I need some steering & suspension advice....I have a 72 Satellite with the 318. I just recently bought this car and when I test drove it I noticed steering & supension was sloppy. Upon inspection everthing seemed to be tight. This is my first Mopar and not used to the characteristics of the torsion bar suspension. I read that these cars had 0 deg caster and when the suspension settled it made matters worse...I was looking at some suspension kits from JustSuspension.com, they have upper control arms with 6 deg of caster built into them. These complete rebuild kits with the upper control arms are quite pricey. I want to know if Its overkill for these complete kits with the 6 degree caster control arms or can I just replace the torsion bars and install a sway bar to get back that factory ride. I am after a good handling car and I'm not sure a factory suspension was in those days. I had also seen from Just Suspension that they offer shorter turning radius piman and idler arms.....Does anyone have any experience with them.

 

I would also like to know! I am new to the Mopar world. I bought my 74 RR and I have never got to drive it! Would new bushings and a custom coil over setup do the trick or just go all out and get a bolt in tubular front suspension set up?

 

I'm not sure about the specs on your car but to go from 0 to 6* on the caster is quite drastic if you ask me. Are you talking neg or pos caster? Do yo have manual or power steering. You want neg caster with power steering and postive caster with manual steering. The wear on your rear springs affects caster also the lower the car sits in the rear the greater the negative caster will be. I'm not sure what you mean by "sloppy". Is there a lot of play in the steering? If so you can adjust your gear box. IMO take it to an alignment shop and get there opinion.

 

I was also thinking steering box adjustment. That can make a huge difference in a "sloppy" feel where the car wanders and you need a lot of steering input. Sweeperking is right, I would take it to an alignment shop and have them look it over.

 

I'd get the kit. My 72 Sat. has had the power steering box replaced, complete PST poly graphite rebuild, new front and rear sway bars, new 440/426 leaf springs and KYB shocks replaced.
I've had 2 shops look at it and they both complained there is not enough adjustment.
It drives good in the truns but, going straight is a bit tricky.
I might look into getting that kit myself.

 

I adjusted the steering gear but still likes to wander. I plan on getting the rebuild kit when the budget allows. In the October issue of Mopar Action there is an article about steering, they suggest replacing the steering gear after 60,000-70,000 miles due to that sloppy feel. They also stated that dropping the line psi in the power steering pump will help quite a bit also, so I think I will give that a try also...

 

Check out Firm Feel they have a great suspension pieces for Mopars.They really know what they are doing on making a Mopar Handle.

http://firmfeel.com/

Also read this this will work for all B Bodies 74-79

There was a Thread at http://discomopars.com/ for suspension upgrades it covers 73-79

 

I just dropped the line psi in my power steering by changing the shim thickness in the regulator (article in MOPAR ACTION Oct issue). Made a big difference....really happy with the results and didnt cost me a dime....

 

BTW "Old Tired Rebel", thanks for the website. Firm Feel looks like they may have better deals when I'm ready to upgrade.........

 

You're Welcome, I plan to use a lot of their parts when I rebuild my suspension.