i've been trying to understand how all the different parts in the suspension work together. i don't like to just buy new parts and replace them until the problems gone. so i feel the best way to troubleshoot is to understand what exactly it is that each part does. i know there's a great description in the FSM but for those poor guys out there without one, this would be a great resource.

shocks - simple enough right? you go over a bump and the shock compresses.

strut rod - Forward and backwards motion?

torsion bar - similar to a coil right? go over a bump and the torsion bar and shock work together to give you a smooth ride?

does the lower control arm and upper control arm effect ride comfort? or are they more for the steering and cornering?


i recently replaced the leaf springs and there is a noticeable difference. but now i feel as though the front of the car is bumpier. you know when you're on the freeway and there's that part of the road that has dips in it? you can hear the tires from the other cars around you making that flopping sound. Well, at higher speeds, the car doesn't seem to be effected as much, but when going about 30mph, it feels like i'm in a low rider. it's a harsh ride, there doesn't seem to be any spring to the suspension, it's just sudden dips and flops. Would this be a torsion bar issue? (new shocks, edelbrock ias).

once again, thank you for your time fellas. a knowledgeable bunch here.

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70 Plymouth Valiant 4dr

Perhaps you could Google the various suspension components, automobile suspensions, torsion bar suspensions, frontend alignment, etc., and see what pops up. There is a lot of information out there on the web that you can study for a better understanding of how it all works, and why.

In general, if you were to replace worn frontend parts, your car would ride & handle as it was designed to when new. Every suspension part that is in your frontend degrades as time, and mileage roll on. Some parts last longer than others, but where you have 40 year old machine, I bet most of your suspension is degraded to a point that it is bordering on unsafe.

Steering components: tires; steering gear; ball joints; tie rod ends; idler arm; and upper & lower control arm bushings, torsion bars wear, or in other words, become sloppy. Each little bit of slop from a single part is added to all the slop of the others, so the result is a lot of slop. Slop is additive…

To make an old car’s front end work right, all its parts have to be tight. This requires inspection of each component to determine if it is within acceptable tolerances, if it is not, it needs to be replaced. Once all parts are in speck, a front end alignment will be needed.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Get the Stockel book described in this thread.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Yes as Dan said, This Stockel Book is great! We have in in our library at school - You can get your copy on amazon for only $4.00ish.. used.


Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack