Do it your self suspension re build

[bigmanjbmopar]

I am finding it hard to find a shop that is willing to install new suspension parts, not that I have them yet but calling around everyone seems too uninformed on how to do it, other than a muscle car builder here who wants to charge me 2k. How hard or easy is it to do in the garage? Not even sure I have all the right tools for it.

 

[BeastlyBirdie]

Assuming you are mainly asking about the front suspension, its doable. Mancini sells a kit with most of the needed specialty tools. You will need a press, or have to take some parts to a machine shop to push bushings in and out. Then get it aligned. It is, or can be a physically demanding job- think breaker bar and pipe-but most ppl that wrench on these cars should be able to swap it.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Where are you located? If you are near me I can help you out

 

[mrsnicks]

I'm actually doing this right now. And haven't run into too many issues so far. I'm using the manual pickle forks that you have to beat on with a Big Hammer. I bought a cheap/used snap on upper ball joint socket. I haven't taken the Upper Control arms off yet or the Lower Control arms. You'll need a special tool to remove the bushings in the Upper Control Arm and you will need a special tool to remove the torsion bars. There's an outfit on ebay that sells a mopar suspension tool kit that has most of what you'll need.


You will NEED air tools. Impact gun and sockets. Tie Rod and Ball Joint separators.. preferably the air kind that go in an air chisel.. If not a B.F.Hammer for the manual kinds. Also if you want to replace the pitman arm you will need a pitman arm puller.

Patrick

 

[hunt2elk]

Mancini sells a nice front end tool kit for our cars that has everything you need for around $150. This kit along with a 1/2" impact wrench, vise, and maybe a torch will be all you need except for basic hand tools.

 

[Seax440Dodge]

it's very doable

I did mine in 1 day in my garage, only thing I didn't change was my strut rod bushings, sucked having to wait for the alignment I had an appointment for... longest 3 days of my life!

 

[fatecaptured]

It's pretty easy just my opinion. Don't forget to replace the torsion bar boots if they are worn. If you leave the upper control arms on the car, u can remove the ball joints much easier "also my opinion" . May want to consider upgrades to the tie rods and adjusters.( solid adjusters and c body tie rods).

 

[mrsnicks]

I did buy the PST solid tie rod end sleeve, but did not go up to the 11/16" size. I'm just build a 318/904 street cruiser and didn't see the need.

I'm swapping out my LCA's for a set I picked up that had front sway bar tabs.

Patrick

 

[rrTor-Red]

Whe I removed the suspension parts, I needed a torch, Some of the joints were on there so heat was the option. I even had all the pullers, pickle forks, BFH 10 lb. hammer as well. Just saying.

 

[71charger_fan]

I did my '71 in the garage with only hand tools. The only special tool I had was the ball joint socket. The only labor I paid was to the machine shop to press out my old upper control arm bushings and press in new ones. If you take out the torsion bar clip and free up the lower control arm, you can pry it all back, wrap the end of the torsion bar with rags, then knock the lower control arm forward and it should come off the torsion bar with a sharp rap or two. If you're going to replace the torsion bars, just clamp on a big pair of locking pliers behind the torsion bar cross member then hit the lower control arm forward.