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Checking ball joint wear on a 68 AMX |
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348AMX 
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Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 4165 |
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 Topic: Checking ball joint wear on a 68 AMXPosted: Aug/26/2009 at 11:28am |
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Does the normal "test" of jacking up the front end with tires off the ground and grabbing the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock work on a trunnion suspension to check for balljoint play??? I dont have any play when I do this but wouldnt the coil spring be putting pressure on the lower control arm so that any play in the balljoint would be "taken up". I havent lubed the ball joints since the intitial install 4 years ago the passenger side boot is torn and the NOS control arm joint makes me uncomfortable...there isnt any wandering on the highway but I wonder If I should replace theme with new ones for maintanance...also want to throw some KYB shocks to help stiffin up the corners a bit....lastly how much benefit is there to subframe connectors on a 40+ year old AMX!!!?
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billd
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Forum Administrator Joined: Jun/27/2007 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 30894 |
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 12:29pm |
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That doesn't work well for most suspensions.
You need to place a wood block between the upper arms and the chassis to support the upper arms and spring. Let the suspension hang - then look for VERTICAL play as much if not more than side play. When the spring is pushing down and the lower arm is at such an angle, you are into unworn areas and can't accurately detect wear. For a car with the spring on the lower arm, you'd raise the car by the lower arm and let the wheel hang with the arm supported level, at near operating position. On upper springs, you need to keep the spring up and the arms at a near level position. It's grease-able and you have not lubed it in 4 years? AND it's got a torn boot? Replace 'em. |
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poormansMACHINE
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 12:38pm |
Can't hurt it. I'm currently building a pair for my Ambassador. |
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billd
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 12:43pm |
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Benefit depends on your torque or HP level - how much will your engine want to twist the car, but it can't hurt a thing IMO. Keeps things more rigid and in alignment.
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348AMX
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 1:37pm |
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I think I'll replace the ball joints its easy enough to do and peace of mind is priceless. The passenger side does have a riveted OE balljoint will I be able to use my dremel to grind out the rivests easily enough?
As for the subframe connectors..I didnt realise how much this old AMX flexes until I bought a 2006 WRX STI for a daily driver...so I am just a bit more concious of body twist now...so I may take a welding course at Wentworth Institute of Tech in Boston.
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poormansMACHINE
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 4:28pm |
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Dremel to cut out the rivets? Better buy about 10 more of those.
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348AMX
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 5:03pm |
Have you done this before? Is it easier to "drill" them out? I have the diamond impregnated dremel grinders and I cut through the rear leaf spring Eye bolts with that, but a drill bit may be more precise?
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Peter Marano
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Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: Kenosha WI Status: Offline Points: 1650 |
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 7:55pm |
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I have always used a chisel and a large hammer.
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poormansMACHINE
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 8:15pm |
That's what I've always used until I got lazy and bought an air chisel. |
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billd
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Posted: Aug/26/2009 at 8:17pm |
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???????????? torch! takes seconds.
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348AMX wrote: