Rear suspension ride is very hard

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   When going to disconnect the Torque Links I saw strong contact between the shocks and the beautiful custom 2.5" tailpipes. In the air there appears to be an enormous amount of clearance, bur as the suspension travels it disappears fast. Removed and ovaled pipes. Repainted and hope to install and test tomorrow. 
I bet the Torque Link polyurethane bushings are binding as well. The TSM torque of 100 lb-ft is clamping them very tight. It seems like it is never just 1 thing....

Regards

Dono

Edited by DAMX - Nov/27/2021 at 5:41pm

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DAMX Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Nov/13/2017 Location: Silicon Valley Status: Offline Points: 195	Post Options Post Reply Quote DAMX Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/27/2021 at 5:34pm
	When going to disconnect the Torque Links I saw strong contact between the shocks and the beautiful custom 2.5" tailpipes. In the air there appears to be an enormous amount of clearance, bur as the suspension travels it disappears fast. Removed and ovaled pipes. Repainted and hope to install and test tomorrow. I bet the Torque Link polyurethane bushings are binding as well. The TSM torque of 100 lb-ft is clamping them very tight. It seems like it is never just 1 thing.... Regards Dono Edited by DAMX - Nov/27/2021 at 5:41pm

sweatlock Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/28/2014 Location: Largo, FL Status: Offline Points: 3314	Post Options Post Reply Quote sweatlock Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/27/2021 at 6:20pm
	Just make sure when playing with tire pressures to go by the tire manufacturer’s recommendations. You want to go by the tire spec from the tire mfr., not what you think the tire pressure should be based on bias ply specs from 50 years ago. If you’re running radials, go by the mfr.s range for tire pressure - you can go on the low end of the range, but you don’t want to go below that. Under (and over) inflating tires carries its own issues, and not just a softer or harder ride. Go by the tire mfr.’s recommendations. Edited by sweatlock - Nov/27/2021 at 6:22pm

farna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19676	Post Options Post Reply Quote farna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/27/2021 at 10:05pm
	Exactly! The tire pressure in the manuals is for bias ply tires, NOT RADIALS (with the exception of about mid 70s on). Radials have softer sidewalls and will need a bit more pressure than bias plys. If it rides good and tire wear is even across the tire the pressure should be good though. Keep an eye on those tires for uneven wear...
	Frank Swygert

LakesideRamblin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Dec/21/2015 Location: So. California Status: Offline Points: 2691	Post Options Post Reply Quote LakesideRamblin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/27/2021 at 10:20pm
	Dump the torque links.
	LakesideRamblin 69 Rambler 360 73 Javelin 360 "If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." T. Roosevelt

DAMX Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Nov/13/2017 Location: Silicon Valley Status: Offline Points: 195	Post Options Post Reply Quote DAMX Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/29/2021 at 2:03am
	Removed the torque links, and the ride is much much better. The rear end articulates much better allowing better traction. The links moved easily as they had a lot of lube, but the polyurethane lacks the compliance the original rubber bushings had. It was causing binding. I haven't tested for wheel hop yet, but I hope it passes the test. With a 2.87:1 and a stock torque converter should help the situation. Thanks! Regards Dono

george w Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jan/27/2013 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote george w Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/29/2021 at 10:17am
	You won't have issues if you have the torque links rebushed with the proper rubber bushings and then set up as per the shop manual.
	Long time AMC fan. Ambassador 343, AMX 390, Hornet 360, Spirit 304 and Javelin 390. All but javelin bought new.

Trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6881	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/29/2021 at 4:34pm
	Hate to disagree George, but the original rubber bushings of the 50/60's were a "cutless" rubber and much more of a bearing material then today. Cutless rubber still has many marine applications, but is quite expensive due to the amount of virgin rubber required to produce it. The rubber of today is mostly recycled and too soft for a bearing application. Urethane was developed for racing to stiffen cushions were soft rubber was used before, but it's use, expanding to a bearing material is poor. Example would be on a sway bar you want a cushion. On a trunnion you want a bearing. If you want a bearing material in this location with some compliance, acetal, UHMW, even nylon bushings would be a better choice.

Buzzman72 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/15/2009 Location: Southern IN Status: Offline Points: 2725	Post Options Post Reply Quote Buzzman72 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/29/2021 at 6:38pm
	Back in 1986 when I worked in the parts department at a Pontiac/AMC/Jeep dealership, I saw my first urethane sway bar bushings. They were replaced under warranty because they were being beaten out of shape because of their lack of compliance when compressed. Once compressed out of shape, they didn't spring back, and the sway bar rattled. It was my opinion then that the purpose of the urethane bushings was to stiffen the suspension, but only until the urethane was beaten out of shape and had to be replaced. In the years since, I've seen nothing to cause me to change my mind.
	Buzzman72...void where prohibited, your mileage may vary, objects in mirror may be closer than they appear, and alcohol may intensify any side effects.

farna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19676	Post Options Post Reply Quote farna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/30/2021 at 6:33am
	A new "rubber" bushing, even if not the original "cutless" rubber (more likely a nitrile or neoprene), will still be better than urethane, which is way to hard an non-compliant. There are some softer urethanes and similar materials as you pointed out. I don't know what the AMC vendors are using, but I at least thought they had something closer to, if not exactly like, the original bushings for torque links. As I noted earlier -- welding up the slotted holes (I'd weld grade 8 washers in place) and running the poly bushings loose (bolts with nylon lock nuts) will control axle wind-up, they just won't do anything for sway control like the originals. The original torque links replaced a rear sway bar as well as controlled axle wind-up.
	Frank Swygert

javtopgun Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Nut Joined: Aug/03/2021 Location: NV. Status: Offline Points: 342	Post Options Post Reply Quote javtopgun Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/30/2021 at 7:30pm
	I dont know i did not read all the post but dump the kyb's, hop along with monroe's rg duty ! help my jav alot !! Had kyb's on it and it was a hard ride , infact broke one at lower mount shock to attaching eylet . Monroe's were like 1/2 longer and same at full travel . the shock on driverside would reach its full travel but the suspension was not ! smoother ride tho , too !
	1968 Javelin SSt 343ci semi restomod .