1962 rambler classic suspension rebuild

I've been looking online for rebuild kits. Havent really found much that shows to be for a 62. Any leads or links would be appreciated. I initially planned on running a MII setup or possibly a c4 corvette setup, but thought id look into redoing the stock suspension first.

Also looking for a disc brake conversion kit but, again, Im not finding anything specific for the 62 classic. Is there a later model AMC that I could get the disc brake stuff from?

1962 is a unique year, there are a lot of one-year parts on that car. Otherwise it will share parts with 61, and 63-64.

The trunnion suspension has an undeserved bad reputation. There are actually three trunnion suspensions, related but different: the early 60's "big car" (YOURS mostly) (Classic, AMbassador), the 64-up AMericans and AMXs (rubber bushed upper) and then the pre-64 AMerican, a difficult system.

The upper trunnions will be very weird and strange if you are not used to them. But they will last "forever" if maintained well. Assembly instructions for the upper (I think 62 is the same as 63-64 there?)

YOu have a technical service manual, right? Absolutely necessary, not optional, not a Haynes or Motor manual, the factory manual. abebooks.com is your friend. It however will not have assembly instructions.

Is it a ball joint lower? I forget and too lazy to go out to the lab to look! The ball joints are expensive, but whatever, it's a single part that lasts 15 - 20 years, not worth all the expense and effort to go MII just to get rid of an expensive ball joint. Even new (used) trunnions would be cheaper. The big-car upper trunnion is drop-dead reliable, low friction, safe, easy to work on (see below).

BRAKES: Yes the AMC stuff fits, but the donors are scarce and all the parts are now very old and expensive. I'd strongly suggest Scarebird. His solutions are great, and twice or better the drums you have. Uses a mix of parts easily obtained at RockAuto etc.

You can probably use your drum hubs. They may need their other diameter to be reduced (turned down) to fit in the brake hats. Doesn't need to be precise, just clearance. Else you can buy hubs from Scarebird.

https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=95&product_id=55

https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=95&product_id=160

His page says "64..." but I've put them in a 61 American, a 63 American, they will be fine in your 62. He's a great guy, give him your business.

THere's nothing wrong with Mustang 2 stuff, but it's not automatically "better". Properly rebuilt, greased on schedule, modern tires and shocks, it will ride fine (and handle like a 1962 car :-). THe M2 susp won't automatically make it handle, that would require care. And making the 62 handle at least respectably with rambler parts isn't all that hard, mainly quality, care and a sway bar. And don't forget the rear.

And last, here are my assembly instructions for the big car trunnion suspensions...

https://www.sr-ix.com/AMC/Suspension-1962-1967-big/index.html

Edited by tomj - Nov/30/2020 at 11:13pm

1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com

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62RamblerCustom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Oct/25/2012 Location: West TX Status: Offline Points: 22	Post Options Post Reply Quote 62RamblerCustom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 1962 rambler classic suspension rebuild Posted: Nov/30/2020 at 8:08pm
	I've been looking online for rebuild kits. Havent really found much that shows to be for a 62. Any leads or links would be appreciated. I initially planned on running a MII setup or possibly a c4 corvette setup, but thought id look into redoing the stock suspension first. Also looking for a disc brake conversion kit but, again, Im not finding anything specific for the 62 classic. Is there a later model AMC that I could get the disc brake stuff from?

ramblinrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Dec/28/2008 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 11539	Post Options Post Reply Quote ramblinrev Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/30/2020 at 9:32pm
	A later model AMC disc brake set-up will work. Probably the most common is from a 79-83 Concord or Spirit (make sure it's not a 4 cylinder donor). For front end parts, you really need to try one of our AMC vendors: Galvin's, American Parts Depot, Kennedy, or Blaser's.
	74 Hornet Hatchback X twins (since 1977) 62 American Convertible (still worth the $50 I spent in 1973!) AMCRC #513, AMO #384 70 AMX 360 4-speed (since 1981)

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7544	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/30/2020 at 11:11pm
	1962 is a unique year, there are a lot of one-year parts on that car. Otherwise it will share parts with 61, and 63-64. The trunnion suspension has an undeserved bad reputation. There are actually three trunnion suspensions, related but different: the early 60's "big car" (YOURS mostly) (Classic, AMbassador), the 64-up AMericans and AMXs (rubber bushed upper) and then the pre-64 AMerican, a difficult system. The upper trunnions will be very weird and strange if you are not used to them. But they will last "forever" if maintained well. Assembly instructions for the upper (I think 62 is the same as 63-64 there?) YOu have a technical service manual, right? Absolutely necessary, not optional, not a Haynes or Motor manual, the factory manual. abebooks.com is your friend. It however will not have assembly instructions. Is it a ball joint lower? I forget and too lazy to go out to the lab to look! The ball joints are expensive, but whatever, it's a single part that lasts 15 - 20 years, not worth all the expense and effort to go MII just to get rid of an expensive ball joint. Even new (used) trunnions would be cheaper. The big-car upper trunnion is drop-dead reliable, low friction, safe, easy to work on (see below). BRAKES: Yes the AMC stuff fits, but the donors are scarce and all the parts are now very old and expensive. I'd strongly suggest Scarebird. His solutions are great, and twice or better the drums you have. Uses a mix of parts easily obtained at RockAuto etc. You can probably use your drum hubs. They may need their other diameter to be reduced (turned down) to fit in the brake hats. Doesn't need to be precise, just clearance. Else you can buy hubs from Scarebird. https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=95&product_id=55 https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=95&product_id=160 His page says "64..." but I've put them in a 61 American, a 63 American, they will be fine in your 62. He's a great guy, give him your business. THere's nothing wrong with Mustang 2 stuff, but it's not automatically "better". Properly rebuilt, greased on schedule, modern tires and shocks, it will ride fine (and handle like a 1962 car :-). THe M2 susp won't automatically make it handle, that would require care. And making the 62 handle at least respectably with rambler parts isn't all that hard, mainly quality, care and a sway bar. And don't forget the rear. And last, here are my assembly instructions for the big car trunnion suspensions... https://www.sr-ix.com/AMC/Suspension-1962-1967-big/index.html Edited by tomj - Nov/30/2020 at 11:13pm
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

lwd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Apr/15/2016 Location: Madison, WI Status: Offline Points: 22	Post Options Post Reply Quote lwd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Dec/04/2020 at 10:32am
	62 Classic uses a lower ball joint