Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: mopower440]
#2636303
03/24/19 10:30 AM
03/24/19 10:30 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,037 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Special needs idiot
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Special needs idiot
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,037
Benton, IL.
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Really not that big a deal. Just typical suspension wear items that need replaced. If you only need the upper items replaced (which I doubt) all you need to do is release the preload on the torsion bars and you are good to go on the upper items. You don't even need a press. Except for the alignment, any competent mechanic should be able to change the upper ball joints and bushings. It's not that hard.
Now the lower control arm bushings are quite a bit more involved. And unless they have been changed, will be in similar condition.
If we weren't so far apart, I would help you with it.
Master, again and still
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: mopower440]
#2636329
03/24/19 11:03 AM
03/24/19 11:03 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,671
Andrewh
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,671
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Is that socket still available for the upper ball joint? yeah, from several sources now. when I bought mine, it was a specialty item and I had to find a snapon truck to get it. today you can pick one up pretty much at any of the major sellers. heck some parts stores even "rent" it out. you didn't say what year dart, as that makes a difference. The a-bods through model year 1972 use the smaller socket. 73-76 use the larger. which is the same as the b body and c-body size. Middle size as there is a larger for trucks and some d-bodies. This guy used a weird 10 dollar socket https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/10-upper-ball-joint-socket-really.280871/but I have seen them as cheap as 12 bucks for the correct one.
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: Andrewh]
#2636344
03/24/19 11:24 AM
03/24/19 11:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528 SW CO
HemiSportFury
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528
SW CO
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In addition to the upper ball joint socket mentioned above the only other special tool that is very helpful is a torsion bar removal tool. There are several different styles available, just check any of the Mopar suppliers. You may be able to improvise something yourself but be sure to not nick or gouge the torsion bar or you will create a stress riser and a place for it to break. Otherwise I've always been able to improvise tools for removing or installing bushing etc.
Go for it yourself so you know it will be done right!
'64 Sport Fury, 528 Hemi, FiTech EFI, 4-speed, 4.10 Dana 60 '57 Belvedere 2dr sedan, current project in process '19 Cherokee Trail Hawk Elite '03 Ram 2500 CTD HO, 6-speed 214,000 miles and still going strong
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: mopower440]
#2636348
03/24/19 11:27 AM
03/24/19 11:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 605 TN
1DGEMAN
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 605
TN
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Where in Middle TN are you?
Real Men shift for themselves
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: Andrewh]
#2636349
03/24/19 11:28 AM
03/24/19 11:28 AM
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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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Whomever told you this then there's the torsion bars..hearing horror stories about them hurting people really bad because they didn't know what they were doing. must have some seriously brown eyes. Unless you drop the thing on your foot or something like that.
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: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: Supercuda]
#2636354
03/24/19 11:36 AM
03/24/19 11:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada
RUNCHARGER
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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If you're careful you can use a pipewrench with a cheater bar to remove the upper balljoints (do them with the A-arms still mounted in the car). The upper bushings are pretty easy to change as well. No need to undo the torsion bars to service the upper A-arms However you best check the condition of the lower balljoints, bushings and tie rod ends, pitman and idler arm as well.
Sheldon
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: Dave Hall]
#2636434
03/24/19 01:30 PM
03/24/19 01:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982 Scranton, PA
Montclaire
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
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You can buy the entire rebuilt a-arm as well. No need for special tools. X2 on this
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: Montclaire]
#2636468
03/24/19 02:49 PM
03/24/19 02:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,863 middle Tennessee
mopower440
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,863
middle Tennessee
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You can buy the entire rebuilt a-arm as well. No need for special tools. X2 on this Can you buy the rebuilt lower control arms with new bushings already installed being the lower is the one thats said to be the pain to replace the bushings?
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: mopower440]
#2636480
03/24/19 03:13 PM
03/24/19 03:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,671
Andrewh
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,671
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we have a regular press at work (GM shop) that i could get someone to do the A-arm bushings. I think what im worried about is the torsion bars..I have no clue about them..I did NOT know you needed a special tool to remove them though..? torson bars are no big deal. you don't need special tools. I have pulled 4 or 5 sets doing rebuilds or replacing them over the years and have never needed any special tools. Generally I raise the front end, then loosen the adjuster on the torsion bars till they have slack, and then have a jack stand just a little lower than the lower control arm. then pop the upper ball joint. When it gives, it drops right one to the jack stand, controling its spring. Then I use a jack to pick it up and then lower it with the knuckle till it is unloaded and just hanging there. you can then use another jack or jack stand to support the knuckle as you unbolt the lower ball joint. Then you can use like a tie rod puller to break the lower balljoint off the lower control arm. Or you can do it the lower balljoint first and unbolt it from the knuckle later, instead of popping the upper first. Once the lower control arm is down all the way no tension is left on the torsion bar. I then note the indexing and if it is resting on part of the frame. That is the flats on the torsion bar orientation to the lower control arm. there is a retaining clip in the rear of the torsion bar, and all the years of crud have to be cleaned out. Unbolt the lower control arm pin and hammer it back to push out the torsion bar. hammer the control arm forward with the torsion bar cocked a bit to lock it in place to get the lower control arm off. probably a few items like the shocks and strut rods I missed. but those all unbolt first too. Might as well replace all those bushings while you are under there. I usually take a week. unbolt it all, then clean them up and repaint pieces, then bolt it all back together. you can piece together parts, or order a kit from PST or some others. As said above, you can order parts from places like firm feel with stuff already installed on it. like ball joints and bushings. but most machine shops will do the press in and out for 10 bucks a bushing. Depending on if they have done it before.
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: Andrewh]
#2636484
03/24/19 03:22 PM
03/24/19 03:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363 Cotati, CA
Dave Hall
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
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we have a regular press at work (GM shop) that i could get someone to do the A-arm bushings. I think what im worried about is the torsion bars..I have no clue about them..I did NOT know you needed a special tool to remove them though..? torson bars are no big deal. you don't need special tools. I have pulled 4 or 5 sets doing rebuilds or replacing them over the years and have never needed any special tools. Generally I raise the front end, then loosen the adjuster on the torsion bars till they have slack, and then have a jack stand just a little lower than the lower control arm. then pop the upper ball joint. When it gives, it drops right one to the jack stand, controling its spring. Then I use a jack to pick it up and then lower it with the knuckle till it is unloaded and just hanging there. you can then use another jack or jack stand to support the knuckle as you unbolt the lower ball joint. Then you can use like a tie rod puller to break the lower balljoint off the lower control arm. Or you can do it the lower balljoint first and unbolt it from the knuckle later, instead of popping the upper first. Once the lower control arm is down all the way no tension is left on the torsion bar. I then note the indexing and if it is resting on part of the frame. That is the flats on the torsion bar orientation to the lower control arm. there is a retaining clip in the rear of the torsion bar, and all the years of crud have to be cleaned out. Unbolt the lower control arm pin and hammer it back to push out the torsion bar. hammer the control arm forward with the torsion bar cocked a bit to lock it in place to get the lower control arm off. probably a few items like the shocks and strut rods I missed. but those all unbolt first too. Might as well replace all those bushings while you are under there. I usually take a week. unbolt it all, then clean them up and repaint pieces, then bolt it all back together. you can piece together parts, or order a kit from PST or some others. As said above, you can order parts from places like firm feel with stuff already installed on it. like ball joints and bushings. but most machine shops will do the press in and out for 10 bucks a bushing. Depending on if they have done it before. All good stuff but those LCA bushings are pretty stupid to get out. The torsion bars are really simple and I have no problem getting them out of the way to replace a starter for instance. To the OP I think you should look at it as an opportunity to either get dirty with it, it is a filthy job, or upgrade the parts and take it to a pro to set up for you. Buy a factory service manual for the car or car line. They are the single best investment for keeping this old crud running.
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: RUNCHARGER]
#2636520
03/24/19 04:35 PM
03/24/19 04:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,405 Michigan
MarkZ
Worthy
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Worthy
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,405
Michigan
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When I did the front end on my car I pulled the control arms out and took them to a shop to have ball joints and bushing pressed in. You don't have to do that yourself if you don't want to.
1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
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Re: Cant drive my dart anymore
[Re: MarkZ]
#2636576
03/24/19 06:46 PM
03/24/19 06:46 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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I sure hope you didn't get you ball joints pressed in. they are screw in types
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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