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Advice needed #2792335
07/03/20 01:17 PM
07/03/20 01:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Kilroy was here Offline OP
pro stock
Kilroy was here  Offline OP
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
70 Charger, small block.
As you can see, BOTH tires are wearing on the inside. It does track straight.
. So, I am thinking of a full front end kit. PST, or buy from Rock, and eBay.
Stock is fine with me.
From watching YouTube, I see the Lower Control Arms are a bit of a challenge. But that's ok.

Any input is appreciated.


[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
(some parts have been replaces over the years)

Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2792346
07/03/20 02:08 PM
07/03/20 02:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
I can't determine the condition of your front end here, but it appears first and foremost, you have an alignment issue, a serious one. I would resolve that first, and then decide what you want to replace/upgrade. or leave alone if stock is OK for your intended use. At worst case if you do the above, you will have to pay for two alignments, and at least the mechanic will get some practice on the first one. biggrin


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2792347
07/03/20 02:08 PM
07/03/20 02:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
wow ! how can that thing handle ?
it looks like it has a ton of toe out and/or a bunch of negative camber.
have you had an alignment any time ?
does it clunk or bang going over bumps ?
are both tires as bad as the one shown ?
you definitely need the suspension looked at very closely, and as soon as possible.
beer

Re: Advice needed [Re: moparx] #2792349
07/03/20 02:11 PM
07/03/20 02:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
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So Cal
I wouldn’t pay to have it aligned if it’s got bad suspension parts that need replacing.

Find out what parts are bad, replace them, get alignment.

Have you ever replaced any front suspension parts on this? If so, how many miles since?

Re: Advice needed [Re: autoxcuda] #2792353
07/03/20 02:24 PM
07/03/20 02:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,666
North Dakota
6PakBee Online content
I Live Here
6PakBee  Online Content
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,666
North Dakota
I'd do a quick check on the toe in before I jumped to doing anything.


"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
Re: Advice needed [Re: autoxcuda] #2792483
07/03/20 11:28 PM
07/03/20 11:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Kilroy was here Offline OP
pro stock
Kilroy was here  Offline OP
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
I have had it 4 years. Looking at the huge stack of receipts, parts where replaced as needed. But I look at it like this..Do it once, and do it all. My son will help me.

Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2793634
07/06/20 08:11 PM
07/06/20 08:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,945
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
I Win
AndyF  Offline
I Win
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,945
Oregon
Wow, that is really bad. Maybe the worst I've ever seen. I don't know how big your tool box is but some of the front suspension parts will kick your rear unless you have the correct tools. If you have all the correct tools then you can do a front end rebuild in half a day but hardly anybody has all the correct tools. You are correct, replacing the lower control arm bushing can be a real pain. I wouldn't replace any parts though until I figured out what was wrong. It could just be a really horrible alignment job. If you have a local alignment shop that you trust you might take it over to them and ask them for an opinion. A good shop will know right away what the problem is. They see this stuff all day long.

Re: Advice needed [Re: AndyF] #2793799
07/07/20 08:55 AM
07/07/20 08:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Kilroy was here Offline OP
pro stock
Kilroy was here  Offline OP
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Thank you....

Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2793851
07/07/20 10:55 AM
07/07/20 10:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,366
Michigan
MarkZ Offline
Worthy
MarkZ  Offline
Worthy

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,366
Michigan
Providing it needs ball joints and control arm bushings you can just take the arms in to the shop after removal. That is what I did with mine when I rebuilt the front end. Did the rest in the garage with basic hand tools.


1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: Advice needed [Re: MarkZ] #2794224
07/08/20 09:59 AM
07/08/20 09:59 AM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 350
Mequon, WI
G
gzig5 Offline
enthusiast
gzig5  Offline
enthusiast
G

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 350
Mequon, WI
I had the option to buy refurbed upper control arms for my E-body, with new bushings and ball joints for less than $100/set plus shipping. Hardly worth the trouble to clean and rebuild at that price. Would have done it but I wanted to use the MOOG offset bushings to gain castor. Don't remember the vendors but there are more than one out there. The lower arm bushing is a challenge, but there are a couple different methods depending on what you have for tools.

Re: Advice needed [Re: gzig5] #2794232
07/08/20 10:04 AM
07/08/20 10:04 AM
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
S
Sniper Offline
master
Sniper  Offline
master
S

Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
Doctor Diff has them at that price

https://www.doctordiff.com/upper-control-arms.html

Re: Advice needed [Re: AndyF] #2794289
07/08/20 11:54 AM
07/08/20 11:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,385
Pikes Peak Country
T
TC@HP2 Offline
master
TC@HP2  Offline
master
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,385
Pikes Peak Country
Originally Posted by AndyF
Wow, that is really bad. Maybe the worst I've ever seen. I don't know how big your tool box is but some of the front suspension parts will kick your rear unless you have the correct tools. If you have all the correct tools then you can do a front end rebuild in half a day but hardly anybody has all the correct tools. You are correct, replacing the lower control arm bushing can be a real pain. I wouldn't replace any parts though until I figured out what was wrong. It could just be a really horrible alignment job. If you have a local alignment shop that you trust you might take it over to them and ask them for an opinion. A good shop will know right away what the problem is. They see this stuff all day long.


If you aren't hearing clunking or feeling erratic performance, Id agree with the highlighted above. If you have a pile of receipts and suspension parts are in that pile, you may have good parts. Verify it before you simply start replacing everything.

Re: Advice needed [Re: TC@HP2] #2803054
07/30/20 07:58 PM
07/30/20 07:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Kilroy was here Offline OP
pro stock
Kilroy was here  Offline OP
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
[quote]A good shop will know right away what the problem is.[/quote]

I did, this guy was really good and recommended.

Lower steering parts, Lower ball points, newer, and look good.

Needed...
Upper Ball points (Dr. Diff has good ones, pre loaded +cam bolt kit )

LCA needs total rebuild (Kit from PST)

Torsion bar bushings. (PST)..or

Torsion bars are original, new ones are reasonable priced. Mine are original 50 years old.(1.03" Torsion Bar Master Kit PST)

AND...he pointed out the rear original leaf springs have a negative arch. As in they're wore out.
--------------------------------------------------
QUESTIONS....
Rear leaf springs. Re-Arch (IF I can find a shop ), or purchase new. But I read the MP springs tend to flatten after a year. (The old school guy said "You can put a 2" spacer") Recommendations?


My car is a driver, and eventually (If I don't sell it) I'm going to put a 318 and A/C back in it.
(At 62, car is "To hot for old man to handle")

Getting moving on this, any suggestions?

Did I miss anything....?




Last edited by Kilroy was here; 07/30/20 08:00 PM.
Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2803700
08/01/20 01:00 PM
08/01/20 01:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,385
Pikes Peak Country
T
TC@HP2 Offline
master
TC@HP2  Offline
master
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,385
Pikes Peak Country
Just my opinion, but if a shop guy recommends "You can put a 2" spacer" in the leafs (which I read as extended length shackles because a spacer in the axle mount actually lowers the car) the rest of his diagnosis is suspect. In stock form, mopar leafs when installed and at rest, will look like they are flat to the vast majority of people, even old school tech guys who are not intimate with mopars subtle differences.

LCA rebuild consists of only torsion bar bushings. Nothing else to do to them.

Sounds like you are considering replacing the entire upper control arm instead of just ball joints. Not necessary, but if that's the way you want to go, cool.

Frankly, I'd get a second opinion from another shop, but the increasing difficulty in finding shops that know old stuff may make that an exercise in futility. I'd recommend you talk to guys at any nearby race tracks about who they use for alignments , suspension work, or even fabrication. I might trust a modern race shop more than an old shop guy, unless he had extensive mopar background.

Re: Advice needed [Re: TC@HP2] #2804837
08/04/20 01:24 AM
08/04/20 01:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Kilroy was here Offline OP
pro stock
Kilroy was here  Offline OP
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Thank you again...

and I learned something today. Surfing on the 'Bay'. I found new USA made LCA. but for A-bodies, Darts, Dusters.



[Linked Image]

Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2804861
08/04/20 08:03 AM
08/04/20 08:03 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
I did too, somebody wasted a lot of money on manufacturing a part(s, L&R) that seldom becomes unusable, and is widely available used, nationwide, IMO


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2804916
08/04/20 10:03 AM
08/04/20 10:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
autoxcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
Originally Posted by Kilroy was here
Thank you again...

and I learned something today. Surfing on the 'Bay'. I found new USA made LCA. but for A-bodies, Darts, Dusters.



[Linked Image]



Gotta link to it?

I can’t find it.

Re: Advice needed [Re: autoxcuda] #2805133
08/04/20 05:41 PM
08/04/20 05:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
Kilroy was here Offline OP
pro stock
Kilroy was here  Offline OP
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,496
Bradenton, Fl 34203
A Body LCA

item # 202696983854

Re: Advice needed [Re: Kilroy was here] #2805140
08/04/20 06:16 PM
08/04/20 06:16 PM
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
S
Sniper Offline
master
Sniper  Offline
master
S

Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
Originally Posted by Kilroy was here
A Body LCA

item # 202696983854


That is just a right side one, couldn't find a left side.

Re: Advice needed [Re: Sniper] #2805235
08/04/20 10:06 PM
08/04/20 10:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
autoxcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
Originally Posted by Sniper
Originally Posted by Kilroy was here
A Body LCA

item # 202696983854


That is just a right side one, couldn't find a left side.


If it’s $200/pr that would be a big deal.

It’s got sway bar tabs and bushing is pressed on.

I think Jim V sells that for about $300 blasted painted used original.

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