[Amc-list] 63 American suspension

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

I've decided to try repairing the rest of the American suspension with
standard machine parts, instead of ordering OEM style replacements. Wish
me luck.

The trunnion bolt, I've found some hard 5/8-11 threaded stock. I'll cut
it to length and double-nut it at each end, and stake the outer nut for
good measure. 

My plan is to drill the front face of the upper trunnion casting for a
zerk (Frank's suggestion), and grind a shallow flat along the new bolt,
and install the bolt such that the flat faces the zerk; then I can at
least get grease in along it's length, if not all the way to the "back"
of the bolt. It's a lousy design to begin with.

The only issue is the hardness of the bolt, plus it will look ugly.
Gotta check that there's enough room of each end of the bolt with the
tire on for the double nuts. If the bolt wears too much it won't last as
long, but the bolt is not under any particular directional force.

O-rings, those are easy. Pennies each.

The lower trunnion, there's a buna "U" cup with reinforcement on the
trunnion vertical; MSC sells generic "U" cups, alas without
reinforcement, but they're cheap and I'm getting a couple different
sizes.

For the lower arm trunnion seals, I'm getting O-rings (pennies) plus
more "U" cups.

The shocks, I'm going to fabricate a simple flat plate that rests on the
top of the lower arms, and has two small ears that bolt into the
existing extra holes in the lower arm. It changes the shock geometry
slightly, more vertical, but when I get it back off the race track I'll
let ya know. Uhuh. Ship it. Then I can use a shock with studs on both
ends. The little plate will bolt onto the lower arms with no other mods.
I have the dud shocks for measurements, just gotta find the right
replacement.

Needle bearings are good, and (no) surprise, same as Ambassador's. The
thrust bearing looks good, plus I got a set, plus it's a generic part.

All good cheap Rambler Mentality.

Then the only rubber wear parts I need to buy for this suspension are
the inner arm bushings. I could make those too if necessary. I'm saving
the old parts!


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