Front Suspension Surprise! - update

[CUDA JAS]

Well, I got both upper control arms off today and found a couple of surprises.

I assumed the front suspesnion was all stock (I have owned the car since 91 and have not touched the front end), but I found Moog offset upper bushings...



So that was good, sort of, the offsets were in 3 of the 4 spots...does not seem right to me .

Well, ok no big deal.  Then I took a little closer look at the pass side UCA.  I am guessing that this may be a problem...





Thoughts??

[wiging19]

 

[Chryco Psycho]

the bushings are somewhat deteriorated but maybe not that bad & the split in the arm in not a good sign but looks like it has been there a long time & is not getting worse , I would swap it though while you have it apart

[CUDA JAS]

the bushings are somewhat deteriorated but maybe not that bad & the split in the arm in not a good sign but looks like it has been there a long time & is not getting worse , I would swap it though while you have it apart

You mean the UCA right Chryco? 

Thanks,

Jason

[74challenger03]

whats the offset bushings for?

[anlauto]

The off set bushings are a problem solver if the alignment shop can't get the desired camber/caster readings they want. Unusual, but not that uncommon. Having only three is down right weird.

The split is not really a problem unless it's bad enough to allow the bushing to spin in the control arm, which it doesn't appear to be. It looks like a factory split from the forming process.

Alan

[ChallengerHK]

Has the car ever been in a collision? I'm wondering if the offsets were put in to correct a frame rail issue.

[anlauto]

That's usually why they are used....When stock alignment specs can not be achieved....
Jason you should also poke around under the UCA mounting area for rust in the frame rail...very common on CDN cars..

[CUDA JAS]

The bushing is still tight.

The car has not been in an accident during my ownership. The car had origional paint and body panels on it when I purchased it in 91. There is still origional paint on the inner fenders. 

There is some evidence of the car bottoming out, the rad support has some damage.

This was a North Carolina car, many many years ago, I will give it a good once over for rust in the frame.  I have been over the bottom pretty good and found no rust.

Jason

[anlauto]

Well that's good news...I would worry too much about it, but I would replace ALL the bushings.....I guess the question is whether or not you put off-set bushings back in. My choice would be "yes", but I'm just a newbee here so don't take my word for it...

[CUDA JAS]

Well that's good news...I would worry too much about it, but I would replace ALL the bushings.....I guess the question is whether or not you put off-set bushings back in. My choice would be "yes", but I'm just a newbee here so don't take my word for it...

Yep that is why the UCA is off, in the process of a full suspension rebuild.  I am going with Moog offset uppers.

I was not aware any of the bushings had been replaced.

Yeah, newbie...suuuuure.

Jason

[brads70]

Well that's good news...I would worry too much about it, but I would replace ALL the bushings.....I guess the question is whether or not you put off-set bushings back in. My choice would be "yes", but I'm just a newbee here so don't take my word for it...

      ya right!

[MTS-Challenger]

I remember reading this a few months ago about the moog offset bushings, hope this helps.

If you are determined to keep the factory upper control arms, and need to get more camber, Moog makes an offset bushing to help. The offset bushing locates the center hole of the bushing off center to "move" the control arm farther, in order to gain more camber ability.

Also remember reading somewhere if you have the front bushing offset in a opposite direction to the rear bushing direction this can increase caster to having the upper ball joint in a better usable vertical position.


http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/suspension/mopp_1210_stock_suspension_upgrades/
 

[dodj]

     ya right!

 

[Changin Gears]

I'll bet that cracked when that bushing was pressed in.  Those are a little tricky to keep "square" while pressing them in and might have been crooked when driving it home. 

I would replace the control arm (b-bodies are the same).