Re: IML: 68 front suspenion

["Frederick Joslin" <fljoslin@xxxxxxxx>]

Rob:

Does you car sit low in the front? If the height is close to normal I would suggest that the torsion bars need replacing. 

 

When you say you replaced the "power box-upper and lower ball joints-outer tie rods-all the bushings-idler arm-shocks" was that during the complete rebuild 5 years ago or since then?

How old is the Pitman arm? If the adjusting cams were installed incorrectly is it possible that other things were not done correctly.

One thing which could help is getting "tougher" rebound bumpers. This is not a fix, but it is better to bottom out against a good urethane bumper than an old rubber one. Also new better stiffer shocks may help control the front end and avoid the bottoming. Are the shocks in good condition? Does the front end bounce after you let go if you move it up and down?

I know that my 69 Lebaron has the rubber isolated subframe at the front. I believe yours does also. Could this be causing any of the problems?

Finally cars of this design will bottom out if you go over a bad bump too fast no matter how good the front end is and the steering tightness will be nothing like a new vehicle with rack and pinion steering.  

 

 

----- Original Message -----
From: "robert hanekamp"
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: IML: 68 front suspenion
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:05:14 -0500

Hi all.

5 years ago I rebuilt my 68 Imperial from the ground up and I have been having a problem with front end ever since.

When I hit a bump in the road the front end bottoms out and hits the frame.

I had a guy at a local repair shop tell me that when I had the lower control arms rebuilt that they must have put the adjusting cams back on in the wrong spot .

And that is why I am having this problem I have the adjusting bolts on both sides all adjusted all the way up.

Also I have a lot of play in the steering I have replaced the power box-upper and lower ball joints-outer tie rods-all the bushings-idler arm-shocks-.

I am planning to drive out to Arizona this summer to see my future wife's daughter and try to meet some of the people on the list that live out there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Bob

1968 Imperial crown convertible

Fred Joslin