Interference between torsion bar & tie rod end link
#830483
10/15/10 03:19 PM
10/15/10 03:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,142 Tucson, AZ
cruzin
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,142
Tucson, AZ
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What’s my problem??? I reassembled my ’73 Challenger (which included removing the torsion bars) front end suspension and notice that the driver’s side tie rod end link that connects to center link, contacts the torsion bar when I turn the steering wheel.
As you can see from the picture, the top of the end link and the pitman arms are in line with the lower portion of the driver’s side torsion bar. Consequently when the steering wheel is turned to the right they contact one another. I have not placed the wheels on the car and dropped it on the ground however, I don’t recall experiencing this interference problem when I have previously performed K-member removal and front end reassemblies. I did place a jack underneath the lower control arm and loaded the front driver side which did not appear to alleviate this interference. The car is not aligned or ride height set. The passenger side does not have any interference with the torsion bar when rotating the steering wheel.
Initially I thought the pitman arm was incorrect which may have placed the centerlink in an incorrect position. However, I eliminated that the pitman arm is incorrect. I double checked and the torsion bar are correct for each side; driver’s side (left), passenger side (right). The centerlink is not backwards or flipped over either. Everything was bolted up and initially I did not notice the interference since I had everything pointed straight. I did replace the steering box with a Firm Feel however, they assured me that it’s not the issue and comparing it to another ’73 Challenger, the pitman arm’s drop appears to be in the correct position. I double checked the outside tie rods and they are correctly orientated on the lower ball joint. At this point, I’m lost what else it can be. The only other thing I’m thinking is could I have clocked the torsion bar into the lower control arm at an incorrect position when reassembled them and would that have any affect?
Any ideas???
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Re: Interference between torsion bar & tie rod end link
[Re: cruzin]
#830485
10/15/10 03:55 PM
10/15/10 03:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533 Indiana
Fury Fan
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
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Quote:
... I have not placed the wheels on the car and dropped it on the ground however, I don’t recall experiencing this interference problem when I have previously performed K-member removal and front end reassemblies. I did place a jack underneath the lower control arm and loaded the front driver side which did not appear to alleviate this interference. The car is not aligned or ride height set. ... The only other thing I’m thinking is could I have clocked the torsion bar into the lower control arm at an incorrect position when reassembled them and would that have any affect?
I'd recommend putting wheels on and putting the car on teh ground and set it at a reasonable approximate ride height via a floor jack and see how things look. (probably won't change the results, though, unless you didn't get the LCA in the right attitude earlier when you were evaluating it with the jack).
The T-bar rides in the pivot for the LCA, so if you had the bar clocked/reversed, etc, that would show up in suspension behavior, not in the geometry regarding the tierods. the T-bar woudl either not hold the vehicle up or if it was clocked incorrectly you would not be able to set ride height within the range of the adjuster bolt.
So unless your frame, K-member, structure, etc is tweaked, I would look at steering component geometry again.
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Re: Interference between torsion bar & tie rod end link
[Re: cruzin]
#830488
10/15/10 05:43 PM
10/15/10 05:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,274 A gulag near you.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,274
A gulag near you.
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Quote:
I believe so. As I recall the steering box mounting holes are fixed and do not provide for movement/adjustment. I think there are three stout bolts which affix the steering box to the K-member.
The shank of the gear box, where the pitman arm attaches appears to be in the proper location when I compared this to another '73 Challenger.
When I say centered did you spin it thru it full range of motion and get it in the middle of turns lock to lock ?
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Re: Interference between torsion bar & tie rod end link
[Re: chache876]
#830493
10/15/10 08:41 PM
10/15/10 08:41 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 655 MN
astrobuf
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 655
MN
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I think you have the tie rod end in backwards. The inner and outer tie rod ends are different. The stud length is longer on the outer end if memory serves. I just did this on my '71 Challenger and put them in backwards myself. Pull the rod end-sleeve assy out and swap end for end.
I suspect if you look closely, the present inner tie rod end castelated nut is way down on the stud and the cotter key is not closely engaged either.
Astrobuf
So, are you really a Rocket Scientist?
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Re: Interference between torsion bar & tie rod end link
[Re: astrobuf]
#830499
10/15/10 09:55 PM
10/15/10 09:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,142 Tucson, AZ
cruzin
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,142
Tucson, AZ
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The tie rod ends are different. The difference is right hand and left hand threads used to adjust tie rod. The the size of the tie rod end links do not appear any different in size.
I've considered the idler arm and thought about how that may alter the pitman arm's geomerty if it is the wrong one. Will have to investigate further. I was able to compare the centerlink and initially thought it may have been reversed however, that wasn't the case.
Last edited by cruzin; 10/15/10 10:02 PM.
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