DTM Racing Project: "Sally" the 1968 Dodge Dart

[wedged]

in case you have not experienced it, urethane lower control arm bushings on a Mopar do not properly retain the lower control arm. The pin will float around inside the bushing allowing the arm to move front to rear. If you don't believe it, just put the car in the air and then pry back and forth on the arm near the bushing. This is a problem that everyone seems to ignore and never mention. The factory original rubber bushing retains the arm much better.

[DTM Racing]

Originally Posted by wedged

in case you have not experienced it, urethane lower control arm bushings on a Mopar do not properly retain the lower control arm. The pin will float around inside the bushing allowing the arm to move front to rear. If you don't believe it, just put the car in the air and then pry back and forth on the arm near the bushing. This is a problem that everyone seems to ignore and never mention. The factory original rubber bushing retains the arm much better.

In the cars that I've done, I've never seen it to be an issue. once the arm is locked in place by the retaining nut, struts and torsion bar, any slop is removed. I've taken them off vehicles with 12,000 miles and still as tight as the day they went in. Is it possible that the "looseness" is actually coming from the pin hole in the K-member? I've had to reweld several of those because they come detached inside the k-member.

[Bryce]

Looking good Dan, I am in the middle of my 8:1 steering upgrade too. I will call you next week and quiz you. haha

[Bucketlist2012]

Very Nice..

Although a Chevy guy, I love all cars, and certain Mopars are just Killer...

The Dart is one of them...Sweet car you have, and nice Job..

[Rick Dorion]

Nice. Do you have a side pic of the car? I just saw a local ad for a 67 dart sedan which has me interested.

[DTM Racing]

[Rick Dorion]

Thanks. I have a soft spot for these as I had a 340 '70 Duster.

[DTM Racing]

Its been a busy week getting everything ready for RTTC3 and the Mopar open house at Hotchkis. Here is a bit of a recap:

The cluster came back from Redline Gaugeworks


And this gets taken care of...








More work on the coolers and fans, as well as some touch up on the radiator.







More wiring work under way.











Some flair.

[wedged]

Originally Posted by DTM Racing

In the cars that I've done, I've never seen it to be an issue. once the arm is locked in place by the retaining nut, struts and torsion bar, any slop is removed. I've taken them off vehicles with 12,000 miles and still as tight as the day they went in. Is it possible that the "looseness" is actually coming from the pin hole in the K-member? I've had to reweld several of those because they come detached inside the k-member.

The torsion bar is not and was not designed to retain the control arm. The factory rubber bushing is a press fit to the pin and to the arm. That press fit and the strut rod is what is supposed to retain the arm. Caster will dynamically change under accelleration and braking if that press fit is not retained. If you take the torsion bars out you can better see what I am talking about. Remove 1 bar and then pry on the arm at the pivot pin. it will start sliding off the pin.

[DTM Racing]

Been working pretty steady to get the car ready for RTTC. Lots of parts ordered and sitting around staring at stuff to make better....
Pulled the Cluster to have our friends at Redline Gaugeworks do their magic.


The interior as we got it, felt carpet and all..




Test fitting the new carpet. Grey is the new black folks!



Engine getting ready for shiney stuff...





In theme with making every penny count, we'd rather spend money on parts than shoes...



Coming along nicely...


And our new front drum piston...



Tackling wiring now, should have that and the new trans buttoned up tomorrow.