Re: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment
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Re: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment



My shop has been able to make the correct adjustments to all of my Imperials without damaging any parts. This seems to have more to do with the skill level of the shop than the age of the car. I understand that there may not be many shops in Europe that are familiar with a '60 Imperial. Still, there must be shops that specialize in front suspension work. A good shop would look over the car, determine what parts were needed, and then give you a list. They wouldn't take anything apart (a tie up their space) until you came back with what was required. I think a good shop could study the manual and figure out your car.

Unless you are inclined to want to do this yourself, I think it is worth looking for a GOOD shop that is willing to work on your car.

Paul W.


-----Original Message-----
From: Rob van der Es <R.vdes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:12 am
Subject: Re: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment



Hmmm,

 

That is indeed the last option to choose from :)

I will take care not to damage anything I promise, but then this stuff is 47 years old...

At least I hope these bolts don't break while turning them after Lord knows how many years..

 

Thanks again and lots of kuddo's to all,

 

Rob


----- Original Message -----

From: Frederick Joslin

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 2:47 AM

Subject: Re: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment




Hi Robert:

 

I was going to put this in the previous post but chose not to.

You can get new over sized bolts and drill and tap the anchors to fit the new bolts.

This is probably the last option that you want to take, but it would work.

Also, if you go this way you can use metric stuff if you want.      



----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob van der Es"
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 22:49:46 +0200


Thanks a lot Fred!,

 

But what if I strip the threads of the anchors then? I am not to worried about the bolts you see, a good hardware dealer can supply those I am sure.

 

But are those T-bar anchors still available?

Does anyone have a source in case I need them?

Ofcourse I can ask Lowell or Bob, but if I prefer new ones, are they still available ?

 

Thanks again,

 

Rob


----- Original Message -----

From: Frederick Joslin

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 5:27 PM

Subject: Re: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment




Robert:

I believe that you can fully remove the adjuster bolts and then replace them with no problem. I would apply penetrating oil and then remove them from the car. It is easier to remove them than tighten them if they are a littl fouled. Clean up the threads with solvent and a wire brush and check the condition.

 

When adjusting the height up count the number of turns it takes. If both torsion bars are in about the same condition, it should take close to the same number of turns for a level front end. You can adjust the bolts with the front end off the ground and then lower it to chech the ride height. I would suggest this since it put less stress on the bolts (and on you).

Note that you may have some "worn out" threads especially from rust, but if they are in a section of the bolt that you do not need to "bite" into for your ride height that will not matter. What you have to do is get past that section. This is not ideal, but if it is all you can do........     


 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob van der Es"
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:34:35 +0200


Hello again Joe,

Thanks for your kind suggestions!

I will certainly take care not to strip the
fine threads of the adjuster bolts and the
anchors.
I will clean them thoroughly and soak them for a while with penetrating oil.

I have had a long search for replacement bolts
and anchors but I haven't found any ..
So I hope that my adjusters are not stripped
already , causing the low front end!

Ofcourse I will have a look at the front lower
suspension arms too while I am there, just to
make sure that the bushings are still there and
in good condition.

Thanks again,

Robert
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe
Strickland"
To: "Imperial Mail List"
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 3:42 PM
Subject: IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment


Rob;

Before you begin adjusting your torsion bars,
see if you can clean the threads of the
adjusting bolts with some brake cleaner or
perhaps kerosene to get as much dirt etc. off
of the threads as possible. Use of an old
toothbrush or something similar might help.
Then use a liberal application of penetrating
oil on the adjusting bolts and levers and let
them soak for a day or so before trying to
make the adjustments. You might want to
re-apply the penetrating oil to the bolts
more than one time. It may be a real problem
if you stripped threads on the bolts and/or
the adjusting arm of the torsion bars. You
might be able to find replacements, but there
could be a long time to find replacements.

Be sure to examine the A-arm bushings for
missing chunks or completely gone bushings.
As I mentioned before when these bushings
disintegrate and fall out it allows the
associated metal parts of the A-arms and
steering elements to shift position enough
that the steering parts (especially the idler
arm and the steering pitman arm) to shift
position and get in quite a bind while
steering the car. You certainly don't want
to wind up with a broken idler arm stud or
pitman arm stud while driving down the road!
Complete loss of control might result, with a
crash into another car or into a pedestrian
or bicycle rider.

Joe S.


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Fred Joslin








Fred Joslin




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