Re: Tim's '55 Patrician

Posted by Ross On 2012/3/4 8:07:22

As crude as it sounds, I recommend doing the first straightening of the bracket on the car as it is conveniently and rigidly fastened down. Have done this many times. You will need quite a good sized sledge or wood splitter to whack it back to near normal position. As the fellow who taught me said: "if you want to shape metal, use a small hammer, if you want to move metal, use a large hammer". I don't heat them as the bracket is mild steel, bends back fairly easily, and I don't need the fire liability.

If desired, you can then remove it and make other small improvements.

You will almost certainly need new outer rubbers. An important aspect of installing those spring clips is to press the stabilizer and new rubber into the arm as far as possible so the clip does not have to do it while being installed. Use an extra clamp or large vise-grip to clamp the stabilizer bar to the suspension arm right next to where you are working.