I'm ready to start the front end project but I need help

[Steve/Bryce]

do the front wheels need to be taken off?

il try to get pics soon i have a football every day after school and saterday so iv'e got one day a week to get anywhere

also i live in monument CO
(north of colorado springs and south of denver)

[67vertman]

Bryce,

Place the front of the car on jack stands and take off the front wheels.  It will make things a lot easier. 

[NoMope Greg]

Bryce,

I hope your Dad is feeling better.  I'm sure he's disappointed that he's not able to get down there and get dirty with you.  (Hi, Steve!  Get well soon, buddy!  )

There are a couple of members close to you who have the necessary skills to help you.  Hopefully one of them will respond and meet up with you to give you a hand.

A service manual is an invaluable tool.  I was fortunate enough to find a Chiltons manual for my car several years ago in the auto parts store.  I had previously rebuilt the front suspension on another car, so I knew (mostly) what I was doing, but when it came time to do my current car, the book was very helpful, because it had photos and torque specs and instructions when I got stuck.  If you follow this link, you can get the factory manual on CD-ROM or buy the Haynes manual that covers all Mopar RWD cars from 1971 - 1989. http://www.repairmanual.com/automobiles/1971/31/4749.  Haynes manuals are very good - usually they have good photos and clear concise explanations.  If you go that route, be careful that you are looking at the right procedure, because the newer cars (80's) have a different suspension.

As an alternative, here's a link to an article on Mopar Muscle.com.  They rebuilt the front end of a C-body Chrysler 300, but the front ends are exactly the same, just different sizes.  http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/suspension/mopp_0606_1970_chrysler_300_c_body_front_suspension_rebuild/index.html

Good luck and post pics when you get stuck.

[ChallengerHK]

Jackstands are crucial, both for your safety and ease of work. Make sure you're using a good set, because you'll be spending a lot of time underneath the car.

[sleepychallenger]

do the front wheels need to be taken off?

il try to get pics soon i have a football every day after school and saterday so iv'e got one day a week to get anywhere

also i live in monument CO
(north of colorado springs and south of denver)

If you are still there when i come back home, I would love to stop by and see you and your dad. I will be coming to Colorado Springs to pick up my wife and son after the deployment. Good luck and take your time. front end stuff is really not the part you want to rush through.

[cudaguy71]

Here is a link I found...

http://www.mts.net/~hpokrant/Dismantling/Front_End_Rebuild/Front_End.htm

Hope it helps,
Eddie

[Steve/Bryce]

all right the front wheels are off and the front is on stands whats next

[ChallengerHK]

If it was me I'd go to backing out the torsion bar adjusters until there's no pressure on the torsion bars, disconnecting the sway bar end links and disconnecting the lower end of the shocks.

[Bullitt-]

Time for rebuilt brake cylinders & new shoes...I see brake fluid leaking out of the drum & while your in there clean inspect grease the wheel bearings & replace the grease seals. Check those brake hoses too, they probably should be replaced if not done already & don't forget the rear brake hose.   

[Steve/Bryce]

thats not brake fluid just wd-40 since the wheels where pretymuch welded on. we do have a set of new disc convertions though ready to go on
what kind of tools and procedures do i need to do to let the tention off the torsion bars

[Bullitt-]

Just a standard ratchet/socket, back out the bolt that is in the middle/bottom of the lower control arm.... "Borrow" a front end tool set from a local parts house to  pull apart most of the rest of the hardware. 


Have you seen this list of parts that you popotentially could need?
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=36356.0

before removing shake/ pull at everything, if you observe any play it probably needs to be replaced.

[Bullitt-]

good description of removing the torsion bars from THE MAN

back off the T bar adjuster bolts , remove the clips behind the bars , undo the 15/16 nuts on the lower control arm pivots & the 3/4 " nuts on the rear of the struts & pry the lower control arm back until the T bars get loose enough the pull them out , make sure the weight is off the suspension when you back off the T bar adjusters

I discovered, after about killing myself trying the book method, that if you unbolt the lower ball joint from the knuckle that you can remove both ball joints with a standard tie rod tool.
something like this that came in the set I "Borrowed" from the local Advanced Auto Parts.

[Steve/Bryce]

the t bar ajusters are in the front right because mine wont move for nuthin

[Bullitt-]

Not the front, sounds like your on the strut..... Straight below the axle is the lower control arm that is formed with an opening in the middle...you will see a bolt stick almost straight down.

[Bullitt-]

pic