Rebuilding the Front End.

Go Fleiter · April 14, 2008, 12:46:52 AM

Carmen, You will need the service manual with the precise instructions, at least my 51 manual describes some verx tricky procedures. (e.g. how much to spread the control arm before trying to skrew the excentric bushing in) . Do You have one?If needed, You may look for a 1941 procedure help in this forum. Greetings! Go

Carmen · April 13, 2008, 06:31:30 AM

Thanks for the pictures. I have some parts already and plan on doing it all -at-once like you said. Carmen

mvair · April 06, 2008, 10:49:36 PM

Here are a couple of photos of '41 front end that has been rebuilt using all NOS. Hopefully, these pictures along with the illustration that was posted earlier will give you a good idea of what needs to be done. You will note there is not enough weight on the frame to compress the coil spring. That is why the upper control arm is not "floating".

One other thought. The factory sway bar links were crimped on . If you replace them, the originals need to be cut off. The replacement links have a screw plug in one end that serves the same purpose.

darren · March 31, 2008, 11:38:02 AM

:) Hi Carmen.. I own a 40 P10... and I did what you are asking... I would recommend doing it all at one time! I didn't at first and honestly doing it the first time will save time... I put in new King pins (machine shop honed recommend) New wheel bearings.. then tie rod ends .. then I put in the inner sleeves and upper kits (mine where worn egg shaped... did the outer ends of the control arms... did all that and had trouble aligning it ... so I put on new frt springs ...still alignment off pulling... Measured the rear springs and was sagging . Put on new leaf springs and realigned... Perfect ,rides straight and firm... I am using coker tires 6:00x16 original type tires. You will be doing yourself a favor if you do it all ... Some shops will tell you don't replace the springs .. ... You can check a spring by measuring.. the height (don't know the correct readdings)... But why ride on something that had all the weight on for all theses years... YOU will be surprised how high your car looks after you install new springs ...

mvair · March 25, 2008, 09:21:51 PM

The front coil springs should not need to be replaced unless they are broken or someone cut them to lower the car. Just make sure you use a spring compressor if you take them out . If you think the coil springs may not be holding the necessary weight, you can send them to a spring shop that has the proper equipment and specifications. They will put a load test on the springs and adjust them if needed.

There is spacer on the driver's side (on top of the spring-it looks like a giant washer) that is not on the passenger side. Both sides have rubber gaskets (silencers) on both the top and bottom of the spring. These are also available.

The other parts (king pin, pivot arm, bushings, etc.) are all readily available either NOS or new. The service manual has a very complete description of how to rebuild the front end.

If the rubber bumpers are bad, you can replace them with new bumbers or send the originals to Steele Rubber for revulcanization.

Carmen · March 24, 2008, 12:16:44 PM

Thanks Bob that will certainly help.

Carmen

Bob · March 24, 2008, 11:41:41 AM

Carmen,
Here is a page out of the 1936-1942 Plymouth service manual, hope it helps.
It is really a good break down of what parts you might need to replace.

If it isn't readable, I will copy it and snail mail it to you,
Bob

Go Fleiter · March 24, 2008, 08:07:01 AM

Dear Carmen,
can?t help You with a hint if to change coils. I got a complete front end rebuild kit from

Kanter, 76 Monroe Street
Boonton, NJ 07005
Phone: 973-334-9575 FAX 973-334-5423 www. kanter.com

Very nice new parts, only the 2 excentric bushings (these are to tune camber / caster ) had a too big outer diameter for my 51 upper control arm. They surely take back wrong parts, but outside US I preferred to have them adapted here - taking the old parts as prototypes to machine them down.
Greetings! Go

Carmen · March 23, 2008, 08:34:37 PM

I am in the process of buying tires and would like to rebuit the front end of my 1941 Plymouth P12. Just what parts would I need to completley rebuilt the front suspension. I know I will be replacing the all 4 shocks as well as the tie rods what else should be replaced? Should I replace the front spring coil? Should all 4 springs be replaced? IS there a list of items needed? I'm sure that I am not the first person to do this.

Thanks

Carmen