Bare frame with front suspension installed

[Gary B.]

My next project is to put the front suspension onto my bare chassis. When I do that, of course the A-arms will be will be forced to their most downward position by the coil springs. I think the only thing stopping the upper A-arm from hitting the frame is the single, pointed, rubber bumper that inserts into the top of the fame. If my A-arms stay in that position for, say, 6 months, is that rubber bumper going to be destroyed by being compressed from the force of the coil spring?


Gary

[Tom E.]

Re: Bare frame with front suspension installed

Gary,
My frame stayed that way for probably 4 months with no issues. You could leave them out and install later but you would need to either compress the springs or devise a method of jacking the LCA up while keeping the frame from moving with it.
Tom


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[Jim S.]

Re: Bare frame with front suspension installed

My next project is to put the front suspension onto my bare chassis. When I do that, of course the A-arms will be will be forced to their most downward position by the coil springs. I think the only thing stopping the upper A-arm from hitting the frame is the single, pointed, rubber bumper that inserts into the top of the fame. If my A-arms stay in that position for, say, 6 months, is that rubber bumper going to be destroyed by being compressed from the force of the coil spring?


Gary

I can't see how that would destroy the rubber bumper. Plenty of cars have been on jack stands for 6 months at a time

[Paul D.]

Re: Bare frame with front suspension installed

I wouldn't worry about the bumpers. Remember to leave bushing retainer bolts loose until after final assembly when car should be closer to normal ride height. When I built my 71 the first time before I knew better, I let a frame shop rebuild the front end when car was just a body on the frame. Within a couple years after getting it on the road, all the bushings were twisted and cracking. Chip.

[Gary B.]

Re: Bare frame with front suspension installed

Paul,

Yup. I started with the rear suspension and rear cross members and I already have a list of which bolts are final torqued and which ones a just more than finger light.

Gary