product Description:
Hawks Motorsports is proud to offer our clients this : 1970-1981 Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Trans Am Front Upper A-Arm Mounting Hardware Kit from UMI Performance.
UMI Performance #2601 provides the high-grade fasteners needed to attach both front upper control-arm cross shafts to the subframe of second-generation GM F-body vehicles.
The kit contains four zinc-plated bolts, eight flat washers, and four nylon-insert locking nuts. Each front upper control arm uses two mounting bolts, providing the hardware required for both the driver- and passenger-side upper A-arms.
UMI-2601 can be used with compatible UMI Performance upper A-arms, original GM upper control arms, factory-style replacement arms, and other aftermarket upper control arms that retain the original mounting arrangement.
This kit is an excellent choice when installing new upper A-arms or replacing original mounting fasteners that are worn, rusted, seized, damaged, or missing. The zinc-plated finish helps protect the hardware against corrosion while providing a clean, finished appearance.
Complete Kit Contents
- Four high-grade upper A-arm mounting bolts
- Eight flat washers
- Four nylon-insert locking nuts
- Zinc-plated finish
- Hardware for both front upper control arms
- Hardware for the driver- and passenger-side cross-shaft mounting locations
Compatible Upper Control Arms
UMI-2601 is compatible with:
- Applicable UMI Performance front upper A-arms
- Original GM front upper control arms
- Factory-style replacement upper control arms
- Tubular aftermarket upper control arms using the original mounting arrangement
- Fixed-position upper control arms
- Adjustable upper control arms using compatible cross-shaft mounts
- Polyurethane-bushed upper control arms
- Delrin-bushed upper control arms
- Rubber-bushed upper control arms
Always confirm the upper-control-arm manufacturer specifies the original mounting arrangement before installation.
Important Package Information
UMI-2601 provides the mounting hardware used to attach both upper-control-arm cross shafts to the vehicle’s subframe.
The following components are not part of UMI-2601:
- Front upper control arms
- Upper-control-arm cross shafts
- Alignment shims
- Upper-control-arm bushings
- Ball joints
- Ball-joint castle nuts or cotter pins
- Lower-control-arm hardware
- Coil-spring hardware
- Shock mounting hardware
- Sway-bar hardware
- Steering components
Preserve the original alignment-shim locations and quantities as starting references during installation. A professional front-end alignment is still required after replacing or disturbing the upper control arms.
Upper-Only Versus Upper-and-Lower Hardware
UMI-2601 supplies the front upper A-arm mounting hardware for the entire 1970-1981 Camaro and Firebird range.
For projects requiring both upper- and lower-control-arm hardware:
- Use UMI-2602 on applicable 1970-1974 Camaro and Firebird models.
- Use UMI-2603 on applicable 1975-1981 Camaro and Firebird models.
The combined kits differ because 1970-1974 F-body lower A-arms use standard 1/2-inch mounting hardware, while 1975-1981 F-body lower A-arms use metric 14mm mounting hardware. The upper A-arm mounting arrangement remains the same throughout the 1970-1981 range.
4. KEY FEATURES
- Designed for 1970-1981 second-generation GM F-body vehicles
- Fits Chevrolet Camaro models
- Fits Pontiac Firebird models
- Fits Pontiac Formula models
- Fits Pontiac Trans Am models
- Designed for the front upper control arms
- Attaches the upper-control-arm cross shafts to the subframe
- Supplies hardware for both front upper A-arms
- Includes four high-grade mounting bolts
- Includes eight flat washers
- Includes four nylon-insert locking nuts
- Nylon locking inserts help resist loosening caused by normal vibration
- Zinc-plated finish
- Zinc plating helps protect against corrosion
- Replaces worn, rusted, seized, damaged, or missing original fasteners
- Compatible with applicable UMI Performance upper A-arms
- Compatible with applicable original GM upper control arms
- Compatible with factory-style replacement upper control arms
- Compatible with many aftermarket tubular upper control arms
- Compatible with fixed or adjustable upper A-arms using the original mounting arrangement
- Suitable for rubber-bushed upper control arms
- Suitable for polyurethane-bushed upper control arms
- Suitable for Delrin-bushed upper control arms
- Suitable for restoration projects
- Suitable for front-suspension rebuilds
- Suitable for performance-street vehicles
- Suitable for Pro-Touring applications
- Suitable for autocross and road-course builds
- Suitable for compatible drag-racing applications
- Does not include alignment shims
- Does not include upper control arms
- Does not include lower-control-arm mounting hardware
- Does not include ball-joint hardware
- One complete kit services both upper A-arms
- UMI-2602 is the combined upper-and-lower kit for 1970-1974 F-body models
- UMI-2603 is the combined upper-and-lower kit for 1975-1981 F-body models
- UMI Performance part #2601
- Hawks Motorsports part #UMI-2601
5. MODEL INTERCHANGE AND FITMENT
UMI Performance catalogs #2601 for 1970-1981 Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird models.
Fitment is based on the vehicle’s upper-control-arm cross-shaft mounting arrangement and is not normally affected by engine size, transmission type, brake configuration, body style, or trim package.
Chevrolet Camaro Applications
- 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1971 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1972 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1973 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1974 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1975 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1976 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1977 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1978 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1979 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1980 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1981 Chevrolet Camaro
Includes applicable:
- Camaro Base
- Camaro Sport Coupe
- Camaro Rally Sport
- Camaro RS
- Camaro Super Sport
- Camaro SS
- Camaro Z28
- Camaro Type LT
- Camaro Berlinetta
- Other factory trim and appearance packages retaining the original upper A-arm mounting arrangement
Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am Applications
- 1970 Pontiac Firebird
- 1971 Pontiac Firebird
- 1972 Pontiac Firebird
- 1973 Pontiac Firebird
- 1974 Pontiac Firebird
- 1975 Pontiac Firebird
- 1976 Pontiac Firebird
- 1977 Pontiac Firebird
- 1978 Pontiac Firebird
- 1979 Pontiac Firebird
- 1980 Pontiac Firebird
- 1981 Pontiac Firebird
Includes applicable:
- Firebird Base
- Firebird Esprit
- Firebird Formula
- Firebird Trans Am
- Trans Am Special Edition
- Turbo Trans Am
- Other factory trim and appearance packages retaining the original upper A-arm mounting arrangement
Important Fitment Notes
- UMI-2601 mounts the front upper A-arm cross shafts to the subframe.
- One kit services both front upper control arms.
- Each upper-control-arm cross shaft uses two mounting bolts.
- Compatible with applicable factory and aftermarket upper control arms.
- Confirm compatibility when using custom-fabricated or heavily modified control arms.
- Inspect the upper A-arm cross shafts and mounting surfaces before installation.
- Inspect the subframe mounting holes for corrosion, cracking, distortion, or elongation.
- Previous collision damage or subframe repairs may affect fitment and alignment.
- Alignment shims are not included.
- Record and preserve the original alignment-shim stack at each mounting location.
- Do not use washers as substitutes for proper front-end alignment shims.
- This kit does not include lower-control-arm hardware.
- Use UMI-2602 when replacing both upper- and lower-A-arm hardware on applicable 1970-1974 F-body models.
- Use UMI-2603 when replacing both upper- and lower-A-arm hardware on applicable 1975-1981 F-body models.
- UMI-2601 should not be presented as a 1967-1969 Camaro or Firebird hardware kit.
- UMI catalogs this part for additional GM platforms, but this Hawks Motorsports listing is specifically written for 1970-1981 Camaro, Firebird, Formula, and Trans Am applications.
6. INSTALLATION NOTES
- Review the vehicle service manual and control-arm manufacturer’s instructions before installation.
- Confirm that the vehicle and upper control arms retain the original upper cross-shaft mounting arrangement.
- Park the vehicle on a solid, level surface.
- Chock the rear wheels before raising the front of the vehicle.
- Safely raise and support the vehicle using properly rated lifting equipment.
- Support the vehicle beneath the subframe at approved lifting points.
- Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a hydraulic jack.
- Remove the front wheels to provide safe access to the upper control arms.
- Front coil springs store substantial energy and can cause serious injury if improperly handled.
- Support the lower control arm before separating an upper ball joint or removing an upper control arm.
- Mark and record the location, thickness, and quantity of the alignment shims at each cross-shaft mounting point.
- Keep the driver- and passenger-side shim packs separated and properly identified.
- Do not assume that both sides of the vehicle will use identical shim arrangements.
- Inspect the cross shaft for rust, cracks, wear, bending, or damaged mounting surfaces.
- Inspect the subframe mounting locations for rust, cracking, distortion, or elongated holes.
- Repair damaged subframe mounting points before installing new hardware.
- Position the alignment shims between the upper-control-arm cross shaft and subframe as required.
- Install the supplied bolts, washers, and nylon locking nuts according to the vehicle or control-arm manufacturer’s instructions.
- Confirm that the supplied washers are positioned correctly.
- Make sure each bolt passes completely through its mounting location.
- Verify full thread engagement through every nylon locking nut.
- Do not force a bolt through a misaligned cross shaft or damaged subframe hole.
- Do not use damaged fasteners or fasteners with contaminated threads.
- If only replacing the hardware while retaining the installed control arm, securely support the arm and avoid removing all mounting fasteners simultaneously.
- If replacing an upper control arm, loosely mount the cross shaft to the subframe before connecting the upper ball joint to the spindle.
- Follow the appropriate vehicle service manual or upper-control-arm manufacturer’s torque procedure.
- UMI does not publish a universal torque specification for UMI-2601 that applies to every factory and aftermarket upper control arm.
- Do not use an unsupported torque value based solely on bolt appearance.
- Confirm that the upper control arm moves through its intended range without binding.
- Check clearance around the coil spring, shock, brake lines, steering linkage, sway bar, wheel, and tire.
- Reinstall the original alignment shims only as an initial reference setting.
- Complete a professional front-end alignment after installation.
- Verify camber, caster, and toe following the control-arm manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Reinspect the mounting hardware after the initial road test.
- Periodically inspect the fasteners and upper-control-arm mounting locations as part of normal suspension maintenance.
