Lower control arm on my 69 340 4spd dart swinger

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340cudaman1

340cudaman1

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I'm rebuilding the front susp. I have replaced the bushings on the upper A/Arms already, also the upper balljoints. Next are the lower control arm bushings. I know the torsion bars have to be removed from the control arm (easer said than done). I have heard the bolt that attaches the arm to the front of the frame is some how inside of the bushing and would have to be drilled out or taken to a shop the have the bushings removed and new ones installed. Any help would be appreaciated. This a first for me, never did susp work other than shocks.

340cudaman1:-k
 
Does the Bushing on the 1 end stick out like on the upper A/Arm? Also what about the bolt that holds the control arm to the frame? How does that come out? Does anyone have a picture of the arm out of the vehicle with the bolt still attached? What I did with the bushings on the A/Arm was to cut an X with a hacksaw (careful not to cut into the arm) than used a screwdriver to tap the cut ends over to the center than tapped with a hammer and they came right out. Cleaned out the hole, than I used never-seaze on the new bushings and on the inside of the A/Arm. I placed the A/Arm over my open bench vice, using a piece of wood I than tapped in the new bushing. Worked like a charm and no damage to the A/Arm or bushing. The cost, never-seaze and a piece of wood.
230cudaman1
 
There have been numerous threads on replacing the LCA bushings. I am planning a how-to video, but don't have any arms to do at this time. If I can get my GTS into the garage I may do them just for this purpose. I'm sure it needs a front end rebuild again since the last time was 1986.
 
Easy way if your replacing strut rod bushings also.
Remove the clips from the rearward torsion bar sockets. Use a shop hammer to knock the lower arm rearward torsion bar and all. Then knock the lower arm forward and it should come off the torsion bar before that bar ever finds it way back into the socket. Just leaves the torsion bar danging there waiting for reassembly.
 
340cudaman1 said:
Does the Bushing on the 1 end stick out like on the upper A/Arm? Also what about the bolt that holds the control arm to the frame? How does that come out? Does anyone have a picture of the arm out of the vehicle with the bolt still attached? What I did with the bushings on the A/Arm was to cut an X with a hacksaw (careful not to cut into the arm) than used a screwdriver to tap the cut ends over to the center than tapped with a hammer and they came right out. Cleaned out the hole, than I used never-seaze on the new bushings and on the inside of the A/Arm. I placed the A/Arm over my open bench vice, using a piece of wood I than tapped in the new bushing. Worked like a charm and no damage to the A/Arm or bushing. The cost, never-seaze and a piece of wood.
230cudaman1
Click to expand...

It goes through the K-frame and there is a nut on the other side (front side of the K-frame). There might be some sort of plastic splash shield there that makes it difficult to see. It'll take a larger deep socket (11/16 possibly?). Take that nut off and then do the procedure described by Redfish to remove the torsion bars safely.

Remember to press the pivot rod into the bushing before pressing the bushing into the LCA. That way you don't have to worry about supporting the bushing from the backside and possibly tearing the rubber or pushing the inner sleeve out.
 
I want to THANK EVERYONE for their imput. Don't know what I would have done without it. THANKS again.
340cudaman1
 
If you have the arms off, weld a plate across the bottom to make them stronger. Make sure you have holes in the correct places for making adjustments. Look on the internet for pictures of commercially available ones and then make your own.
 
I want to THANK EVERYONE AGAIN for all your help. Without it, things would not have gone so easy.

I just finished (Sunday) rebuilding the front end. All day Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday. Funny how much longer it takes for the first side,than
the 2nd side takes about 1/3 of the time. I did the heating of the bushing.
That WAS the only way to get them out. I'll be taking the Dart for the
front end alignment this week.

Again, thanks for all the help.

MOPAR RULES!!!

Anyone who argues, I just tell them to look at the record books. That shuts them up.

340cudaman1
 
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