Torsion Bars/Lower Control Arm

[70chall440]

The stiffening plates do not tighten them up, it stiffens them up so that under stress they do not flex. You do not really squeeze them when you put the plates on unless they are deformed, but even if you did squeeze them it would not tighten them up. I don't believe there is really much you can do to tighten them up and really I don't think it is an issue.

[SlyGuy]

That makes me feel better about reusing them. As always, your input is very much appreciated.

[70chall440]

My pleasure.

[dodj]

ya, what 70chall said. Those stiffener plates you refer to are for reducing the amount of 'twist/flex' between the two halves of the lca, not the tightness of the torsion bar socket pivot.
Did you go with any other improvements to the front end like offset bushings or heim joint struts or...?

[SlyGuy]

Well, I kind of shot my budget on engine, trany, and rear end. So, for now, we are going mostly stock on suspension and brakes. I work for O'reilly Auto Parts, so I can get a lot of the parts "relatively" inexpensively with my discount. I did upgrade to thicker torsion bars, and performance leaf springs however. Also, I noticed that my LCA's have tabs (with holes) that I "assume" are mounting points for a sway bar?? I don't remember taking a sway bar off, so I guess that I could add that for another upgrade.

[70chall440]

Yes the tabs should be for a sway bar, there have been cars made without a sway bar but had the tabs.

[SlyGuy]

Made good progress today. Installed upper and lower control arms, upper and lower ball joints, spindles, strut rods, and torsion bars. Yeehaw! We are getting close to putting wheel and tires on this thing and actually having a rolling shell of a car. That being said, I have a new question for ya'll regarding rotors.

Does anyone know if the stock brake rotors are the same for 70 to 74 on the Challengers? Mine is a '72, and the rotors that came off have what looks like a plate that the studs are connected to. I found some rotors for a '73, and the dimensions look to be the same. However, they are solid cast even where the studs are attached. Just trying to figure out if they are ok to use since they are not made quite the same.   

[73440]

I see different part numbers in the Mitchell Manual between 72 and 73

71 72 3five80five0six
73 3five8073six

sorry keyboard five and six don't work