Rebuilding Front lower control arms

[adam83]

Hi just joined the site. This is my 2nd B body, just picked it up last month. Finally found a dana 60 410 posi for the rear. Now that that search is over Im focusing on the front suspension, it needs new bushings all around. When the LCA's are off and old decrepit bushings removed, I will get them sand blasted and will order reinforcing plates to box them. Then I will paint them and install new moog rubber bushings (It was recommended in a tech article to "use stock rubber pieces in the lower control arms because the poly bushings have no means of positively retaining the control arm to the pivot shaft.") Upper control arms are next, and will get new poly bushings. My question is, is it a good idea to replace the torsion bars if they are they are the original pieces? Im pretty sure I will be upgrading them later on when more modifications are made, and Id rather not spend the money on them now if I dont have to. I have no experience with them, so i dont know if they are replaced in regular maintenance intervals or if they are supposed to last forever if taken care of

 

[hunt2elk]

Welcome to the sight. There are alot knowledgeable people willing to help out on here.
I ordered a poly front end kit for my Charger project. While putting it together I noticed the problem with the lower control bushings not wanting to stay seated. This kind of bothers me and I am going to buy some rubber ones also. Not sure if they needed replacing, but I bought a pair of .96 torsion bars to replace the stock .92's on my car.

 

[RICHIES ARMOR]

Im just doing the same thing to my 73 Satellite. I ordered the PST LCA plates and they worked great. Upgraded to all uethane bushings etc. I didnt upgrade my torsion bars but may add adjustable bars in the future.

Richie

Edit: Also PST was great to work with!

Thanks James!!

 

[Propwash]

I would say if there's apparent damage or heavy degradation to the bars replace them.......

 

[PST]

I would say if there's apparent damage or heavy degradation to the bars replace them.......

I agree with propwash on the bars, but just a little information on our front end kits if you order the polygraphite front end kit. We supply as a courtesy lower rubber control bushing so if you don't want to use the polygraphite you have the rubber to use.

Also here is a link to the lower control arm I did a rebuild on with our products:

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?49082-PST-s-Stiffening-Plates-Install

Thanks
James

 

[adam83]

thank you for the info james. After price shopping the sand blasting, cost of plates, cost of bushings, and r&r to get old bushings out and new ones in, I think I might just send my cores to firm feel and have them done. It would save me the hassle of taking the old bushings out, then going to the sand blasters, then towelders to get the plates on, then to the machine shop to get the new bushings pressed in..