Front Suspension Height Adjustment after 1971 Front Drum Upgrade to 1973+ Front Disc Brakes

[Duster256]

FABO Nation - According to the factory service manual, for a '71 Duster (front drum brakes), the difference between (a) the measurement from floor-to-lower control arm pivot adjusting blade and (b) the measurement from floor-to-bottom of lower ball joint housing, should be 1-5/8".

According to the FSM for '73, that difference should be 1-7/8".

I swapped out my front drum brakes to Dr. Diff's Stage 1 front disc brake conversion (a '73+ Duster front disc brake setup). With the new '73+ steering knuckle and new larger lower ball joint, I presume that I need to set my front suspension height at the '73 spec and not the '71 spec?

Dumb question, but I'd like to know what others have done in my situation. Thanks, Dave

 

[Murray]

Ignore factory way. Measure real car height. I measure with a tape measure from floor, through front axle, to bottom of wheel opening. Same for both sides. Adjust at any height within a range.

 

[mvh]

Have to disagree with Murray. That method may visually level the car, but it won't align the front end or equalize the loading on the wheels.

I think you are right that the 73+ spec applies. The larger ball joint would increase the height difference between the blade and the ball joint. Try it and see if it looks plausible. You probably will need an alignment to set caster and camber after you set the ride height.

 

[MMissile]

Set your height, drive it to settle, reset, and have it aligned.

 

[Duster256]

67-72 A-body LCAs are somehow different from 73-36 A-body LCAs. Does anyone here at FABO who rebuilds LCAs know the difference between the two? I'm asking because the lower control arm pivot point adjusting blade is one of the two measuring points in setting the ride height (the other measuring point being the bottom of the lower ball joint).

My 71 Duster retains its original 1971 LCA, but now has a 73+ disc brake knuckle and bigger lower ball joint installed. If I'm going to set ride height according to the 73+ spec because of the new knuckle/larger ball joint, I'm curious to know what the difference is between 67-72 and 73-76 LCAs and if that difference will affect the ride height measurement at the adjusting blade or at the lower ball joint. Thanks.

 

[toolmanmike]

Wow, I know there are specs and a micky mouse way to measure. This shouldn't be rocket science. I have owned Mopars since thd late 6o's and have never measured ride height with anything other than a tape measure. I'm with @Murray, adjust it where you want it and get it aligned. If you set it at a reasonable height, it will be close to whatever factory specs are. Extreme height adjustments will give you a bad ride and handling so take that into consideration over the look you want.