Author Topic: CAP Auto lower control arm problems  (Read 8181 times)

Offline mjb765

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 660
CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« on: June 01, 2011 - 09:48:31 PM »
Put a set of CAP Auto lower control arms on my 71 Challenger and I am having a problem with the front sway bar. When I mount it like it was on the stock arms it sits way too far down below the arm and it doesn't fit properly if I try to mount the bar above the control arm. Anybody else have this issue?? It seems like I need shorter sway bar mounts, but everything I find is the same size as stock. I tried calling the CAP tech line for the last 2 days and nobody calls you back. Anybody got an ideas??

Mike




Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2011 - 09:51:42 PM »
Put a set of CAP Auto lower control arms on my 71 Challenger and I am having a problem with the front sway bar. When I mount it like it was on the stock arms it sits way too far down below the arm and it doesn't fit properly if I try to mount the bar above the control arm. Anybody else have this issue?? It seems like I need shorter sway bar mounts, but everything I find is the same size as stock. I tried calling the CAP tech line for the last 2 days and nobody calls you back. Anybody got an ideas??

Mike

Is this with the torsion bars adjusted? Can you post some pictures?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline mjb765

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 660
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2011 - 09:56:22 PM »
Is this with the torsion bars adjusted? Can you post some pictures?

Torsion bars are adjusted...I will try to get out there tomorrow night after work and re-attach it and take a couple of pics.

Offline HP2

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4478
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2011 - 09:52:24 AM »
Can't you just use a shorter bolt to attach the bar to the arm?

Offline mjb765

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 660
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2011 - 07:44:51 PM »
Can't you just use a shorter bolt to attach the bar to the arm?

That was my first thought...but then there are also clearance issues..see pics

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2011 - 07:51:25 PM »
Is the other side the same? I'm just wondering what if you pushed the sway bar over to the other side to get some clearance on the strut rod? :clueless:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline mjb765

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 660
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2011 - 08:11:37 PM »
Is the other side the same? I'm just wondering what if you pushed the sway bar over to the other side to get some clearance on the strut rod? :clueless:

Pretty much the same on both sides...and doesn't it look too low?

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2011 - 08:16:10 PM »
Looks like your going to have to call Ray at Cap Auto.....  :faint:
How do the strut rods line up? Did you get the adjustable ones?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Super Blue 72

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12711
  • "Big 'n Little" Member since 8/9/05
    • Phil's Super Blue '72
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2011 - 08:25:26 PM »
Hard to compare apples to oranges but those look so different from the stock arms.  I would try to eyeball them and hold the old ones up to the new ones (even while they are in the car) to comapre them but it might be difficult as they look so different.

Who is the manufacturer?  Make sure you got the right part.  Whan I got headers for an old Integra I used to have the company that made them mixed up the parts and half the header was for a Civic.   :pullinghair:

Here's a pic of a 70 Challenger for reference if it helps.  Notice the sway bar is almost level with the bottom of the lower control arm, but since the CAP ones are so different you can't really compare the two.  But yes, the sway bar looks too low in your pic.  :2cents:

1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340, AT, Code TB3=Super Blue, SBD=8/17/1971.  Yes, a Rallye without the fender louvers from the factory because of the body side molding option.

Pic #2 and 3 of my ARII 1/24 scale model car 

Phil in New England-Massachusetts  Always thank God for what you have!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/456046/1972-dodge-challenger

Offline mjb765

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 660
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2011 - 08:45:04 PM »
Looks like your going to have to call Ray at Cap Auto.....  :faint:
How do the strut rods line up? Did you get the adjustable ones?

Didn't change the strut rods......they went in pretty easy. I have been trying to call Cap Auto for 3 days--left messages on the tech line voicemail and with the girl that answers the order line during the day. No call back yet!
« Last Edit: June 02, 2011 - 08:48:31 PM by mjb765 »

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2011 - 08:59:53 PM »
Didn't change the strut rods......they went in pretty easy. I have been trying to call Cap Auto for 3 days--left messages on the tech line voicemail and with the girl that answers the order line during the day. No call back yet!

 That sucks! :pullinghair:   I wonder if you got A-Body arms by mistake? :clueless:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline mjb765

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 660
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2011 - 09:08:17 PM »
That sucks! :pullinghair:   I wonder if you got A-Body arms by mistake? :clueless:

Now that would SO suck---you think it's possible???

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2011 - 09:18:10 PM »
Now that would SO suck---you think it's possible???
I do know A-Body LCA's are different than E-Body's? Some years of A-Bodys the sway bar tab is mounted really low?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline mjb765

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 660
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2011 - 09:20:13 PM »
I do know A-Body LCA's are different than E-Body's? Some years of A-Bodys the sway bar tab is mounted really low?

Now I am worried......I really don't want to do this job again. And I just put new torsion bars and lower ball joints in also. I would hate to have to take all of this apart again. I will call them again tomorrow and try to confirm what they sent me. No call back tonight--again!

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: CAP Auto lower control arm problems
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2011 - 09:25:40 PM »
Google A-Body lower control arms, then click images ( left side) and look through some pictures?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0