Am I missing something on the suspension

[wrivord]

I have finally got my 69 Super Bee back together and when I was assembling the front end I noticed that the upper control arms and the top of the spindle do not sit flush together. The upper control arms are from PST as is the rebuild kit. I put a jack under the lower control arm to see if it would raise the spindle and take out the angle. It only moved so far and then started raising the car. I'm not sure what I am missing and could definitely use some help.

Thanx Bill

 

[tpodwdog]

im really not a big fan of putting things on your car that werent meant for it.....however,,,,all your pix looks like everything is done right. put the wheels on and let it down...see what it does.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Do you have the nut on the upper ball joint tight? Also the taper of the upper ball joint is only going to allow the spindle to go so far. Can you post some up close pics so we can see it better?

 

[67 B-body]

Did you have to put the ball joints into the upper A arms? Dot the directions show the angle of the A arm as installed? Looks like if it were flipped over the ball joint pointing the opposite direction,it wouldn't have the severe angle?

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

Is it possible you have the upper control arms on the wrong side of the car?

 

[Cranky]

Looks to me like you have the right side on the left.....

 

[fla 66 cuda]

Did you have to put the ball joints into the upper A arms? Dot the directions show the angle of the A arm as installed? Looks like if it were flipped over the ball joint pointing the opposite direction,it wouldn't have the severe angle?

I agree they may possibly be upside down and on the wrong sides,not sure.

 

[wrivord]

I did not tighten the upper ball joint nut because I wasn't sure if it was correct and didn't want to mess it up, I can definetly post more pics but I won't be back to the shop until next week.

 

[wrivord]

Did you have to put the ball joints into the upper A arms? Dot the directions show the angle of the A arm as installed? Looks like if it were flipped over the ball joint pointing the opposite direction,it wouldn't have the severe angle?

Yes, the upper ball joints and bushing were put in by the guy that rebuilt the front end

 

[wrivord]

Did you have to put the ball joints into the upper A arms? Dot the directions show the angle of the A arm as installed? Looks like if it were flipped over the ball joint pointing the opposite direction,it wouldn't have the severe angle?

You may be right, I am not sure, that was why I had some one do it.

 

[wrivord]

Is it possible you have the upper control arms on the wrong side of the car?

I don't think I have them on the wrong as the ball joints are in them now. When I first assembled them they were on the opposite side and this is what I had.

 

[67 B-body]

I still think they might be upside down....

 

[moparmarks]

I'd have to agree that the upper arms are reversed.

 

[wrivord]

I still think they might be upside down....

As I look back at the photos, I think you are correct. The only other solution would be they are the wrong control arms.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Im not understanding what you mean when you say the upper control arm and the top of the spindle do not sit flush together. The biggest problem i see is the control arm is resting on the frame and does not even make contact at all with the upper arm bump stop. Thats an a arm design issue.

 

[Hemirunner]

They look upside down AND opposite but upside down at least.

This picture illustrates it best.

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

Get ahold of PST, use link in sponsor section, and talk to them about your install. I would bet your not the only guy who has had this problem. Is it even possible to install the ball joint on the wrong side of the arm? I'm looking at their catalog and the list the arms as "pre-assembled with Delrin bushings and new ball joints". BTW, thats a beautiful car, nice job on the resto.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

"This picture illustrates it best."

That picture was taken when he had the left side on the right and vice versa.
The pics in the first post look ok as far as the ball joint is concerned. When the suspension is hanging thats what it should look like.

Car needs to be sitting on the wheels and then jounce the front and a couple times to get an idea of where ride height is. Simply jacking up under lower control arm will not be a good indicator. The difference between where the jack contacts the arm and the area of the tire that contacts the ground places a different amount of torque on the torsion bar. Placing the weight as far out on the "lever" , in this case the lower control arm, will twist the torsion bar more, causing the front end to sit lower.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Those are upside down. Take out the cam bolts, undo the ball joint bolt, remove ball joint, flip the arms, reinstall ball joint, reinstall arms. then check again.

 

[wrivord]

"This picture illustrates it best."

That picture was taken when he had the left side on the right and vice versa.
The pics in the first post look ok as far as the ball joint is concerned. When the suspension is hanging thats what it should look like.

Car needs to be sitting on the wheels and then jounce the front and a couple times to get an idea of where ride height is. Simply jacking up under lower control arm will not be a good indicator. The difference between where the jack contacts the arm and the area of the tire that contacts the ground places a different amount of torque on the torsion bar. Placing the weight as far out on the "lever" , in this case the lower control arm, will twist the torsion bar more, causing the front end to sit lower.

OK, so what is the next step. Do I pull the K-member cradle out and put on the front wheels and lower it so that full weight is on the front end? You are correct about the pictures, the first set (4) is where the car is right now. I'm just not sure what the next course of action should be. Thanx, Bill