Suspension Assembly Help

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MoparManiac117

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Hey all. I'm putting the suspension back on my '72 Duster and I've run into an issue and need some advice. I've got stock lower control arms with new pivot shaft bushings and new bumpstops on them. I'm using the Mancini strut rods and Moog strut rod bushings (#K7040). I got the passenger side all installed with no issues. I connected the strut rod to the control arm, put the pivot shaft through the hole in the K frame, and the strut rod slid right in with no problems. The driver's side is a different story, though. I'm having big issues getting everything to go in. I tried the same method as I did on the other side of the car and the lower control arm is still at an angle. The bumpstop hits right on the corner of the frame rail pocket, rather than right in the center like on the other side of the car (see picture). I can't ever get the pivot shaft to pull the arm the rest of the way over, either because the bushing on the strut rid is already wedged right up into place in the k frame. Can somebody give me some advice as to what's going on? Hopefully the pictures will explain a little better.

photo1.jpg

You can see where the bumpstop is hitting in relation to the pocket on the frame. It is not centered up and the arm looks like it is not sitting perfectly perpendicular to the frame rail.

photo3.jpg

You can also see that there is still quite a bit of room left before the pivot shaft bottoms out against the k frame. It will not pull all the way in.

photo2-1.jpg

I believe it is because the strut rod bushing will not sit square in the hole. This is the two piece bushing with the metal sleeve pressed into the rubber and the metal sleeve will no align with the hole in the k frame when attached to the lower control arm.

Sorry for the long post. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
 
Try removing the bump stop. Sometimes you need to move the arm past the bump stop to install it. Easier to reinstall the torsion bar also.
 
In the pic it does not look like the bump stop is hitting,I bet the strut bushing is holding it back,just for giggles remove the strut rod and see if it will seat now ,the lower arm that is.
 
Snake said:
In the pic it does not look like the bump stop is hitting,I bet the strut bushing is holding it back,just for giggles remove the strut rod and see if it will seat now ,the lower arm that is.
Click to expand...

I tried that last night and it would seat just fine. It is difinitely the bushing holding me back.
 
Maybe that strut rod is longer than the other side? You said you got them from mancini maybe they sent one different one. accidents happen. quick measurement will tell you if that's the problem. Other than that I guess check the bushing and bushing area for issues? maybe something is bent?
 
SirDan said:
Maybe that strut rod is longer than the other side? You said you got them from mancini maybe they sent one different one. accidents happen. quick measurement will tell you if that's the problem. Other than that I guess check the bushing and bushing area for issues? maybe something is bent?
Click to expand...

You are the winner, SirDan! Two different lengths it is. I was sweating this big for a second. I need to remember to take EVERYTHING out of the box BEFORE I start putting things together :eek:ops:
 
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