Need bigtime front suspension help!

[DRoCk]

Picked up the '73 Swinger that i had been looking at on Friday.  The only complaint I have is that the front suspension is still the stock set up.  No power steering or anything, basically it needs a complete rebulid I think.  Where should I start?  Its going to be a daily driver type thing for now but the 383 is way too heavy up front.  Basically since I am new to this type of thing I need to know what to get and where to get it from.  (I want to stay with the small bolt pattern for now at least)

[Bakaruda]

Look at the RMS site.

Cary

[DRoCk]

I should mention that it needs to be a "budget job"...at least for right now.  I'm going to guess that my torsion bars are shot, as well as all the bushings in the entire front end.

[Bakaruda]

Bill sells from a little stronger than stock to the Alterkation. I would take a look at what he has, then go from there.


Cary

[DRoCk]

Will do, kinda been looking there already.  Wish I wasn't a suspension newbie!  Would it be possible to get new torsion bars, shocks and all new bushings and run it that way for awhile?  I'm almost sure that the torsion bars are my problem, thats what I get for buying a car that was the very beginning of a drag only car.  At least I managed to drive it about 50 miles on Friday including picking it up!

[sycboi]

Picked up the '73 Swinger that i had been looking at on Friday.  The only complaint I have is that the front suspension is still the stock set up.  No power steering or anything, basically it needs a complete rebulid I think.  Where should I start?  Its going to be a daily driver type thing for now but the 383 is way too heavy up front.  Basically since I am new to this type of thing I need to know what to get and where to get it from.  (I want to stay with the small bolt pattern for now at least)

It's a '73 and it has a small bolt pattern set-up?

[DRoCk]

Oh yeah...oops!  Told you I was a newbie!    

[Brad4406]

It's a '73 and it has a small bolt pattern set-up?

I just bought a '73 Duster a few weeks ago w/ /6 auto and SBP drums all around.  They aren't as rare as you think, I also have a buddy that has a couple '73 Dart Sports out at his place with similar options.

[abodyjoe]

ok if it has small bolt i would buy the stuff to convert it to large bolt pattern disc up front. buy a front end rebuild kit from pst,just suspension or whereever. buy a set of big block torsion bars and install all of it and it should make a heck of a difference...

[sycboi]

It's a '73 and it has a small bolt pattern set-up?

I just bought a '73 Duster a few weeks ago w/ /6 auto and SBP drums all around.  They aren't as rare as you think, I also have a buddy that has a couple '73 Dart Sports out at his place with similar options.

Only the drop dead low option slanty car had them right?

[sycboi]

At any rate, does the car have front discs or no?

[Brad4406]

I should mention that it needs to be a "budget job"...at least for right now.  I'm going to guess that my torsion bars are shot, as well as all the bushings in the entire front end.

You should be able to tell if everything up front is worn out just by putting it up on jack stands and shaking the front end components.  If you don't see play in ball joints and tie rod ends then none of that stuff worn out.  Check the adjustment on the torsion bars, they may not be worn out, just under adjusted.  They may be /6 bars and you may want to step up to a larger diameter bar, but I wouldn't say jump to big block bars unless you really are wanting superb handling.  You can find small block A/C car bars in a lot of junk yards still and that would be a lot cheaper than splurging for big block bars.  I would also suggest stepping up to big bolt pattern disk when you have the money, I'd comb the junk yards looking for them, they are still out there also.  Look in the tech pages area, it will tell you what you need to get off a donor car and what will work.

[DRoCk]

Thanks for all the help!!  I'm not looking for performance quality just yet, original parts with new poly stuff should be just fine.  And yeah, I think the torsion bars are out of whack.  I just need to find a place to do it for me now...no place to work on it at my place.

[jet-taz]

my 2cent's worth, 383 torsion bars, rebulid front end .poly bushing,hd strut rods. stainless brake kit. bolt on and in both bolt pattens.

[DRoCk]

Done some research today...thanks for all your help!  I drove it a little again today, at least until it started snowing, I think the real problem is that the torsion bars need adjusted.  I'm sure the rest could use freshening up, but I better take baby steps or I get the girlfriend lecturing me.

[Jim_Lusk]

Find out what you have first. If you have small bolt drum brakes, you really need to upgrade to discs. Manual steering is fine as long as the frame is not siting on the lower control arm bumpers. These cars NEED a sway bar and decent torsion bars to be a nice driver. On top of that is good shocks. this is all after adequate brakes.

Again, you need to know what you are starting with.

[Crazy68Dart]

Find out what you have first. If you have small bolt drum brakes, you really need to upgrade to discs. Manual steering is fine as long as the frame is not siting on the lower control arm bumpers. These cars NEED a sway bar and decent torsion bars to be a nice driver. On top of that is good shocks. this is all after adequate brakes.

Again, you need to know what you are starting with.

I agree.  My 68 GT 318/904 (and most other's here) started with SBP drums, and lack-luster handling to say the least.  It was terrible.  Plus my car had the 13" skinneys on it, wow I thought the tires were going to roll off the wheel a few times.  Either that or I was heading for a ditch.

Bottom line, upgrade to something safe if you have to.  But first, find out what you have.

Andy

[DRoCk]

Ok, after kneeling down in the snow today, I looked and i do have the big bolt pattern and disks up front.  I think the main issue is the tie rod ends and torsion bars needing adjustment.  I would also want new shocks while I am at it of course.  The brakes work good for manual disks.

[Jim_Lusk]

Ok, now you also need to know if you have a front sway bar (a MUST for a street car) and what size torsion bars you have. Upgrade from there. Manual discs work great.