Torsion bar or strut?

[mountain33]

I have been trying to find the source of a clunk in the front of my 71 RR for the past year. Found the Idler arm was bad replaced it. Did the happy dance. Short lived, clunk again. It clunks on heavy acceleration usually once or twice during a 100 mile ride. Today here in northern NJ it finally warmed up. I climbed under the passenger side of the car and noticed a long bar with a grommet ,metal washer then castle nut and pin. The grommet is about an 1/8 of an inch to 3/16 away from the frame towards the front of the car. On the other side (drivers)the grommet is against the frame. Never worked on front ends before not sure what I'm looking at. Could it be as simple as tighten the castle nut? Will take picture tomorrow. Just to know what i am looking at would be a help.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

That would be the strut rod. The torsion bars are under the front end and connect the lower control arm to the cross brace under the drivers seat area. There should be a roll pin on the end of the strut rod to prevent the nut from coming off. It should not be a castle nut though I’m pretty positive. If the bushings are in good shape it sounds like tightening the nut should take care of it. I would replace the nut though with the correct locking nut. And replace the pin. I’ll see if I can find the correct nut.

edit: link to the correct nuts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/64-74-Mopa...E&pageci=889bfac9-f8c7-4ca7-bcc7-ea5a762a5510

 

[mountain33]

That would be the strut rod. The torsion bars are under the front end and connect the lower control arm to the cross brace under the drivers seat area. There should be a roll pin on the end of the strut rod to prevent the nut from coming off. It should not be a castle nut though I’m pretty positive. If the bushings are in good shape it sounds like tightening the nut should take care of it. I would replace the nut though with the correct locking nut. And replace the pin. I’ll see if I can find the correct nut.

edit: link to the correct nuts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/64-74-Mopa...E&pageci=889bfac9-f8c7-4ca7-bcc7-ea5a762a5510

I took picture this morning of grommet. The nut is the correct one. Guess old age and bad eyesight is creeping up on me. Will tighten up and bring in to have front end gone over. Thank you for taking the time to address my question. Never worked on front ends. Not easy to do with no garage and driveways a slope.

 

[RemCharger]

There is a sleeve in there, so you shouldn't be able to tighten much. The rubber is just old. To do them is quite an affair , have to pull torsion bars, back out lower control arm etc.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Agreed. Looks like it’s time for new bushings.

 

[69plywgn]

edit: link to the correct nuts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/64-74-Mopa...E&pageci=889bfac9-f8c7-4ca7-bcc7-ea5a762a5510

Would these work for '62-'63 strut rods? Mine have lost their "self-locking" feature.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Would these work for '62-'63 strut rods? Mine have lost their "self-locking" feature.

I’m not familiar with those years of cars, so I can’t say for sure. Sorry. Hopefully someone with the knowledge will chime in.