Popping noise after suspension rebuild

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GSXcite

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I just finished replacing the upper a arm bushings, lower control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints and strut rod bushings. After having an alignment done, there is some popping in the suspension at times. I think it is coming from the strut rods. When I reassembled I tightened the lower control arm and strut rod just enough to hold them in place before I loaded the torsion bars, then lowered the car to the ground and torqued them down. I think I may have got them too tight initially and put them in a bind creating the noise. Question, can I loosen the lower control arm and strut rod while the car is on the ground, then torque them back down to see if this corrects the problem. Would it effect the alignment I had done? Thanks
 
i just got quoted 70 buck for an alignment from an old school front end shop. appointment on friday.

did you pack the torsion bars with grease ???
 
Have it sorted out. Loosened up the lower control arm and strut rod, moved the car up and down, torqued everything . The nut on the control arm holding the strut rod took more torque than I had it, anyone working great, no noise. Thanks for the help.
 
Thanks Rusty, didn't want to ruin a $250 alignment. I thought that was high, but it is hard to find anyone that wants to work on these old mopars.

That's just stupid high. You could probably hire one of the NASCAR teams cheaper.
 
Have it sorted out. Loosened up the lower control arm and strut rod, moved the car up and down, torqued everything . The nut on the control arm holding the strut rod took more torque than I had it, anyone working great, no noise. Thanks for the help.
When you talk about "loosened up the lower control arm" are you talking about the nut on the spindle that goes through the K member?
 
Yes. No.

In that order.

Whatever triple RRR said, I'll agree with him on principle, but to elaborate...

You shouldn't have any noise coming from a properly installed front-end.

If you loosen up your control arms a bit and drive the car to eliminate a bind, and then have the alignment re-done, if you keep the mileage under a couple hundred or so, you won't do any lasting damage to the tires or suspension components.

Keep in mind that most alignment shops have zero clue what to do with our cars... Never mind the bias-ply vs radials debate... so learning how align your car and investing in the right tools to do so (tape measure, angle finder, etc.) is well worth it.
 
I don't trust most other people to work on my cars. I just bought my own alignment stuff last week. I have borrowed a buddy's stuff twice before so it was time for me to buy it for myself.

Speedway Motors has a good selection, their economy kit was just under $100 and I made my own turn tables. I might upgrade the caster/camber gauge later if the cheap-o one is too janky.
smokin.gif
 
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