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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: Noblewk]
#441892
08/25/09 02:32 PM
08/25/09 02:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,609
Southern Cal
Noblewk
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Southern Cal
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I think all the pulling and tapping is finished, just welding is left to fix the splits...
66 Dart GT, 402 11.18:109 Best
63 1/2 Galaxie 500XL 406 4Speed 13.20:103 Best
2000 Ram
2005 Durango Hemi.
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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: Noblewk]
#441893
08/25/09 11:23 PM
08/25/09 11:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,609
Southern Cal
Noblewk
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Here is the side by side before and after shots. I'm satisfied with the results thus far. Weld a bead around the washer and on the inside and it will be finished.
66 Dart GT, 402 11.18:109 Best
63 1/2 Galaxie 500XL 406 4Speed 13.20:103 Best
2000 Ram
2005 Durango Hemi.
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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: 68HemiB]
#441895
08/26/09 02:42 AM
08/26/09 02:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,485
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,485
So Cal
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Quote:
Quote:
So suspension experts - would the weld in plates for lower control arms help prevent the lower control arm damage or transferred the damage to another component? Just wondering...
I am going to respectfully disagree with another opinion posted earlier on this point. I think the damage to the LCA would have been avoided had the strut rod not pulled through the K member. Keeping the two point lower control arm located is the job of the strut rod [alternate name: brake control rod]. Likewise, the bend in the strut rod would have been avoided had the piece remained in place relative to the K member. I also think the UCA damage is a byproduct of the rapid shifting rearward of the LBJ.
This car is all bent up (except for the rim damage) because the strut rod pulled through / collapsed the K member.
The o.p. doesn't seem especially moved by my opinions, but that's my educated guess on this question.
It's a tough call with collisions. Hitting things in just the right spot can get vastly different results.
I think something has to give. If the strut doesn't pull back, does the rim get bent more? Or does the LCA bend more between the strut hole and the LBJ hole?
I do notice that the 67-76 A-body K-member have a seperate welded on plate at the strut rod K-member hole that the 66 down K-members don't seem to have.
Personally I'd rather have LCA's, UCA's, ball joints and strut rods give/bend/break instead of K-frames, rims, or front frame rails because of the cost and effort.
I reinforced by LCA but only two 1.5" x .75" straps, nothing too agressive. The third strap was to clamp the back of the LCA tighter.
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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: 68HemiB]
#441897
08/26/09 01:51 PM
08/26/09 01:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,609
Southern Cal
Noblewk
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I agree that there should have been some flex somewhere. I'm thinking that the Poly Bushings on the strut rod has to do with the K-Frame splitting. Perhaps if Rubber Bushings were in place, the rubber would have flexed more. As stated earlier is that newer K-Frames are reinforced with 1/4" plates in this location where the Early "A" use a washer that is only tack welded in 4 spots. What is interesting is where the K-Frame Split the washer was tacked above that location. There is a chance that if the washer was fully welded around this area it would not have spit or crumpled in......
66 Dart GT, 402 11.18:109 Best
63 1/2 Galaxie 500XL 406 4Speed 13.20:103 Best
2000 Ram
2005 Durango Hemi.
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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: 68HemiB]
#441898
08/26/09 01:56 PM
08/26/09 01:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,686
Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,686
Fresno, CA
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Quote:
Quote:
I think something has to give. If the strut doesn't pull back, does the rim get bent more? Or does the LCA bend more between the strut hole and the LBJ hole?
The energy has to go somewhere else.
More damage to the rim and/or more damage to the forward edge of the pothole and/or more compression of the strut rod bushing and/or more flexing (without bending) of other suspension components.
Of course, no one can know for sure - it's just guesses based on a person's knowledge and life experiences. Plenty of members here have gone through killer potholes, bent their rims, and yet have seen nothing like the dramatic damage posted by the o.p. What's unique in this case is how the strut rod mounting in the K member gave way. All the rest follows, IMHO.
Ok, let's take this a step farther. In the posted pictures there appears to a fair amount of surface rust on the k-member. I can't tell how bad, though. I suspect there may also be a chance that the k-member was already compromised (the crack had started from a previous accident or ??).
In other words, it is probably a good idea to media blast all the suspension parts, including the k-member and look for damage.
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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: Noblewk]
#441900
08/26/09 03:04 PM
08/26/09 03:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,609
Southern Cal
Noblewk
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Southern Cal
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Not the prettiest weld  but it will do its job, i'm out of argon so I just fluxed it. You now can see clearly were the 4 Tack welds were on the washer that were from the factory. The K-frame split right under those welds.
66 Dart GT, 402 11.18:109 Best
63 1/2 Galaxie 500XL 406 4Speed 13.20:103 Best
2000 Ram
2005 Durango Hemi.
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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: 68HemiB]
#441903
08/26/09 08:52 PM
08/26/09 08:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,609
Southern Cal
Noblewk
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Southern Cal
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Well that worked out. I have a set of 73-76 Uppers on the way and was going to wait until they got here. But my Chassis guy called to see what the progress was and I told him I was just waiting for the Uppers. He suggested that I measure the width of the drivers side, and then use a piece of "All Thread" and streach be Upper back into shape. Did that and drove it to his shop and put it on the alignment rack. It aligned with no issues......... Now it time to find a new wheel  I cannot believe the price of the Center Line Telstars. I picked these up for 119 Each 3 Years ago now they are askin $$239 Each....  Thats Double... Anyone using the Summit "Fast Five" wheels? Below is the Before and After shot of the Front wheel.
66 Dart GT, 402 11.18:109 Best
63 1/2 Galaxie 500XL 406 4Speed 13.20:103 Best
2000 Ram
2005 Durango Hemi.
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Re: A-Body LCA's
[Re: 68HemiB]
#441904
08/26/09 09:49 PM
08/26/09 09:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 671
Wisconsin USA
Bill MeLater
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 671
Wisconsin USA
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Quote:
Quote:
I think something has to give. If the strut doesn't pull back, does the rim get bent more? Or does the LCA bend more between the strut hole and the LBJ hole?
The energy has to go somewhere else.
More damage to the rim and/or more damage to the forward edge of the pothole and/or more compression of the strut rod bushing and/or more flexing (without bending) of other suspension components.
Of course, no one can know for sure - it's just guesses based on a person's knowledge and life experiences. Plenty of members here have gone through killer potholes, bent their rims, and yet have seen nothing like the dramatic damage posted by the o.p. What's unique in this case is how the strut rod mounting in the K member gave way. All the rest follows, IMHO.
I would be willing to guess that any tire with more than the 2 inch sidewall I'm seeing would have gone a LONG way towards absorbing energy. Be willing to be it rides like a forktruck too....
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For a 44 Year old So-Cal car it is in really desent shape underneath.. 
