FINISHED ! 68 Charger front suspension - slow thread

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Sun Apr 14, 13 9:53 pm

Right. Coming back on line...

I did say it would be a slow thread. Car has been a bit neglected - life has got in the way for a while, but now the warmer weather is coming I am feeling the need to get things underway again. SO - thought I'd kick off with a pic of some of the other bits that I got today -

First of all, the Lower arms back from being blasted, along with the spindles and the whatever-the-long-diagonal-things-are-called.

All ready for coating - look like different parts. The clever bit was getting the bushes out. Welded a bolt onto the end and pressed it out - cunning. Anyway - exciting to see them again .

Second pic is just for those who are interested. Hotchkis pivots - my old ones were really worn. These are interesting because unlike the OEM items they are greasable. The green rings show the grease nipple and where it goes in the end, and then the little hold in the side of the pivot for the grease to emerge in in red. Looks like a nice piece of kit.

Anyway - hopefully there may be some more info/progress soon.

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Sun Apr 14, 13 10:19 pm

We got a blast cabinet at Bletchley mate full of fine aluminium oxide, use it any time you'd like

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Sun Apr 14, 13 10:23 pm

Those pivots look a good idea.
We're they recommended ?

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Mon Apr 15, 13 7:27 am

TO Morgan

Before you finish the lower control arms it would be a good idea to add reinforcing plates to the bottom of them to make them stronger. I have done a few sets now.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Apr 15, 13 8:43 am

Ade -

thanks dude.
Mossy - yes, picked up on a previous thread - greasable a good idea.
Anton - Literally plate welded between the sides with a hole for the adjustment bolt ? hold the two sides together better ?

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Apr 15, 13 8:59 am

morgan wrote:Anton - Literally plate welded between the sides with a hole for the adjustment bolt ? hold the two sides together better ?

Yep.

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Mon Apr 15, 13 9:41 am

I also weld around the knuckle for the lower ball joint as its riveted between the two plates and that stops any movement. I also fully weld around the bump stop mount plate to stop any movement on the top.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Apr 15, 13 12:46 pm

PM to Anton then - lets talk...

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Sat Apr 20, 13 8:09 pm

Quick pic for you all - After a trip down to Antons place this afternoon.

Firstly, massive thanks to Anton. First rate job, expertly done. First time I've been down to his premises (and who did I find there but our very own Derek !) - and I was impressed with what Anton is doing. As you can expect there were a couple of interesting bits of Americana laying around...

I also got a good look at Dereks charger, first time since the fire. Now I had taken a good look round that car before, and I reckon she is better than ever. Credit to you.

Anyway, long story short - anyone looking for quality work on their Mopar would do well to speak with Anton. You might want to be better at south London than me though (took me a while!)

Anyway - here they are now, ready for painting. Almost at the stage where I might have to bolt something together soon ?!?!

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sat Apr 20, 13 10:47 pm

Was good to catch up with you today Morgan, thanks for the kind word about my Charger, I call in to Anton's workshop a few times a week, today was to adjust the fuel sender as it was reading to low, it's quiet new as well, and besides, some one has to make good use of he two poster.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sat Apr 20, 13 11:25 pm

Morgan, have you considered adding anti roll bar mounts to your LCA's before you paint them ?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sat Apr 20, 13 11:56 pm

Good point, I assumed you had one - a good ARB will make a massive difference to the handling...

terryr · Post by **terryr** » Sun Apr 21, 13 7:01 am

i got a firm feel roll bar and it just bolts onto the arms ,and no they have not moved or come loose

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Sun Apr 21, 13 8:22 am

They do have anti roll bar mount on them already.
Look at the on in the top of the picture and you will see them.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Sun Apr 28, 13 1:35 pm

Few more pics - some actual progress now.
FINALLY (and its a big finally) got the arms off. You guys were not wrong - horrible job. Both sides the front bolt was fine , turned freely and just lifted out. The rear on both sides was horrid - seized solid, no amount of heat would have shifted it (I now know). Again, for future reference, it was the 'collar' of the bush that was seized, the bolt inside was movable - but it still had to come off the same way.

My tip would be forget hacksaws, airsaws, jigsaws - I tried the lot. They need grinding off. I decided to sacrifice the arms and just cut through the bush and holster (being very careful to not touch the car of course). The results of my brutalization can be seen below.
The final solution was with very thin *like 1mm) anglegrinder discs, a dremel grinder and a small sharp chisel to 'open' the bush from around the bolt one the surface has been broken.

Anyway - time to start treating, painting and then ASSEMBLY !!

Few pics below as ever. slowly slowly fixy charger...