Joined: Thu Jul 06 2006, 12:51AM
Location: california
Posts: 143
Just noticed that when i was taking off the bushings from the sway bar onto the strut bars, there was what looked like considerable wearing of the strut bar metal where the bushing clamped to it. Was there a factory indentation at that point to make sure the bushing stayed in place, or is it worn from all the years of driving and rust and rubbing??
Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
If you are talking about the end with the bushings going through the frame. . . . It is supposed to be straight. You must have been listening to some noise up there for a while.
New bushings are readily available at auto parts stores.
Those strut rods prevent the lower control arms from moving back and forth. Now you better look at the lower bushing on the lower controls arms. If there is a bunch of rubber hanging out of them, time for new there too. But on the other hand, you'll be glad you did. Greatly improves the suspension and handling
Joined: Mon Oct 31 2005, 12:48PM
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1755
Heck, while you are doping all of this work, buy a front end kit from PST or Just Suspension and do the whole thing. The kits come with new strut bushings, sway bar bushings, and all ball joints and most tie-rods. (PST sells only the outer rods for their basic price.)
Joined: Thu Jul 06 2006, 12:51AM
Location: california
Posts: 143
Snotty wrote ... Heck, while you are doping all of this work, buy a front end kit from PST or Just Suspension and do the whole thing. The kits come with new strut bushings, sway bar bushings, and all ball joints and most tie-rods. (PST sells only the outer rods for their basic price.)
Joined: Thu Jul 06 2006, 12:51AM
Location: california
Posts: 143
71F3 wrote ... If you are talking about the end with the bushings going through the frame. . . . It is supposed to be straight. You must have been listening to some noise up there for a while.
New bushings are readily available at auto parts stores.
Those strut rods prevent the lower control arms from moving back and forth. Now you better look at the lower bushing on the lower controls arms. If there is a bunch of rubber hanging out of them, time for new there too. But on the other hand, you'll be glad you did. Greatly improves the suspension and handling
The strut rods arent bent, where the strut rod enters the control arm the sway bar mounts to the strut rod. At this point, the strut rod shows wear, where the bushing from the sway bar is clamped. I am wondering if the strut bar was made with the indentation to center the bushing from the sway bar, or this was caused by years of wear on the metal??
Joined: Thu Jul 06 2006, 12:51AM
Location: california
Posts: 143
Snotty wrote ... Your strut-rod should have no indentation. There should be a shiny place where the rubber rubbed, but it should be round.
I rebuilt my 70's whole front end two years ago.
Looks like i have to remove the torsion bars to get the strut bars off. Also, i think i might need to replace my strut rods then, there is alot of wear on that area...did you replace your strut rods...if so where'd you get em?? Thanks <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Thu Aug 17 2006, 07:40PM ]</span>
Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
Snotty is correct on both counts. The kits are pretty reasonable when you consider the long term rewards and safety.
There is no indentation on the strut. If memory serves me correct, the 69 front end is the same on up. The strut bolts through the control arm. (Older models the rod bolted on top. Much easier) It is supposed to be a straight and true rod. MMMM Other things to look for. 1. Bent frame 2. Damaged lower control arm.
Just for curiosity, how did the car handle? Any noises in the front end? Over Steer? Abnormal tire ware?
Now you definitely have work ahead of you. I would most definitely go for the lower bushings while you have the strut rod out. Sounds like the car was in a crash somewhere in it's life and nobody did anything about the suspension damage. For your safety sake, dig into it while you have it apart. If in doubt put up some pictures.
Joined: Thu Jul 06 2006, 12:51AM
Location: california
Posts: 143
Polaraco wrote ... Snotty is correct on both counts. The kits are pretty reasonable when you consider the long term rewards and safety.
There is no indentation on the strut. If memory serves me correct, the 69 front end is the same on up. The strut bolts through the control arm. (Older models the rod bolted on top. Much easier) It is supposed to be a straight and true rod. MMMM Other things to look for. 1. Bent frame 2. Damaged lower control arm.
Just for curiosity, how did the car handle? Any noises in the front end? Over Steer? Abnormal tire ware?
Now you definitely have work ahead of you. I would most definitely go for the lower bushings while you have the strut rod out. Sounds like the car was in a crash somewhere in it's life and nobody did anything about the suspension damage. For your safety sake, dig into it while you have it apart. If in doubt put up some pictures.
We'll keep a light on for ya'
Actuallly i think the reason for the wear on the strut rod is that the torsion bar adjusting screw was cranked out all the way to lower the front end...which would cause the wear IMO...sounds reasonable right?? Otherwise the strut rod is true. No damage to frame or control arms etc...car drove verrry strait and actually really easy. (Now why am i doing this upgrades again??)
Well went out and took out my torsion bar...wasn't hard at all, took me like 10 minutes..lol Just unbolted the front nut and took out the rear clip, and gave the front of the bar a hit with the mallet and it wiggled right out.
Yeah this is a huuuuuge job! I wonder what it would cost to have a shop do all this work??? I've spent considerable time just cleaning up down there, removing dirt, grime and inspection. Went through 2 pairs of work clothes i got so greasy..hahah
I'm planning on doing this correctly, doing all the bushings and ball joints, probably upgrading to a 1" sway bar, and possibly replacing the torsion bars while they're out.
THen i get to do the exhuast...and brakes...
So far everything is disassembled and i just have to order parts now.
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Thu Aug 17 2006, 08:59PM ]</span>