Getting the frame and bottom of the car painted brings me to a breakthrough – I can actually start putting things back on the car! The first step is the front suspension.
The starting point is to install the bushings and ball joints in the upper A-frame and lower suspension arm. The bushings press into the upper A-frames fairly easily.
The lower suspension arm has a spindle and requires a cylinder of the correct diameter to press that bushing into place. Of course, since this is an Imperial, it requires a couple of tries to get the correct bushing.
Installing the ball joints is a “special experience”. The Chrysler ball joints are screwed in and cut their own threads. They use a special 2-9/64″ socket and require massive amounts of torque. Fortunately I now have a large vise on a workbench that is bolted to the wall. The procedure is to clamp the control arm in the vise and lock the vise down so it doesn’t rotate. The new ball joints are started carefully so that they don’t cross thread. The first few turns are done using a regular 1/2″ ratchet. After it gets too hard to turn that, bring out the 24″ ratchet. After that gets too hard to turn, it is time for the three foot 3/4″ breaker bar! Nope, not quite enough. Add the 6 foot cheater bar to the breaker bar, lean on it, and snug up the ball joint.
Actually installing the upper and lower control arms and the spindles was easy. The factory service manual has instructions for doing this – some of the suspension parts shouldn’t be tightened until the car is on the ground with full weight on the tires.
Installing the torsion bars is a bit tedious. They have to be installed through the adjusters, which are located on the rear cross member. This requires 3 hands, preferably small hands to reach into the tight space, and wrestling with blind parts and 3′ long steel rods weighing 15-20 pounds. The instructions tell you to heavily grease the fittings and to make sure you don’t mix the left and right torsion bars.
At this point you are ready install the rebuilt steering box, drag link, and tie rod ends. Of course, one part is missing… I had to send the drag link out to be rebuilt, so the suspension won’t be done until that gets back. While most suspension parts are available new, the drag link is an Imperial-only part that isn’t available and can only be rebuilt.
It feels really good to finally be making some visible progress!
Next: Stop It!