How many of you have rebuilt your upper control arms? My '70 needs bushings ASAP...original. I've done this on another make vehicle...on that particular vehicle controlling/releasing the coil tension was the major factor. Does this hold true on these MOPARS?
Upper A-arms
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mac
What ?
the uppers can be removed without releasing the tension on the torsion bars. jack it up first.
Big John
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Jack stands need to be under lower control arms or the torsion bar adjustment bolts need to be backed off so there is no tension.
Easier to use jack stands.
Easier to use jack stands.
Big John
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But.... If the upper bushings are shot... chances are the lower ones are toast too.
That's probably the case...so which order of disassembly is correct to change bushings in both?
69hemibeep
Sponge Bob Square Wheels
I would inspect the ball joints also your going to be so deep into it! Pull the snubbers off the frame the the upper arms would rest on when lifted. Then lift the car and put jack stands under the frame rails. Now back the torsion bar adjusting bolts off no more tension and make sure the suspension is relaxed and the upper arms are resting on the frame. Now pull the torsion bar clips off the back end of the bars and remove the bars, there is a special tool for this. I have wrapped a chain around the bar and used a come along off the rear spring too pop them loose and never left a mark on the bars.Now you can remove both the upper and lower control arms. Service manual will walk you threw it. Do you have the tools to replace the bushings or farm that work out, it takes a press and special tools for the lowers to do it right?
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Big John
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Loosen tension on torsion bars.
Separate outer tie rod.
Separate upper and lower ball joints. I'd replace them too since it's apart.
Remove upper arms
Remove torsion bars
Remove strut bars. Replace those bushings too.
Remove lower control arms
I'm not going to get into details on each. Your FSM is your friend on most of this.
On assembly... This is very important.
Do not tighten bolts on upper and lower bushings until front end is fully assembled and car is at ride height. The bushings will tear if this is not done.
Separate outer tie rod.
Separate upper and lower ball joints. I'd replace them too since it's apart.
Remove upper arms
Remove torsion bars
Remove strut bars. Replace those bushings too.
Remove lower control arms
I'm not going to get into details on each. Your FSM is your friend on most of this.
On assembly... This is very important.
Do not tighten bolts on upper and lower bushings until front end is fully assembled and car is at ride height. The bushings will tear if this is not done.
69hemibeep
Sponge Bob Square Wheels
First do a full inspection to see how far you need to go. No sense doing uppers just to take it apart again. Your talking wheel alignment each time
Basketcase
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If the parts look original. might as well get a front end kit and do it all at one time.
quikbird
Well-Known Member
Last kit I used came from PST
quikbird
Well-Known Member
Ps, if you are thinking about switching to front discs, now is the time.
Good advice!
That would be the time....BUT...I'm concerned that by switching to front discs I would strip the car of its originality. On the other hand, if I were to find an OEM front disc brake kit it might be well worth the time and effort.