A Very Chaotic Suspension Upgrade Video - How To Install Offset Control Arm Bushings In Your Mopar

[@deaddodgebrother]

This video gave me PTSD

[@butcher390]

Me too 😂

[@willythewave]

@@butcher390 Me three :)

[@pres589]

There's a lot of chaotic energy in this episode. I liked it.

[@DiecastDreamCustoms]

Starting at 23:35. My head hurts...SO BAD, now. Thank you for that. Great vidya! -Vic

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaaahaha. You’re welcome.

[@hayneshvac2]

This video was incredibly relatable...I live in Ohio, this is the norm for bolts here...salt...lol. Great video!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… it’s just not the norm around these parts. We’ve dealt with some dumb stuff, but broken cam bolts was a new one. Fun times.

[@RapperBC]

Wow, that was absolutely traumatic and simultaneously hilarious. I thought my '60 Buick's riveted passenger-side upper ball joint was a pain, but it wasn't this bad. So this video is actually highly encouraging. I also just used a manual big-ass chisel. Good thing that since then, I at least invested in an electric hammer drill (which can be set to just hammer), and some chisel attachments, so I basically now have an electric power chisel to finish the other ball joints. And A-arm bushings. But still, I shall have no lift; just floor stands. God help me.

[@jamesonpace726]

The professionalism & excellence with which you work is truly a ballet of ball joint beauty....

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry… maybe both

[@nealzimmerman620]

OK , I'm convinced, I think I will just be bringing my 68 cuda up to you guys to do my front end. And one of your miracle tunes.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That can be arranged. Haha.

[@wicked347tfs]

I rarely leave comments, usually leave that to the smart and funny crew. But if I had a dollar for every seized upper control arm bolt on a Sierra/Silverado, I’d be a hundredaire! Also my “tech tip moment” to you is, place a bar vertically up through the lower control arm hole and coil spring, lower the vehicle onto said bar holding it firmly in place whilst you jack up the control arm and securing the upper ball joint to the knuckle. This should decrease your odds of the spring playing duck duck goose with your noggin. Keep doing what you’re doing, I dig it, you and NNKH are prolly my fav two creators. And if you care, my first vehicle was a Thermoquad breathing, 4.30:1 geared, Hot for Teacher cam’d, 72 Challenger dressed with Cragar SST’s, G60’s, air shocks out back, and skinnies in the front that I bought from my dad at 14…68 Chargers are my all time favorite car, Christine and Bullit are my favorite car movies.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… I know people in crustier parts of the world are pointing and laughing right now because they’ve been there. I guess we’ve just been lucky - we usually just get the “lower quarters are made of air” rust, but not the “you’d better make it two beers” rust like this. Good tip on coil spring safety. And… yeah, that sounds amazing. My ‘73 Challenger was definitely similar in spirit to yours.

[@idaholineman5788]

Love it! I fought my bushing install years ago. Had to use some allthread with various pieces of pipe and scrap metal to press them in. Worked pretty well and only slightly bent my upper control arms in the process of learning.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s the technique we used to use. The ball joint press goes a lot faster… ideally with less bending.

[@Wayfarer001]

Your brother is just as weird as you,great addition. It works.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Seriously though 🤣 honestly I am happy to have him aboard because it helps prove that I’m not putting on some act for the camera, I’m actually just like this for some reason

[@AtZero138]

My Dart needs this upgrade, thanks for your efforts to bring and share the information, I'm daily driver 68 Dart Grandma special Slant6 to 318 swap 10 years running since swap, All push to pray Drums 5 on 4 pattern, A904 with Stock dif

[@mikedaugharty5544]

I have to admit you guys are at the top of my list for entertainment!! and Ave from Canada it takes second place.. you guys are hilarious!! you prove can have fun fixing old mopars!!! Keep up the great videos

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thanks Mike! I’m a big AvE fan myself. Just brilliant

[@staceyrenner5418]

Colin looking like ginger Thor with that sledgehammer. Great work as always guys!

[@beljames1563]

Knee surgery today so i feel your pain...literally. Another fun informative video. Thanks for the distraction. I enjoy the brotherly interaction vibe.

[@tonyb3864]

I hate working on that shit. Good job guys. Smells like VICTORY !!!

[@Cstoreri]

Been there.. done that… bought the T-shirt! Thx Jamie!

[@patrickkelly5239]

This seriously gave me flashbacks of rebuilding my Scamps front end. Absolute nightmare. Just wanna scream, throw wrenches, and curl up in ball. Gotta call my therapist again now. Thanks guys! 😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

🤣 yeah, that… thank you!

[@milokerrigan7256]

This is so good!!! pretty much an exact replay of when I did it!

[@akersjon278]

Get a classic car they said. It will be fun and relaxing to tinker with they said...😁👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Seriously though 😅

[@mokeimusic]

This is exactly how everything goes with my Barracuda!

[@shanew.williams]

Excellent "Old Mopar Real World Scenario". I'm just an Old Fart "Alignment & Brake Tech" for 27 years & your frozen/broken old Mopar suspension is more or less typical. *Tip; @8:05 is THE way to R&R ball joints, BECAUSE there's 2 types, Press In & Thread Cutting (makes it's own threads as it goes in). PS We only ever used Offset Bushings as a crutch when there's no other way to get proper Caster/Camber (usually from previous crash or worn out K-Frame). Hope this helps. Good Luck.

[@SeanJoseph-s2s]

Good content....yes it's always one step forward and a half step side ways and one or two back when a upgrade or repair is to be done.

[@richardweyland116]

Just think, if this were a Reliant Robin you'd be done by now. Glad I'm not the only one who ends up taking days to do stuff.

[@barryrussell4106]

Great video I love the mistakes I thought it only happens to me.

[@0004612]

Was any Delta 8 involved in the production of this process? Tech tips are the bonus content! Cheers!😊

[@kellismith4329]

Nothing but the best there in Washington State

[@marcbrown6391]

You guys are having too much fun.

[@richardweyland116]

I really appreciate these videos since I'm going to end up doing this. Nice camera work. Separating ball joints...that's what we had to do in automotive school. Ever see the Planet of the Apes movie with Charlton Heston? The crew gets separated when chased by "damned dirty apes" and ultimately they all get captured. Heston eventually finds one crew member named Landon and discovers he's been lobotomized. For some reason this video reminded me of that guy. And NO I'm not saying you guys act like you're lobotomized!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. I love it.

[@rockymeyers4030]

Tech tip, remove ball joint with a large pneumatic impact gun on the socket, and no matter what, leave the arm in the car!

[@p38kris]

Man, seeing these just make me want barracuda even more

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Truly one of my favorite body styles of all time

[@dantupper1784]

Mmmmm, I can almost smell the decades-old fire-roasted upper A-arm bushings...

[@Huffy_Turns_a_Wrench]

we never see you do anything?.... lol..... im telling you what.... you are my go to guy if i have mopar questions.... so keep on doing on.....

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s a comment I used to get a lot. Haha. Thanks!

[@musclecarmitch908]

Nice rebuild!👍

[@farfromdonemotors6796]

If you want a good front bumper for that Barracuda I have a nice driver quality one and It's here in Hoquiam.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes, he needs that! You said you might be able to bring it by Mainline? He’s there mon-fri. He’s even managed to drive the car over there a handful of times so far.

[@wbarney59]

Thanks Jamie

[@Huffy_Turns_a_Wrench]

Y'all seem very nice.... cool.....

[@mikedaugharty5544]

After a large long battle you gotta say thank you and that's what you did so you should pray before you do it and say you're coming apart and it will probably work for you ha ha ha

[@Eddiem1969]

Perfect video, that explane alot for me, one question, where are you buying front suspension parts? note that i have a 1966 C-body, thx in advance,

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Usually get whatever we can find on the internet. Rock Auto can be a fine source. Heck, last time I needed the offset upper control arm bushings, they came from Amazon.

[@butcher390]

Good Morning 🙏 Jamie I genuinely enjoyed your channel & appreciate your willingness too enduce self torment , for quality content . However , I'm curious 🤔 and would like your feedback Do you think , it would more beneficial too pre order upper control arms like , UM1 , QA1 StrongArms etc . With new ball joints & bushings already installed ?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Those are great. They’re also generally quite expensive - so that’s kind of up to you. At one point in life, I really thought a great handling ‘66 Charger was what I wanted, but even then I couldn’t see spending $600+ on control arms. I don’t know what these various options sell for now, but I will say - the offset bushings in stock arms have proven themselves to me again and again, and they work really well. Cheap and good is the best in my book.

[@cowthedestroyer]

Today on dead dodge garage Role playing as midwest mechanics where 2 hours into the job you wish you could go back in time and just cut everything off to begin with.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah… That. Remind me to be continually grateful for the general lack of road salt in my life.

[@gasser66]

Lots of 😂 on this one fellas. The snippet on the step ladder is the standout for me. This video also serves as a reminder that if person realizes their mistake and says "whoopsies" all is automatically forgiven.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s the theory we’ve been working under 😅

[@richardweyland116]

For some reason I'm reminded of Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future...

[@travisbeavers1203]

I kept waiting for the little dude in the corner of the screen to pop up and say "whoopsie"

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. Yep

[@JoesMoparMess]

You guys are hilarious, thanks for the video 😂

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

I’m rebuilding my whole front suspension on my 66 Cuda, I replaced the a frame bushing with centered bolt holes, how is that going to work?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The offsets give you the ability to get extra caster which can really improve the feel of the steering and help it snap back to center. The standard bushings are fine, they just don’t give you that advantage.

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

I saved Some frustration in my build by removing the shocks first (I am replacing them anyway)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… lesson learned there. The bolts usually come out more easily.

[@hayneshvac2]

If ever you get an "R" body, could you showcase the differences in front suspension between the "R" body and the "B" body. I have an "R" body that has a severe alignment issue, from what I noticed, it has a similar/same K member as the "B" body, but the upper control arms do not have camber bolts...Instead, it has like a bone mount that has slotted adjustments that have something similar to pipe wrench jaw type keepers...and the "K" member has body mount bushings. My interest is if camber bolt design is superior, and if it could be converted??? I am also interested if the QA1 front suspension system for the "B" body would fit. Pretty sure the issue is the lower control arm, but if upgrades can be done...why not. I know the lower control arm mounting holes are a regular wear point.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That sounds identical to the late B (73-79) suspension setup. You’re stuck with it… While it may be possible to bolt an earlier K frame to the car somehow, it would take a whole lot of engineering to make that work - and the upper arm mounts especially, which are part of the unibody, will present a major problem. It’s just not worth it. My ‘79 300 (B body) is a surprisingly nice handling car. It has front and rear sway bars, among other parts borrowed from police cars. There are solid aluminum or poly K frame mount bushings available to firm that up (whether they fit your R body, I don’t know.) It’s not a bad setup - just quite different than these earlier units.

[@hayneshvac2]

@@DeadDodgeGarage thank you for the reply

[@ralphnagy9261]

Just a few twerks here, a torch there, small hammer here, a larger hammer there, don't for get the chisei air tool, if all fails use a torch. Good jobs guys. I'm sure it was a lot of fun.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes - but not the kind of fun we were after 😅

[@steveash9831]

Hey Moe! Hey Larry!

[@kenjohnson3641]

Man that was painful to watch but i give it a 4 corn dawg for degree of dificulty I feel your pain n frusteration 😅

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Painful to watch?! It was friggin painful to DO! Appreciated anyway. Haha.

[@kenjohnson3641]

@@DeadDodgeGarage my pain was for you 🤣🤣🤣

[@alcyr5655]

LOL A bodies are longer than E bodies. And surprisingly a 67 Dart GT is longer than buddies 70 1/2 Camaro.

[@mikedaugharty5544]

All of my high performance dodges challengers chargers RT's they basically all had them extra sleeves on the upper control arm bushings both sides I think it's the basically kind of stabilize it a little bit so that uh under severe breaking and that they have a tendency to reinforce the control arm I always put them back on and I take and I burn my bushings out of them that way there's so much easier to work with but it does make a freaking mess and you have black soot all over go do it outside and do it under the dark of night so the neighbors don't think you're burning rubber tires just a word to the wise

[@highman9836]

More patience than I!😂

[@JimmyLoose]

Why does the car have a cat? Shouldn't the heavy drum brake assembly be supported by something other than the rubber brake hose? Or did I miss seeing some supporting bailing wire?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

A smart person probably would’ve supported it with something other than the brand new brake hose, yes… but also it can’t droop any further than that anyway. It has a cat (and a tailpipe out the wrong side) because we robbed the entire exhaust system off of my Volare in the interest of time and cheapness. We were going to delete the cat as we did it - assuming the system would need extensive modification to fit - but it magically worked… so it stays for now

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

You guys look like you are working in my shop 🤔😜🤣

[@michaelnault5905]

Wow! I need a nap :⁠-⁠)

[@Roosters_Restos]

You need a real torch so your can do things and rusty stuff comes apart easier. Heat is a beautiful thing when used correctly. And remember hot bolts leave tattoos ask me how i know.😊

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have a real torch, but I am hesitant to use it for things like this. The small one usually does what I need… usually…

[@DamnItBoyGarage]

Damn It Boy... Been there, Done that 🤬

[@rich_mc]

How'd you get it done so fast? I think it took me like 2 months to get the tubular ones in mine...😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well, despite present appearances, we are kind of good mechanics 😅 but we’ve definitely had them sitting in pieces for a time in the past as we got learned.

[@GarryFullerSr]

Well how about that. I'm the first. Watch your videos on my TV, and can't leave comments. Look forward to all your videos. Thanks.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you!

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Yup it ain’t always easy like the tv shows

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I don’t think it ever is… at least my battered knuckles don’t seem to think so.

[@wrenched90405]

I think I’m going to go buy a Camry now

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Almost certainly a good life move…

[@linwoodlane7006]

Laughed more than I should of - i feel bad now

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

🤣 Don’t feel bad

[@bigwrenchtech]

I just got here, what did I miss?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nothing important, apparently…

[@steveash9831]

Wow! If that poor car could talk, they'd have to cover the kid's ears!

[@kellismith4329]

Install that Aframe on the other side

[@tedcorey3054]

Yikes . I'm exhausted .

[@trojan440]

Cannot understand why you had frozen bolts on a 50 year old car,WTF. Good job .

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Agreed - but we don’t usually have that problem in this area. They don’t season quite the same way. Haha.

[@codyhollinger6531]

This is what they cut out of Overhallin.

[@doublebackagain4311]

All this video was missing is Benny Hill music-

[@mikebrown4429]

I went to Rod run

[@robertheymann5906]

My mopar A body was original, worn out completely and possibly the worst handling vehicle that I have driven ever... Started with the drag link bushings then upper control arms, then completely new steering box and finally a new K member with lower control arms and new torsion bars and a big fat sway bar and koni shocks. It now almost handles as good as my completely wore out 4runner...lol I'm serious

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I find A bodies to handle quite well. Maybe yours is broken. Lol.

[@robertheymann5906]

@DeadDodgeGarage Actually I've had several miatas all road raced out, everything handles poorly after that. Love my old Plymouth, it's a 72 and on its way to becoming an autocross play toy now. Getting there

[@ramincheraghi4235]

Never saw myself to say this but don't you ever paint that car its looks cool as hell on patina

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Don’t you worry, it stays 🙂

[@kennymichaud5366]

Safety fact #1, safety glasses are your friend, Safety glasses is cheap insurance…….from having a boo boo in your eye!!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The guys used to send me in to do dirty jobs under cars because I wear eyeglasses… as if that would help at all

[@paulbrewster4819]

Mmmm .. I have heard of wd40.. I've also heard of spraying bolts nuts, etc... so they can get a really good soaking, at least a day before... Ha! Just joking of course!😂😂😂

[@rickcreel9557]

Dear lord the horrors. I am shocked and appalled lol….

[@pcbullets8726]

Wow, that was hard to watch, made me uncomfortable watching it. Because I have been thru this with bolts on a few of my cars hahaha!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Man… it was hard to do! And even harder to edit. I edited out like an entire additional hour of misery 😅

[@DalyTheThird]

😂😂😂😂. Awesome. Why are you like you are? Because… REASONS!

[@clembob8004]

Now I never want to touch that part of my car.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Me I’ll just be back at it the next day… Like an Alzheimer’s patient…

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

👍🏻💯🇦🇺⛽️

[@Legacy_Lou]

Difficulty level, 100 😤🤬😜

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Something like that… 😅

[@steveash9831]

Yikes! I ducked five times while watching this action-packed video, and cringed eight times!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Only eight?!

[@geoffdeller7747]

REMOVE THE FU$$EN SHOCK

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Pffffffffffffffffttttttttttt

[@geoffdeller7747]

@@DeadDodgeGarage HaHaHa Cunny Funts😆

[@Ross046]

That was painful.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Seriously though.

[@JoeKrizek]

I think your brother is dangerous. I did the same work on my 65 Valiant with an air impact with a lot less hassle.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I mean probably

[@darkker1532]

😂

[@stannelson2582]

Ok fear created. My 69 I guess win stay in the barn.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

What was the fear?

[@stannelson2582]

@@DeadDodgeGarage to much to know too much to fuck up.

[@sidviscous5959]

Now we see why you never are shown actually doing anything . . . .

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Because everything goes wrong and is maddening? Lol

[@sidviscous5959]

@@DeadDodgeGarage I feel your pain. Keep up the good work.

[@Ripsaw17]

Don't you guys have a torch heat up the under the control arm a little bit sprayed down with pb blast and she'll come right out what happens when you live in the Rust belt

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Did you not see us break out the torch? Lol. I cut like an hour of footage out of this video so every step we took may not be fully evident. But I promise you, we heated the hell out of them - and emptied the PB.