Front End Issues on 71 GTX Clone

[gibber]

I just got finished replacing the instrument cluster, installing new carpet, front and rear speakers, modern AM/FM vintage radio, etc for our annual Mopar car show we had on Sat. The car used to have very large tires on the back (285's) and I replaced them with 225's 70R 15's to match the front. I noticed the front end stance seemed a bit high, but didn't think much more about it until we took the car to the show. At any speeds above 65 mph, the car becomes uncontrollable, the front end weaves back and forth and is very unstable. Slow down to 65 or slower and the car steers OK. My question is, would the torsion bar adjustment be one of the main culprits? The front end suspension parts are all in good shape, and there is no vibration or pull in the front end as long as you stay under 65. A couple of the guys at the show commented that the front stance seemed very high and the torsion bars needed to be adjusted to bring the front end down. Just wondering if that was the first thing I should do...

Also, when I put the steering column back it, it seemed like the column would not push back far enough to line up the slots in the steering column bracket with the dash mounting bolts. I had to slide the plastic pieces that fit in the steering column bracket part way out to get the mounting nuts back on. It didn't seem to be an issue before I took the column down to replace the cluster...any ideas?

Thanks!

Mark

 

[super-bee_ski]

Yup
Most likely.

There is an actual procedure for "Timing" the torsion bars.
That is what it is called.

 

[wahya]

Years and years ago, I had the alignment shop lower the front end of my Satellite, because it seemed to sit too high in front. During my restoration of the car, I had the car aligned and I forgot to tell them any different and they set it to specs. As I drove it home and got on it a bit, the car was squirrely and hard to control. I took it back in and had them lower the front end and it made a world of difference.

 

[WileE]

There's a specification for height, and after you set tire pressures, thats what you adjust before camber, caster, & toe-in. I did alignments on these cars when they were new. And you dont measure height from the fender wheelwell. You may have a caster issue, as well. These cars need as much positive caster as they'll take. A front alignment by somebody who knows what they're doing is in order.

 

[73SwingerDart]

I dont know anything about the steering issue but I would sure like to see that new radio. Im getting ready to do the same to my 72 SSP. Can you tell us which brand you bought and your thoughts please?

 

[gibber]

Thanks everyone for the info. I am taking the car on Friday to a guy who knows how to work on front ends and alignments for these old Mopars. He works at Bill Luke Dodge Chrysler Jeep here in Phoenix. As for the radio, it is awesome! I bought all my speakers (two upgraded 6 by 9's for the back, and a small stereo speaker setup for the front) from S&M Electrotech (www.turnswitch.com). Excellent speakers, and the radio works great, can run the volume up with no distortion to speak of. It also weighs abouta third of the original radio and is half as deep.

http://www.classiccarstereos.com/product/Mopar-E-Body-Replica-Radio/861105B.html

Thanks,

Mark