front end bump steer, etc

Guys, I need some help. I have a 71 duster that has horrible front end travel and bump steer. I have always had trouble with the front end 'sailing' on me after the launch and it comes back down and also when I am going down the track. I didnt realize how bad it was until I saw a video and that is when I parked it and started to take it apart. I bought the car already with a disc brake swap. After I started dissamble, and reading some articles I saw lots of problems. First the upper and lower control arms are from the original drums and the armpivot is bent badly and the bushing is shot. The pitman arm, idler arm, and upper and lower ball joints are stock. The spindles measure what I believe are from a Volare. Lastly, the strut rods have been welded on and lengthened. Where and what should I be changing. I have read that you need upper and lower control arms, pitman arm, ider arm, upper and lower ball joints, and spindles from a donor 73 to 76 Duster. Is this correct? I dont have the cash to go tubular but the way it is now is far from being safe.

Car runs 10.0 with small block.

Thanks
Chuck

I think there is some thing in the tech archives on what you need to do a stock mopar change over. Yes it sounds like a cobb job and your right to park it until you get the correct safe parts on it. When you get it all back together, find a old school front end alignment guy that know how to set up a drag race car. Most shops now say we don't have a computer program for that old of a car , [ but ] we can get it close. Run from those guy's.

The only thing we changed on my 70 Dart were the upper control arms, we used stock arms off of a 76 along with the entire disc brake assy. but you may want to use aftermarket and get more castor on a car that fast. We also replaced all of the steering related parts with new stock parts and had it aligned at the before mentioned old school shop. He has large picture displays all over his office/waiting room of the classics and race cars he has aligned. Goes doun the track like it's on a rail.

Thanks for the info. Both sides are off and I am starting from scratch. I am being told that the lowers are the same from 70 to 76, is that correct? Anyone know where I might find an old tech article about the swap ?

Thanks
Chuck

Bump steer is toe change in bump and jounce (down and up).

Don't assume what you are feeling while going down the track is specifically bump steer.

Build a bump steer gauge like Ehernburg did in Mopar Action. Take the shocks and T-bars out and get an actual measurement. Then you have some data to work with.

got to be smarter then the computer, I found manny articles.

Thanks
Chuck

I have never seen a front end do what this one does. Maybe bump steer is not the correct wording. With the front end up (going down the track) the top of the tires points out, bottom of tire points in, and front of tire points in, kind of like pigeon toed. I have little to no control of the car until I let off.

Quote:

---

I have never seen a front end do what this one does. Maybe bump steer is not the correct wording. With the front end up (going down the track) the top of the tires points out, bottom of tire points in, and front of tire points in, kind of like pigeon toed. I have little to no control of the car until I let off.

---

That's bumpsteer if what you are seeing is actual toe in. Too make change for improvement you've got to be able to measure it.

The parts you describe on your car shouldn't be out of the ordinary except for the lengthened strut rod. That will effect caster.

BTW lower A-body control arm swap from 66-76. The welded on position of the sway bar tag changed in 1973. If you're not running a sway bar, then no concern with that.