Confused on Strut Rod Bushings

[Superbee Sean]

So I am trying to reinstall my front suspension on my 1968 Super Bee. I purchased a rebuild kit, and so far it’s been…..confusing. It’s a kit that covers 1965 thru 1969, so far the lower control arm bushings

fit great in the arm, but wasn’t even close for fitting the control arm bolt (wayyyy too loose). Now, I have the arm, the strut installed and the torsion bar won’t seat fully, due to the gap between the k member and the arm. I suspect the strut is fighting it.

My question is this……the kit came with part #K-7016A Strut Rod bushings. There are 2 in each package……when I removed the strut, it only had one bushing on the rod (fwd of the k member). I installed the second on the backside of the k member….i think that is giving me the gap and twisting or loading the control arm?

Anyone have insight to the proper install of this bushing? My parts manual shows 2 for my car……..any help is much appreciated!!!!

 

[kiwigtx]

Two things spring to mind....

1. Is your chassis 100% square and correct?

2. The bushings will change position and shape and fit once the load of the car goes on them.

 

[Superbee Sean]

Two things spring to mind....

1. Is your chassis 100% square and correct?

2. The bushings will change position and shape and fit once the load of the car goes on them.

During tear down, it was noted only 1 bushing was on the strut (forward of K member……is there supposed to be a bushing on the back side of the k member? That would solve the gap on the control arm……if I have a bushing installed I Don’t need…..that’s the question.

 

[kiwigtx]

During tear down, it was noted only 1 bushing was on the strut

Do not trust that....a previous owner may have goofed it up.

Sorry I can't tell you right now the configuration of bushes and washers...... have you got a FSM?

 

[Superbee Sean]

Do not trust that....a previous owner may have goofed it up.

Sorry I can't tell you right now the configuration of bushes and washers...... have you got a FSM?

I do not have that, and I never go by what the other guy did…..spent my career in Aviation. Yet this, is kicking my butt!!

 

[Sam69sat]

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I do not have that, and I never go by what the other guy did…..spent my career in Aviation. Yet this, is kicking my butt!!

https://www.mymopar.com/downloads/servicemanuals/1968_Plymouth_Service_Manual.zip

And here are the wiring schematics for all of Mopar cars Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler for the 1968 year are contained in this file. Scroll the list till you find yours. This is after you download it and unzip it.

https://www.mymopar.com/downloads/wiringdiagrams/1968Wiring.zip

 

[Sam69sat]

Can you loosen the strut rod nut near the rubber bushing and see if you can get the torsion bar installed first?

 

[R413]

Yes you need strut rod bushings on both sides of the K frame.

Let's go back to the LCA pin sliding into the bushing. That is not going to work out, and is not how it fits. The bushings are press fit to the pin and the LCA. Your bushings are made wrong, common problem these days.

 

[WileE]

I do not have that, and I never go by what the other guy did…..spent my career in Aviation. Yet this, is kicking my butt!!

Get a FSM.

 

[Superbee Sean]

Can you loosen the strut rod nut near the rubber bushing and see if you can get the torsion bar installed first?

I did and that was the trick!!! Thank you and now I think I indexed my torsion bar wrong, way to low at first look!

 

[Superbee Sean]

Yes you need strut rod bushings on both sides of the K frame.

Let's go back to the LCA pin sliding into the bushing. That is not going to work out, and is not how it fits. The bushings are press fit to the pin and the LCA. Your bushings are made wrong, common problem these days.

Nope, already went thru at debacle!! Went with Proforged from Summit, fit great!! I loosened the strut and was able to properly seat the control arm!! Thanks for the confirmation on 2 bushings! Now I think I indexed the torsion bar wrong……looks way too low!! Any thoughts?

 

[gkent]

There is no "indexing the torsion bar wrong", there is only left or right. No front or back, no indexing. Either they go in or they don't. Screw in the adjusters.

 

[Kern Dog]

During tear down, it was noted only 1 bushing was on the strut (forward of K member……is there supposed to be a bushing on the back side of the k member? That would solve the gap on the control arm……if I have a bushing installed I Don’t need…..that’s the question.

Yes you need strut rod bushings on both sides of the K frame.

Look at this:

The red line represents the front of the K member. Yes, a bushing goes on each side.

Get a FSM.

Pfft.....THAT is a common response from people that can't explain how something goes together.
You know how many times I have looked at my service manual ?
A few times for wire diagrams and for the windshield installation guidelines.
That is it.
Now, maybe a guy with less hands on experience may benefit from having one but something like this is so simple, a couple pictures spells it out easily.

 

[RemCharger]

Describing how to properly repair something is kinda exactly the function of an FSM. Usually the problem is people can't or won't read.

 

[WileE]

Pfft.....THAT is a common response from people that can't explain how something goes together.
You know how many times I have looked at my service manual ?

I was probably working on these cars before you were born. If he has to ask a simple thing as this, he should have a FSM instead of asking over and over, or for something more difficult. That is why I recommended a FSM.

 

[R413]

Get an FSM, when you are bored page through it and get to know your car. A lot of good info in there, learn something and you can start answering questions for others.

 

[Kern Dog]

I was probably working on these cars before you were born. If he has to ask a simple thing as this, he should have a FSM instead of asking over and over, or for something more difficult. That is why I recommended a FSM.

Who cares when you started? Did you provide a picture or explanation to help the guy right NOW?
No, you didn't.
People don't ask for advice here only to be given the run-around. Many people want instant answers and sometimes, it is possible to give them.
Yes, a service manual can be invaluable but in some cases, just posting a picture allows the OP to understand immediately.

 

[WileE]

Who cares when you started? Did you provide a picture or explanation to help the guy right NOW?
No, you didn't.
People don't ask for advice here only to be given the run-around. Many people want instant answers and sometimes, it is possible to give them.
Yes, a service manual can be invaluable but in some cases, just posting a picture allows the OP to understand immediately.

Why don't you read the thread before offering a smart-*** quip. He already GOT the answer. POST #6. Duh. If someone already posts a good response, I choose not to be redundant. What did you do, use a crayon to draw a line ? I was merely replying to his comment that he doesn't have a FSM, and recommending to procure a FSM to assist in LEARNING something.

 

[Kern Dog]

Why don't you read the thread before offering a smart-*** quip. He already GOT the answer. POST #6. Duh. If someone already posts a good response, I choose not to be redundant. What did you do, use a crayon to draw a line ? I was merely replying to his comment that he doesn't have a FSM, and recommending to procure a FSM to assist in LEARNING something.

Well, post # 6 was a picture that did show the bushings. I only took his picture and did a quick depiction of where the K member intersected it.
Maybe it helped, maybe not.
I know that if I needed help right away, being the impatient type, a picture helps a LOT more than waiting for a service manual to be sent to my house.