need some front end rebuild tips

Hi,
I am working on changing the bushings in the front end of my 70 dart. So far i have gotten the upper control arms off and those bushings changed. Now i need to change the strut and lower control arm bushings. This is where i need some help. I have a service manual and have been using it quite a bit. SO to change the strut bushings i need to remove the torsion bar and lower contol arm.

I do not want to buy the tool to remove the torsion bar, is there another way that i could do this without the tool?

Thanks

Steve

Actually Yes......, BUT it involves removing the engine, disconnect LCA from spindle, then unbolt k-frame, "Pull" the K-frame forward using a tow strap and vehicle. Supporting the K-frame with a jack, making sure the car dosent fall of the jack stands. I did it that way bacause, I didn't have the tool either and the car was coming apart for fixin. Be careful, go slow.. the K frame will slide off the T bars. Remove the rear C clip and they will slide out. Certainly not the best way to do it, but it does work in a pinch. The Bad news is there is no way to change the lower control arm bushing with out the tool and a press. Pm me if ya need more info

Buy the tool, its worth every penny.

Just get the tool or make one that will bolt to the torsion bar. It doesn't take a lot of beating to get it out. I actually used a piece of angle iron clamped to the bars with hose clamps. That was on a 63 dart that looked to me to never be apart. One thing I noticed was that even with the adjusters completely loose there was still a little bit of tension on the bars. I just used a pipe wrench to apply a little more opposing force. With a couple of whacks they slid right out. I am not recommending you to do it this way.....It worked for me. If I actually knew what I was getting into I would have used the correct tools. As far as the lca bushings...............GOOD LUCK! Even with a press it is difficult. There is nothing to press against to remove the bushing. I used a small chisel to split the bushing and beat it out.(30 minutes of beating per side) I know there is a post about welding a washer to the outside lip to press it out.(I didn't have a welder). The press is actually for the install mostly.

Sorry didn't see the part about the strut bushing. I replaced mine after the bars were out. I'm not sure about the strut bushing. I think you could replace just the strut bushings without removing the lca or the torsion bars.

After beating on the lca bushings for about half an hour, I got my sawzall out and cut them out in about five minutes. Another good way to get the bushing in and out is by using a socket with the same diameter as the outside of the bushing, clamp the arm down and just pound it out.

I made my own tool with angle steel and large vise grips. Used the vise grips to clamp the angle steel around the torsion bar and hammered on the vise grips. They came loose after about 10 smacks. No damage on the bars.

Greg

on original lca bushings,cut the bushings out of chisel the shell out. to get them in, i use a piece of pipe from the hardware store that fits around the outer edge of the bushing. you need to press the lca shaft into the bushing first, and then press that assembly into the arm. cut the piece of pipe so that it is just longer than the shaft.

Make your tool,is the best thing you do! :thumbup:

go to mancini and buy the tools. They are so Friggin helpfull.
If you're doing the LCA bushing, don't be an idiot like me and press the damn thing in the wrong way..

TIPS:
1. Don't torque down the LCA pivot until your Torsion bar is installed.
2. apply grease to the torsion bar hex ends after getting the front side through the "previously cleaned" frame hex retainer.
3. Use the tools. They are built for the job and work great! one of the best $170 investments made on my rebuild.


hope this helps.

- Stu

If you think you will be doing this again I would buy the tool or build my own but if not, do it like 440duster said with the two pieces of small angle iron and vise grips. I did it this way for years before I bought the tool. Good luck.

thanks for the advice. I think i will be trying the angle iron and vise grips method on saturday. I got all day, so hopefully i can get it all apart and back together again. Thanks again!

Steve