Replacing Torsion bars and lower control arms

[Rick]

Making progress and learning
One side off

Looks like I will be replacing the Power steering unit it has quite the leak




Like my redneck torsion bar remover LOL hey it worked


Nice PST Upper Control Arms arrived

Thanks James

Old vs New




Learning alot on this project and how expensive parts can be.

O yeah had to drop the exhaust to get the torsion bar out. LOL why me baby

Now the hunt for lower control arms with sway bar tabs. Not wanting to weld brackets in place

 

[GearAddict]

Looks like you're making great progress...

As far as LCA's with sway bar tabs... Most of the aftermarket sway bars come with a set of brackets that attach with longer bolts through the shock absorber bolt holes. My Hellwig bar came with them, but I didn't use them, since my LCA already had the tabs.... this was true for my 69, I'd think yours would be the same, but maybe not.

Also, if you're handy with a welder buy the LCA reinforcing/stiffening plates, while your at it... they're cheap and will help with the additional twist imparted by the new sway bars... not required, but good to do.

 

[uwss]

How critical is it ? Your talking about a car thats 40 years old plus or minus. Replace the parts. Cost you about 500 dollars and will take you about 2 days if you have all the parts on hand. Replace the tie end sleeves with aftermarket, new forward strut rods,all new bushings, reinforce the LCA with plates, the only hard part is taking the bushings to a local shop and pressing them in. I asked to borrow the press and didn't cost me a dime. or have them do it and give them 20 bucks.
The torsion bars will need to be indexed depending on how much you want to raise the vehicle. I would go with the 1" bars.
Install new shocks all around , I went with Viking shocks; expensive but adjustable and rebuildable.
I install air bags at the rear axle.
Suspension is very important and makes a huge difference in the fun factor.

 

[Rick]

Thanks and good points I am gonna go for it and replace most. It will take awhile since I have to trade off purchasing parts for the car and crossing off a honey do project LOL