1971 Imperial front suspension question...

[hootothecore]

I've done some suspension cleaning that involved replacing upper ball joints. The engine is out of the car, and I want to reattach the upper ball joints to the steering knuckle. Any tips on doing this without the weight of the engine in the car? When I lift the lower control arms with a floor jack, the whole car rises, and the ball joint stud is not even close to the knuckle. Will unloading the lower control arm from the torsion bars by backing off the tensioning bolt be enough?

Thanks for any insight.

Jim

 

[MONC440]

I've done some suspension cleaning that involved replacing upper ball joints. The engine is out of the car, and I want to reattach the upper ball joints to the steering knuckle. Any tips on doing this without the weight of the engine in the car? When I lift the lower control arms with a floor jack, the whole car rises, and the ball joint stud is not even close to the knuckle. Will unloading the lower control arm from the torsion bars by backing off the tensioning bolt be enough?

Thanks for any insight.

Jim

Yes back off the torsion bar adjuster and you will not have a problem.

 

[Big_John]

Removing the bumper from the upper control arm helps.

 

[hootothecore]

Yes back off the torsion bar adjuster and you will not have a problem.

That worked, thanks!

 

[hootothecore]

Removing the bumper from the upper control arm helps.

Yes, I had to remove the upper control arm bumper to get the ball joint stud threads far enough through to get the washer and nut on.

 

[MONC440]

Yes, I had to remove the upper control arm bumper to get the ball joint stud threads far enough through to get the washer and nut on.

Don't forget the cotter pin. Don't ask how I learned that lesson. ;)