Twisted off the height adjustment bolt
#2325197
06/22/17 01:07 PM
06/22/17 01:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 146 Missouri
randavis
OP
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 146
Missouri
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I twisted off the height adjustment bolt while trying to increase the ride height of my 74 Challenger. Any advice on fixing this would be appreciated.
I have just had the front end aligned and the tech had lowered the front end from where it was. The left front tire was rubbing on the fender on a left turn. I curled the inner fender lip and molding to gain clearance, but that was not enough. I raised the left side about a quarter of an inch and tried to raise the right side, but the adjusting bolt twisted off clean.
74 Challenger, bought it new. In 1978 I replaced the original 318 with a 446 and 727. Mild cam, Jardine headers, and Holley Sniper EFI. New engine! 511" RB, Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, Eagle rotating assy, Comp hyd roller cam, Doug's 2" headers.
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Re: Twisted off the height adjustment bolt
[Re: randavis]
#2325513
06/23/17 12:13 AM
06/23/17 12:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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Not that it matters now, but did you try to turn it with the car on the ground, or the weight off of that corner? You'll need to get the threaded key and rest of the bolt out of the control arm, which could be "fun". Replacement bolts exist. http://www.manciniracing.com/tobaradabebo.html
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Re: Twisted off the height adjustment bolt
[Re: randavis]
#2325699
06/23/17 12:19 PM
06/23/17 12:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 146 Missouri
randavis
OP
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 146
Missouri
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As a temporary quick fix, I was able to weld a nut on the old bolt as there was about an inch of it left below the "nut" (for lack of knowing the proper term)in the control arm. That allowed me to raise the front enough to keep the fender off the tire.
I have about 24 1/2 inches from the floor to the bottom of the wheel well trim. Any one care to share their fender height on an e-body?
Thanks for the link to Mancini, I looked there earlier, but I didn't find anything then.
74 Challenger, bought it new. In 1978 I replaced the original 318 with a 446 and 727. Mild cam, Jardine headers, and Holley Sniper EFI. New engine! 511" RB, Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, Eagle rotating assy, Comp hyd roller cam, Doug's 2" headers.
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Re: Twisted off the height adjustment bolt
[Re: randavis]
#2325769
06/23/17 03:17 PM
06/23/17 03:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074 Manitoba Canada
67autocross
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074
Manitoba Canada
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Never adjust these with weight on them, lift the car.
A new iron curtain drawn across the 49th parallel
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Re: Twisted off the height adjustment bolt
[Re: randavis]
#2326675
06/25/17 11:59 PM
06/25/17 11:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889 up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
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About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
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Why is it no one can do it according the the FSM?
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.
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Re: Twisted off the height adjustment bolt
[Re: randavis]
#2326957
06/26/17 01:55 PM
06/26/17 01:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,074 Oregon
AndyF
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,074
Oregon
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I twisted off the height adjustment bolt while trying to increase the ride height of my 74 Challenger. Any advice on fixing this would be appreciated.
I have just had the front end aligned and the tech had lowered the front end from where it was. The left front tire was rubbing on the fender on a left turn. I curled the inner fender lip and molding to gain clearance, but that was not enough. I raised the left side about a quarter of an inch and tried to raise the right side, but the adjusting bolt twisted off clean. Ugh, that is no fun. Now you'll get a PhD in lower control arm R&R! Might be a little bit tricky getting everything apart if you can't release the tension on the torsion bar. Be careful is all I can say, there is a lot of energy stored up in that bar. If you cut the bar under load it could snap pretty hard. If you pop the ball joint with the bar loaded it could also come apart on you pretty fast. If you get the car up in the air and let the suspension hang down you will take most of the load off. Then you should be able to remove the knuckle and brake strut and knock the LCA forward off of the bar. Once you have the LCA off you should be able to take it to a machine shop and have them drill the bolt out. If the bolt is snapped off clean with the pivot then the whole assembly might just fall out and you can replace it and reassemble. Good luck and I'm sure you won't make that mistake again!
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Re: Twisted off the height adjustment bolt
[Re: randavis]
#2327321
06/27/17 01:13 AM
06/27/17 01:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074 Manitoba Canada
67autocross
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074
Manitoba Canada
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If you know someone who is good with a cutting torch you could put the car on jack stands and torch the adjuster bolt and block out of the lower control arm.
A new iron curtain drawn across the 49th parallel
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