Where can I find a tutorial or video on how to dismantle the front suspension on my 72 Pantera? Would like to see how it is done before I get to it. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.
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I am going to update/replace the bushings and ball joints in the whole suspension. I have no video of the process. But isn't hard at all. Disconnect the brake calipers using wire to hold them up so they don't hang by the lines. Remove the hubs and then there are 4 nuts. 2 upper and 2 lower for the A-arms. You will also need to disconnect the steering rack ball joints. There are some older posts that show what needs to be done. Also, the web page of "The Pantera Place" has a wealth of information.
Thank you for reply, I appreciate it.
Pantera Place website has warnings on it that it is not secure.
This works for me:
Once you get your suspension apart, you might consider getting it powder coated.
It looks really good once you get it back, and it’s easy to keep it clean. Generally gloss black powder coating is not very expensive.
There’s a couple of mods you could do, like a camber lock, and increasing caster that aren’t too hard when the suspension is apart.
(NOTE: I think some of the vendor supplied camber locks are a little over the top, and can be done in a more minimalist fashion).
Are you going to get new shocks and springs?
Rocky
Thank you for the reply, Rocky. We are just in the planning stages now, and don’t really know the status of the shocks and springs, yet. The suspension looks all original, but no defects found yet. Right now, just looking at removing the shock spacers and getting an alignment. Powder coating is something we would definitely do if planning to keep it apart for a while. Right now, just looking to get it ready for upcoming driving season.
As long as you're in there that far, you might consider increasing the caster in the car the simple way- by just adding two offset poly bushings in the upper front a-arms instead of reworking the a-arms with welding. This will increase caster from the max stock setting of -2.6 degrees to about -4 degrees. This vastly corrects the handling for actual driving at low cost and simple installation. Most vendors include instructions. You will need a wheel alignment, too. The 50-yr-old stock rubber bushings likely need replacement anyway.
Thank you for the suggestion.