Suspension Drop

deoxford · 09-26-2004, 01:56 PM

Ok I know this dumb, question but can you change the steering box with out dropping the suspension?
I was think that I have to drop it. But I could be wrong , this is on my 72. When I do this can I make the front sit lower it seems so high.
Thanks
Also if any one whats to come out to beautiful Fairhope for the day, and give me a hand I'll make Jambalaya
Derek

jpnovak · 09-26-2004, 02:22 PM

You do not have to drop the entire front suspension. Just undo the U joint in the smugglers box, disconnect the tie rods and remove the two fixing bolts underneath. Its tight but it will drop out. It will be easier to loosen the cross member and/or remove the MC.

To lower the front just loosen the adjuster bolts on teh rear of the a-arms. If there is not enough adjustment you have to pull the caps and rotate.

I have family in Fairhope. I will stop by next time I am intown.

Grady Clay · 09-26-2004, 02:59 PM

Derek,

I would recommend you go to the additional effort to remove all the pieces.

This allows you to clean, inspect, lube, refinish the main components, and replace the hardware. The splines on the torsion bars, levers, and A-arms need a periodic clean & lube. The outer surfaces of the torsion bars need to be re-greased as corrosion protection. This gives you an opportunity to inspect the ball joints and tie-rod ends and add lube. You can hand operate the shocks. This is a good time to change wheel bearing grease and replace the seals. You can inspect the brake pads and cycle the pistons in the calipers.

The only things I would encourage you to summarily replace, if not already like new, are the two rubber brake hoses and possibly the master cylinder with OEM parts.

Since you have a “parts car”, you can service all these parts first and then just swap them on in a day. Remember you will need alignment so all those adjustments should be free to adjust properly.

2c

Best,
Grady

deoxford · 08:02 PM

Grady,
I decided to go your way and drop the complete front, I check everything over real good, and sanded the metal down , rust treated it, and paint all of it. I also changed out all the brake stuff and but on new lines. I did check the tubes, But I am not sure if I put them in correctly.
They seem to be sitting lower on the left side them the right but I have not put it back under the car yet.

Is there a way to put them in correctly or will they work fine and just adjust them on the car?

Thank for the help
Derek

jyl · jyl's Garage

Maybe you are just one spline "off" with the t-bar?

deoxford · 10-18-2004, 08:12 PM

John,
Is there a mark that you line up in or on the spline, how do you know you are off?

deoxford · 10-19-2004, 08:16 PM

Ok, i but the front end back together tonight , but when I put it back down the left side was low and the right was normal.
So it looks like =Maybe you are just one spline "off" with the t-bar?

how do you fix it? I wanted to lower the front a little but not this much

Thanks for any help

Derek

deoxford · 10-19-2004, 08:20 PM

help!!!!

deoxford · 10-19-2004, 08:43 PM

help

deoxford · 10-20-2004, 05:15 AM

please

jpnovak · 10-20-2004, 06:18 AM

Derrik,

The splines on the front TBs have the same number inside and out. It is very simple to adjust them. First remove the adjuster bolt from the rear end cap. Then pry the end cap off the TB. the a-arms are now supported by the fully extended strut.

I prefer to do the next step with the wheels on the car. Lower the car until the wheels touch the ground. This should be done from the center of the tow hook using a wood block to distribute the weight. When the car is level re-install the end caps so they have the same angle. Then install the adjuster bolts and tighten until they start to tension up on teh torsion bar. You will not be able to fully tension these against the weight of the car.

Then lower the car off the jack and check the ride height. If it is too high turn out the adjusters. If its too low, jack up the car and tighten the adjusters. YOu may have to repeat this process a few times to get the height you want. I suggest doing this procedure with about a half tank of gas to ensure the ride height is where you want it.

Zeke · 10-20-2004, 09:08 AM

Just pull the t-bar out and re index it. Like he said, final adjustments are made with the adjusters. Moving one spline in rotation will fall somewhere in the total adjustment of the threads. They should end up somewhere in the middle of their threads. If you have to adjust to near the end of the threads either way, move the bar to put the adjuster nearer the middle of it's adjustment range.

Also, you have to roll the car back and forth at least one car length to settle the positive camber from raising the car off the ground. I would even bounce the car a little before deciding on how much to adjust.