Lower control arms

fanucme · Oct 14, 2014

Has anyone had to replace a bent lower control arm ?

My barn/yard find 73 Charger has a wierd r/f suspension issue , with the Torsion bars at the same thread adjustment , the right side is an inch lower , the lower arm has some scrapes on the bottom but doesn't look bent to the eye , even when up on the lift I can't see any other obvious signs but I do have an issue there compared to the driver side , I replaced the k member mounts with poly units over the completly gone rubbers.

Are the lower arms on these cars pretty easy to bend or get tweaked out of shape ?

Ron Ward · Oct 14, 2014

You didn't mention it, but how does the K-member look at the LCA attachment point? I've seen the welds break in those areas, allowing the LCA to wander about and alter ride height. If it's not broken, then yes, I'd say you may have a control arm problem.

Cranky · Oct 14, 2014

You can't go by how many threads show on the adjusters. Springs are generally pretty close to having the same tension but as they age, they don't always maintain the same rate. Also, I've seen the adjuster bolts that were different lengths. Just depends what has been done to your car during it's life. Has someone replaced an adjuster screw or replaced one torsion bar and not the other? Unless you bought the car new, you just don't know what it's been through. Also, I've never bent a LCA and I'm pretty rough on my stuff.

fanucme · Oct 14, 2014

Thanks for the replies , I probably have two things going on here .. keep in mind this car is only lot driveable right now - it didn't run when I got it plus the guy was hard to understand (messed up mentally)

I should have started with the fact that this car was in a fender bender on that side. The passenger fender ,hood and valance were repaired before I got it ( though poorly with lots of bondo ) I scrapped it all and I had some hammer and dolly work on the inner fender and core support area , I plumb bobbed from frame points to the floor to check square of the frame rails and also level side to side ( it checked out good )

I did mic both T bars , they are the same diameter , the sway bar and the strut rods all look even side to side ,in condition and apperance (looks original) I really looked and looked at the car from underneath except for the k member in that area , also I did not check the adjuster bolt length , thanks for the advice I need to look further at it and take consideration to the wear of spring rate on the bar.

67Charger · Oct 14, 2014

Frame shop is the only wy to check that the little fender bender didn't tweak the frame rails out of square and is causing your car to try to tripod. Seen it before.

Dako · Oct 14, 2014

For what it's worth: My `95 Dakota 4x4 had one bolt screwed in almost an inch further than the other, coming off the dealer lot brand new...this was sitting level. Unless you run out of thread and it still is not where you want it (ride-height-wise), don't put much worry into it.

As for you car being true: If you had it level when you took 'plum bobbed measurements'...and it came out square, you likely do not have any structural damage.

moparmarks · Oct 14, 2014

Well if it was in a wreck then a bent LCA is very possible. I've tossed several bent LCA's over the years

fanucme · Oct 15, 2014

I figured since it was a Charger someone may have tried to be the Dukes of Hazzard sometime in its life and the way the BB fenderwell is way open on the passenger side I was concerned.

I actually took it to a local body shop once I discovered this, the owner looked it over and didn't want to take the job saying there were no wrinkles in the rail etc. I almost had to beg him to put it on the rack - he wasn't interested , oh well , so I did take lots of measurements with 4' levels , plum bobs , etc..

Tomorrow I am heading out to see a guy parting out a 73 Satellite , 50$ for the whole passenger side arms etc. ! even if thats not my problem Its affordable from a parts changers standpoint. plus maybe theres more stuff off of it I can use

Tonight I am heading over to check out my car and look it over fresh after some of your pointers , Thank you for your ideas !
I'll take some pics also

YY1 · Oct 15, 2014

Bent/worn/sagging torsion bars also happen.

Actually not uncommon at all.

It would have to be removed in order to tell for sure.

mopar 3 B · Oct 15, 2014

73 Charger's used an isolated front frame. If you think your is bent why not replace it? Whole suspension should be attached to it.

fanucme · Oct 16, 2014

Charger

I got over to the shop last night and with some of your help i'm certain I got it figured out !

the lower control arm bushing is almost gone , It was really hard to tell being all covered in grease. The arm , though its got some scrapes in it , looks straight.
I got the replacement fender bolted on solid and lined up well and jacked up the torsion bar to get it level , the passenger side adjuster bolt is in about 3/4 of an inch vs. the driver side and there is plenty more thread left about another 1/2-3/4 before its bottomed out.

- - - Updated - - -

the small area that was wrinkled above

- - - Updated - - -

And there it is , somewhat figured out , Good enough for now, I needed another project like a hole in the head and my 11 month old son takes up nearly every day. I picked up the Charger for a back burner project - and now its a lot driver, someday we'll get to it - but we got it and piecing it together slowly and inexpensively.

I appreciate all of your input , Sometimes there is so much going on it's easy to start looking for bigger things than necessary. Thats why I cam here , to step back and take all in to account.

Lower control arms

fanucme

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Ron Ward

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Cranky

Banned Henchman #27

fanucme

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67Charger

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Dako

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moparmarks

I'm just a guy with a screwdriver.

fanucme

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YY1

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mopar 3 B

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fanucme

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