TheSamba.com :: View topic - Front suspension like riding on solid axle

Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:27 pm

So ,like the topic says, no movement in suspension.I thought it was frozen shocks. Replaced shocks and still same problem.Removed the shocks to try to loosen whatever is frozen up. No go.Thought maybe if I drive it around until it comes loose. No again. Then I end up having big engine trouble (to me at least) . So I got sidetracked with pulling engine,etc....Not a lot of experience with king & link but if someone has had this happen to them or any comments or suggestions that would point me in right direction that would be great. thanks in advance
Tom

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:39 am

Is it stock or has it been lowered?

What is YOUR history with the car?

Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:31 pm

Its stock . I've had it maybe two years and the only maintenance I've done is greased it. Grease sometimes difficult to push in fittings for link & king pin only on passenger side.But it's locked up on both sides.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:51 pm

Has it been locked up the entire two years? Ever been hit in the front? If you jack the front do the wheels droop any?

Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:56 pm

Have you tried loosening up the link pins?-if they're too tight,the grease can't get where it's supposed to go,and if it's been that way for years,that could be what's causing the binding in the front suspension-not a whole lot else that could be causing it,actually....since you've eliminated the shocks as a possibility.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:21 pm

This just started within last month.Then I had to replace a cylinder head.So just now addressing this.Doesn't droop when jacked up .Stays locked both sides .No shocks currently on front axle.I can drive it to local convenience store and back and no change.Thanks for posting guys.Tomorrow I'll try to loosen the links and see whats what.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:36 pm

Loosen the pinch bolts that hold the link pins,
turn out the link pins a bit &.
grease the fittings for the link pins.

Turn in the link pins (not too tight)
Tighten pinch bolts....

Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:03 am

You have a serious issue somewhere.

The fact that it is both sides is a little puzzling.

It may be the bearings or mycarta bushings in the beam tubes. If you have 1 stuck on each side, regardless of which tube, that would do it. And it could even be in the top tube on one side and the lower tube on the other.

Get the front up on jack stands and pull the wheels and drums.

Then remove the 3 bolts that hold the brake backing plates on and pull them off over the spindles - no need to open the brake lines or remove other brake components.

On the driver's side pull the speedo cable out of the back of the spindle.

Next take the pinch bolts out of the trailing arms and remove the steering knuckle/link pin carriers.

Now you should have only the trailing arms sticking out of the ends of the beam tube.

Take a hold of each trailing arm end and try to move it up and down. If you are not strong enough to move them a little you can use a floor jack - just keep in mind the car is on stands, so don't jack it enough to knock it off the stands!

If the trouble was with the link pins, you should have seen some movement when you loosened the pinch bolts on the trailing arms.

But if you have stuck arms, then you know the issue is in the beam itself.

If the link pins and carriers are the trouble, you should be able to remove the link pins and shims and then clean everything up. Maybe soak the steering knuckle in solvent for a day or so.

Remove the zerk fittings and either clean them or replace them. You can get new ones pretty cheap at most auto parts stores.

After soaking, dry it and lube it up and reassemble. Things should be good to go at that point.

If the trouble is in the beam, then you will have to remove the trailing arms and probably the torsion leave stacks as well.

Remove the grub screws from the trailing arms that hold them to the leaf stack. You will should be able to simply pull the arms out. If you have a stuck one it's going to take some force. Maybe a BIG dead blow hammer.

Just keep in mind you don't want to bend the arms!

If the trouble is in the outer bearings, it should free up after you have pulled it out about an inch or so and cleared the shoulder the bearing rides on.

If the trouble is in the inner bushings, it should free up after you have pulled it out about 4 inches or so and cleared the bushing.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you find!

Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:14 pm

I'm hoping it's just the link pins.I put it on stands after work today and there is some movement on the pass. side but the driver side is locked.I loosened the pinch bolts and couldn't turn the links.So I guess I'll be learning how this comes apart on my day off.I'll keep you posted.Thanks for all input.

Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:47 am

I figured I'd not be one of those that doesn't finish up a post after they've had success.Turns out it was just my link pins needing some loosening up. I had three not so good and one that was really bad .Grease would go in the fitting but would only come out the king pin and none out the link .After loosening pinch bolts and exercising the link pin ,trying more grease ,over and over etc... until I was ready to give up. Then son of a gun I tried one more time and got lucky.Greased everything after adjusting the link pins. Put the shocks back on and it's like brand new. Man , nothing like having success with something after almost giving up .Once again thanks for all that posted. Back on the road.
Tom

Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:23 pm

Thanks for reporting what you found-you're going to enjoy the new "smooth ride",with working suspension on both ends of the car!

Tue May 01, 2012 9:05 am

Just remember as soon as you get one problem sorted out, 2 more will come along!