Hey guys,

Im still SLOWLY getting the 1971 Demon back together and hit another roadblock. In case you guys don't remember the car has been media blasted and painted on the bottom/engine compartment. I have been assembling the front suspension onto the K member and decided to install the A-arms also. That is where I ran into a problem. The Master Power front disc brake kit that was purchased included tubular A arms (the kit actually was supposed to come with factory style a arms, but they were changing over). These A arms were purchased after the car was painted so no test fitting was ever performed. The problem I am running into now is they do not fit. I can't fit the bushing ends into the "slots". As mentioned the car has been painted so i do not want to start hitting things or prying just yet. I contacted MP's tech line and they stated that you could pry, cut, fold, bend, etc. to get them to fit. I understand that the tabs that form the "slot" are probably compressed from the bolts tightening the metal down and need to be widened again.

-Anybody ever run into this?

-If so what did you do?

-Any advice on how to open up the area?

Thanks in advance,
Brian

So you don't have to beat on anything... hillbilly spreader.

Get a piece of 3/8 all thread or cut off a bolt a couple inches long.

Use 2 nuts and a couple of large washers, nuts next to each other washers to outside. Slide assembly into the opening. Turn nuts to spread the arms out.

I had to do the same thing on my car when installing heim jointed a-arms.

the slots are too narrow for the bushings to fit into them or the arms are too narrow which is making the bushings not line up with the slots. If #1 then what Rob said. If #2 the A frame ears will have to be compressed inward or outward as needed (or exchange it with it being a custom A frame) whereas if it was OE you'd bend it in a vise

Ok, The problem was corrected with a "hillbilly spreader" using threaded rod, washers, and nuts. Both A-arms now fit in the slots. However, there is metal that is prohibiting full movement of the a arm as seen in the pic. Anybody run into this before? I can cut the metal to clearance but that will [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean] up the nice paint. Or I can sell these tubulars and find a stock set. Opinions?

Would it be possible to dremel it out then (re) touch it up with some paint & have it be presentable. If there's enough material that needs to be removed you might need a porting burr

The area just to the right of where the finger points in the pix should be gusseted down to the frame anyway....this is where the brackets always fail. There was even a Chrysler SB on exactly this. Nasty when they fail (don't ask how I know!)

Rick