LCA Bushings and Other Bushings
I know this is an old post but I thought I would chime in on my recent experience installing the greaseable LCA poly kit available through PST. First off MOPAR's torsion bar suspension is a joy to work with as far as breaking down and reassembly. The most challenging step dealing with the LCA bushing is by far is the removal of the inner sleeve of the LCA bushing assembly. It is NOT as easy as everyone is saying it is. You will see all kinds of videos on this topic including welding a washer to the top in order to press it out from the back. This was a struggle for me and I ended up using a torch and chisel to drive it out. This approach worked well for me.
When installing the new poly bushing assembly you need to press in the sleeve provided FIRST! Do not attempt to press the poly bushing into the provided sleeve and then press in the LCA. You will end up with something like this. The top of the poly bushing will not retain its shape. I had to heat it up to get it somewhat where it was originally. Ended up purchasing another bushing. The shaft and inner sleeve where not damaged.
Once the poly bushing is installed you will notice the mushroomed top will NOT seat on top of the new sleeve.
You will also notice if you press the pin in with an extra pump on the press you will end up with some of the end of the poly bushing undermining the pin. So make sure you stop once the pin is fully seated. It doesn't seem to effect anything.
Now when installing the LCA in the K-Frame I had an issue with the pin turning in the bushing when using the nut provided. I had to purchase another nut and lock washer. You can't tighten the pivot shaft nut without the shaft itself turning. I did not expect this but it is a greaseable assembly. I will attempt to torque the nut after I lower the front end. The dimples on the nut catch the threads as they should however this makes the pivot shaft turn.
Here is the installed LCA. You can see the stop of the pivot shaft against the K-Frame.
Should there be a concern that the only thing really keeping the LCA in place is the strut rod and the clip behind the torsion bar? We shall see.
I know this is an old post but I thought I would chime in on my recent experience installing the greaseable LCA poly kit available through PST. First off MOPAR's torsion bar suspension is a joy to work with as far as breaking down and reassembly. The most challenging step dealing with the LCA bushing is by far is the removal of the inner sleeve of the LCA bushing assembly. It is NOT as easy as everyone is saying it is. You will see all kinds of videos on this topic including welding a washer to the top in order to press it out from the back. This was a struggle for me and I ended up using a torch and chisel to drive it out. This approach worked well for me.
When installing the new poly bushing assembly you need to press in the sleeve provided FIRST! Do not attempt to press the poly bushing into the provided sleeve and then press in the LCA. You will end up with something like this. The top of the poly bushing will not retain its shape. I had to heat it up to get it somewhat where it was originally. Ended up purchasing another bushing. The shaft and inner sleeve where not damaged.
Once the poly bushing is installed you will notice the mushroomed top will NOT seat on top of the new sleeve.
You will also notice if you press the pin in with an extra pump on the press you will end up with some of the end of the poly bushing undermining the pin. So make sure you stop once the pin is fully seated. It doesn't seem to effect anything.
Now when installing the LCA in the K-Frame I had an issue with the pin turning in the bushing when using the nut provided. I had to purchase another nut and lock washer. You can't tighten the pivot shaft nut without the shaft itself turning. I did not expect this but it is a greaseable assembly. I will attempt to torque the nut after I lower the front end. The dimples on the nut catch the threads as they should however this makes the pivot shaft turn.
Here is the installed LCA. You can see the stop of the pivot shaft against the K-Frame.
Should there be a concern that the only thing really keeping the LCA in place is the strut rod and the clip behind the torsion bar? We shall see.