Questions about front shocks.

[Gene D]

I Inherited my father's 1970 charger. I am changing the front shocks and suspension components because it sat for some time.
I recently bought bilstein 55-r082 shocks for the front as recommended by others. The problem I'm having is the shocks when installed do not let the upper control arm rest on the bump stops. I would say its off by about atleast 3/4". Removing the shocks, lets it rest on the bump stops. Is this typical? Also, torsion bar is loosened at the moment. Any reason why this would be the case? The cars has been kept stock all it's life.

 

[Bird 426]

Why would you want the control arms to rest on the bump stops? Bump stops are for excessive travel, as hitting a pot hole or severe change vertically on the road surface. Sounds like you have several other issues to deal with. Torsion bars shouldn't be loose. Someone else here with more knowledge about front suspension will jump in.

 

[ckessel]

Sounds like the suspension is at full droop from being in the air. To me, normal stuff on the shock. When you let it down, put the bushing/washer/nut on and cinch them down. Did you loosen the bar up? It should still have some load on it even when up in the air. Maybe have dead bars or the lower control arm bushing is toast. Like this one from the 72 Challenger I'm working on.

 

[twecomm]

If you are rebuilding the front end why not replace the portion bars as well. They do get tired after supporting the car after 55 years.

 

[ckessel]

The Challenger is getting upgraded big time. Along with the usual front end stuff.

 

[Gene D]

I loosened the torsion bar to replace the upper control arms. I'll take a closer look at the lower control arms to see if there is excessive wear. Thank you for the replies.

 

[WileE]

The UCA doesn't "sit" on the bump stop. If you loosened the torsion bars, they should be raised again to alignment specs

 

[Geoff 2]

Gene,
I would say you have the wrong shocks. If the shock bottoms out/goes solid before the bump stop takes the hit, why bother to have bump stops????

 

[Kern Dog]

If the car is on jackstands or a car lift, yes...the upper control arms should droop enough to rest on these bumpstops:

If you have tubular UCAs....

If the suspension is at full droop and the upper control arm does not touch the bump stop....yeah, the shocks are too short.
People advise Bilstein shocks but they need to be specific. The RCD version of Bilsteins are the correct ones. I'm pretty sure RCD stands for Race Car Dynamics. They are available through Firm Feel Inc.
Regarding your "loose torsion bar", if the car is up in the air with the suspension unloaded, the torsion bar has no tension on it and may move a little.
Cheers and welcome to the forum.