72 Challenger Rebuild

[Challenger RTA]

As moparlee stated, go to the steering and suspension forum and ask away by starting a topic with your steering or suspension questions. There are many here willing to help.
Terry W.

Steering / Suspension

You should start your own posting in the "steering and suspension" forum.

Steering / Suspension

 

[fasjac]

I noticed this black spot on the bulkhead connector the other day and found out it was a melted area. I split the connector and you can see what I found. I'll be doing the connector bypass on the red from the starter relay and the black to the alternator. That's where I'm at now with this car.
TW

View attachment 102648

View attachment 102649

Not uncommon at all.

 

[74stroker]

Thanks to you both..!! Will do..

 

[mrmopar340]

The only parts I reused were the lower control arm assemblies, torsion bars, strut rods and center steering link. After I found the bent tie rod end, I decided to replace most of the parts including pivot shafts, UCAs and bushings and rotors and calipers and steering gear box.. I shopped around to get the best prices. I told my grandson it doesn't do any good to go if you can't steer and stop. It takes time to get 50 years old parts separated but it is all apart on the passenger's side now and going back together. Getting all the rust removed is a hassle. Best to get it all apart, see what you have and repair or replace. Getting the lower ball joints to separate was difficult and I ruined a pickle fork (ball joint separator tool) before adding some heat to help it separate. I decided to use a vinegar/ salt bath on the parts from this side vs sandblasting to see the difference. Here's a photo of the LCA after four days in the vinegar/ salt bath. I used a pad to scuff it up for paint. Once the pivot shaft and bushing are replaced (using a press), I'll paint and reinstall. I also added a photo of the spindle after the vinegar bath. There are alot of members on here very knowledgeable about suspension on e-bodies. Just ask your questions.

Terry W.

View attachment 118439

View attachment 118441

Getting ready to do the same. Only reusing Tbars, center link , pitman and LCA's. Mine was built in Dec 72 so it needs it.

 

[terrywalker]

Passenger side nearly done. I was bored last night and went out and installed rotor with new bearings, calipers and pads. It will be great. Before and after photos.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

I've been slowed down a little on my project by my wife tackling a project in the house. She always hated the master bedroom closet in our house. She wanted a bigger one. One day, she was really bored and I asked her what she wanted to do. She mentioned moving the closet. She said she would do it herself but would need my help sometimes. I said okay. I also told her I would give the project a name: "Project Kirby". She asked why and I told he because I knew I would get "sucked" into the project. Sure enough. Well, Project Kirby is coming along and I have slowed down but not stopped on my car project. Working on the engine bay and under dash electrical harnesses again. Time consuming but necessary. All is good. I have to repair the roof of our RV trailer when the weather gets really nice. Water damage causing plywood separation, which is what I get for not covering it up the last two winters. Oh well. That will take a few days. I learned my lesson on that.
Terry W.

 

[moparlee]

I've been slowed down a little on my project by my wife tackling a project in the house. She always hated the master bedroom closet in our house. She wanted a bigger one. One day, she was really bored and I asked her what she wanted to do. She mentioned moving the closet. She said she would do it herself but would need my help sometimes. I said okay. I also told her I would give the project a name: "Project Kirby". She asked why and I told he because I knew I would get "sucked" into the project. Sure enough. Well, Project Kirby is coming along and I have slowed down but not stopped on my car project. Working on the engine bay and under dash electrical harnesses again. Time consuming but necessary. All is good. I have to repair the roof of our RV trailer when the weather gets really nice. Water damage causing plywood separation, which is what I get for not covering it up the last two winters. Oh well. That will take a few days. I learned my lesson on that.
Terry W.

I think we all understand what you are saying and know where the real priorities are.

 

[Challenger RTA]

terrywalker said: "I've been slowed down a little on my project by my wife" Wife the operative word.What a power phase!
Mid 80's funny thing the first house she wanted the closet moved and bigger.
She said I did such a good job here's a list. We don't have to pay anyone for the work. Well that list turned into an encyclopedia. Three houses and two garages later. We know how you feel, Never mind what you wanted to do.

 

[Mike73Dodge]

I didn't even start my car project until I was done with all the house remodel. Maybe that's why it sat in the garage for 25 years? Probably not the only reason.

 

[terrywalker]

Installing dash wiring back into dash frame. Had to change the melted/damaged engine side part of bulkhead connection box. Took about 45 minutes to change wiring. I'm not running the red and black ammeter wires through the bulkhead connection box as that is what caused the problems. Doing the alternator bypass around ammeter. For now, I have the red and black ammeter wires connected to one post on the ammeter. I'll run the red and black alt wires through the bulkhead separate from the plastic box.
Terry W.

 

[6PKRTSE]

Moving right along. The project looks great so far. I even like the red. My Charger is red. It grows on you.

 

[terrywalker]

Installing dash wiring back into dash frame. Had to change the melted/damaged engine side part of bulkhead connection box. Took about 45 minutes to change wiring. I'm not running the red and black ammeter wires through the bulkhead connection box as that is what caused the problems. Doing the alternator bypass around ammeter. For now, I have the red and black ammeter wires connected to one post on the ammeter. I'll run the red and black alt wires through the bulkhead separate from the plastic box.
Terry W.

View attachment 123299

View attachment 123300

View attachment 123301

I installed the dash back into the car tonight with the help of my wife and by grandson.
Terry W.

 

[Kevineng]

Painted the engine compartment in the red my grandson likes. I have my reservations with this color.
Terry W.

View attachment 112871

I love it. My 12 year old and I were just discussing the color of the engine compartment yesterday, this is great to show him. Figure we'll do the same, sheet metal red, cross member and suspension black

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I believe you will hate the KYB shocks , there are so many better options .

 

[terrywalker]

If the shocks don't cut it, they just take a few minutes to change. Thanks for the input. What do you suggest?
Terry W.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Qa1 , Bilstein

 

[carbonfiber]

Moving right along. The project looks great so far. I even like the red. My Charger is red. It grows on you.

View attachment 123404

Tough Looking Charger

 

[terrywalker]

Cleaning up the rear diff/axle housing and came across some markings not visible before cleaning.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

And test fitting brake lines.. I still need to do the fitting of the line to the rear.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

Woohoo! After almost a month of working on the brake system on and off, chasing leaks, making up some new lines and bleeding the system, I have brakes. I'll keep an eye on the system for any seeping but just about everything is new (the rear brake shoes had less than 500 miles on them so I reused them). Taking care of small leaks has occupied a lot of my time. I thought I had a leak stop and check it the next day and find a small amount of seepage (not enough to form a drop). So, I'd work that line a little more and bleed it again. Hopefully, I'm good on the brakes now. Now I can put the steering column back in, the engine bay electrical harnesses and then the engine and transmission.
Terry W.