65 Valiant suspension - Please Help!!!
car_kid_1
07-13-2007, 04:51 PM
I have a 1965 Plymouth Valiant, and I'm looking for front-end suspension parts. I need new torsion bars, and possibly the entire A-frame along with all the rubber peices and bolts. I've had no luck looking online or locally for parts for this car, and was wondering if anyone else had any better luck than me. My dad suggested that I find a straight axle that will fit the width of the car and slap that on the front since there's less that can go wrong with the suspension, but I have no idea what types of axles will work for this. Any help in either situation will help out a lot!
KManiac
07-13-2007, 05:40 PM
What happened to the front end of your car?!? Did you drive it over a curb and mangle up the suspension?!?
Regarding your torsion bars, unless you bent them in half, they are reusable. In fact, suspension height on this type of suspension is adjustable with a turn of the torsion bar adjusting bolt. To remove them from the car, you have to release tension by backing off the adjustment bolt before you slip them out.
Upper and lower control arms, if damaged, will need to be replaced. They interchange with same year Dodge Dart. Wrecking yards on-line are your best sourse. Maybe even Mopar clubs dedicated to A-bodies. If they aren't damaged, reuse them with new bushings.
Ball joints and rubber bushings should still be available from independent auto parts stores. Look around and don't give up with the first "NO" you hear.
The original suspension in that car, when rebuilt correctly, is far superior to any straight axle.
Let us know what you find and what you do.
Regarding your torsion bars, unless you bent them in half, they are reusable. In fact, suspension height on this type of suspension is adjustable with a turn of the torsion bar adjusting bolt. To remove them from the car, you have to release tension by backing off the adjustment bolt before you slip them out.
Upper and lower control arms, if damaged, will need to be replaced. They interchange with same year Dodge Dart. Wrecking yards on-line are your best sourse. Maybe even Mopar clubs dedicated to A-bodies. If they aren't damaged, reuse them with new bushings.
Ball joints and rubber bushings should still be available from independent auto parts stores. Look around and don't give up with the first "NO" you hear.
The original suspension in that car, when rebuilt correctly, is far superior to any straight axle.
Let us know what you find and what you do.
car_kid_1
07-14-2007, 03:27 AM
oh, it wasn't any curbs or anything... When I bought the car three years ago, the exhaust manifold was cracked in two, and the exhaust system was completely rusted out. About a month ago, I finally got around to welding the manifold back into one peice, and since then I've noticed a lot of little noises that I never could hear before going down the road. It's just very old and neglected.... the torsion bars are rusted so bad that I'm afraid to try tightening or loosening them.
Also on the suspension topic, I was wondering what type of sway bar I can fit onto this car. It currently has none whatsoever, and that has also contributed to the deterioration of the front end. I've tried talking to anyone I can think of to find one that will work, but nobody I know seems to know.
Also on the suspension topic, I was wondering what type of sway bar I can fit onto this car. It currently has none whatsoever, and that has also contributed to the deterioration of the front end. I've tried talking to anyone I can think of to find one that will work, but nobody I know seems to know.
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