Project 1971 Dodge Challenger
We offer a complete line of suspension services, including repairing, rebuilding, and revalving of shock absorbers, front forks, and steering dampers of all major manufacturers of motorcycle and car suspension. Put the ball joint in the strut, and tighten the locking nut. The bars will also put an increased strain on the bushings, steering rack and other parts. You should not be able to move the spring once you've attached the lower control arm. If you don't want to rent or borrow these, you may have to remove the lower control arm and have the new joints pressed in at a machine shop.
The bolts must be backed out to get the control arm up and over the shock mount. The lower control arm and strut rod go in together. If a 1951 Buick lower control arm is bent or broken it should be replaced with a new assembly which includes the shaft, bushings, and dirt seals.
The end connects to the strut with a conical 'rod' locked with a nut, and the tie rod screws into the end and also has a locking nut. Sometimes this sounds a lot easier than it actually is. When they have separated, remove the ball joint nut and pull the control arm out of the spindle.
Query I was initially unsuccesful in removing the nut from the rear lower shock bracket on my 1990, despite penetrating oil and the old wrench + hammer technique. Disconnect stabilizer link from lower control arm and disconnect outer end of the tie rod from steering arm.
Because the damping characteristics of shocks and struts deteriorate gradually over time, the decline in ride control often passes unnoticed. Tip from "Servicing Coil Springs," Brake and Front End Magazine, Jan 2000) It's imperative that you make a ride-height check part of your pre-alignment inspection along with all the usual ball joint, tie rod, tire, and other examinations.
11: Loosen the upper control arm mounting bolts and carefully remove the shims. Figure 6. Uppermost boom section is resting on ground, and no pins between uppermost boom section and crane body are to be removed. Remember that there will be a lot of spring pressure on ‘A' arms, so be very, very careful when you remove these bolts and nuts.
Suspension springs begin to sag and lose a tremendous amount of spring pressure as they age. In a perfect world, you could simply press down on the lower control arm and the stud would drop free of the strut. The forks and shock are then re-assembled with all new bushings and seals, correct oil levels, nitrogen pressures, and the correct springs for your weight and riding style.
Dirt Rider has shown the ins and outs of disassembly and reassembly of the common cartridge fork designs and how to handle seal replacement and routine service. The bushings were in bad shape after more than a decade on the road, and the ball joints were loose and leaking.
If you forget to remove them, the spring must be unloaded if the lower control arms have been removed. In estimating rear spring overloads, place rear wheels of car on scale, with car at curb weight and no load in rear compartment other than spare wheel and tire.
The rear camber strut rod bushings wear the most due to their thin strip of rubber that wraps around the inner sleeve. Whether it's one or two, replacing struts typically requires suspension disassembly and wheel realignment, meaning that it is a job best left to the professionals.
