Calling Offroadkarter, and HEMI Wagon Project Log updates!

"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst) 05/09/2014 at 17:21 • Filed to: HEMIWagon

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Since your brother has a Charger R/T, I have some suspension related questions...

I need to get rid of the clunk, and I've been looking around at my options, because I think it's among one of the first things I'll do...

The question is, I know the front suspension has had work on it. I have yet to get the wheels off (I'm going to take it to a good shop by me that my family has gone to for years to rotate the contis to the back)...

Basically, despite the front passenger side already having a new upper and lower control arm, I could get a full front end kit for around $300, or I can get a full bushing set for $120. Do I wrestle the bushings out myself, or get the full kit? Sadly, the PO dropped $400 on just the one side, so I'm thinking just do the bushing kit for $120, and suffer through getting them in/out over the course of a weekend. I'm looking at a polyurethane set that's much stiffer, which this car can really use, because it's a real land yacht.

Or, more importantly, did you guys do bushings on the Charger, or just leave it? I have a friend who has a hand press I can use for this, just keep turning 'till it pops...

I'm getting all the parts together so I know what I'm ordering, and doing certain things together, so I'm only doing a couple days of work on the car, rather than a day here, waiting for more parts, and a few more days later.

I also picked a few parts definitely, so here's the spreadsheet link to check for specifics, and some new additions:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…

Insurance card finally arrived, and the HEMI Wagon passed inspection! Average MPG is also up to 19.3 after only two tanks of 93! I also read about an issue with the gas tank, and learned that the tank is now covered by an extended lifetime warranty, and if it stalls on me after a fill up, I can just mosey on over to the dealership, and demand a new one. Might mean I don't have to do the fuel pump/filter as well, so I'm definitely okay with that. I'm keeping the letter in my glovebox as it states (specific to 05/06 RTs with the 19 gal tank).

I also am glad I held off on new spark plugs. I have to pull them this weekend (even found the craftsman spark plug socket at work, so I don't have to fight with it. I'm going to pull a few of them, and check their gap and how clean they are. If they're okay, I'll leave them, but the MDS engines can have trouble with platinum or iridium plugs, so I'm inclined to stick with copper for the time being. This is a bit specific to the 05/06 5.7 HEMI, so newer models will be different.

offroadkarter > JGrabowMSt 05/09/2014 at 17:28

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many reading, such words

As far as I know his bushings have never been changed up front. However he has been through 2 or 3 sets of tie rods due to warped rotors.

When you say full front end kit, does that come with new control arms also? Do you know how many miles are on the other side?

offroadkarter > JGrabowMSt 05/09/2014 at 17:40

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I'm replying to many things here

This is the CAI my brother has, I know nothing about the K&N on these cars but I can tell you the AFE sounds pretty damn wicked

http://www.carid.com/2006-dodge-mag…

Its interesting you mention the gas tank issue because his car DOES do that. He hasn't put a full tank in the car in like 2 years at least. If they really have a lifetime warranty on the tank I'm gonna tell him to stop being a cheap ass and go get it replaced, because he didn't want to pay for a new tank.

Make sure when you get the wheels off the ground, you check to see if the balljoints, wheel hub, and tie rods are okay. If you have any wheel wobble at all going on, something needs replacing.

The Compromiser > JGrabowMSt 05/09/2014 at 17:46

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have a k n n on my 3.5. Sounds awesome. Just had both lower control arms replaced. Clunking gone. The bushings were wore out and the holes had stretched out so they did the whole thing. If the LCAs are good save the bucks and do bushings. Rougher ride but better handling.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > JGrabowMSt 05/09/2014 at 18:03

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I quit reading half way thru(too many words for me) but if you are experiencing clunking in the front end check the swaybar bushings these have been know to wear out prematurely. sometimes as early as 10000 miles (rare occasion that early tho). Ball joints and tie rods are something to keep an eye on these cars as well.

These cars are dead reliable other than the occasional front end work. My friend has a 2006 300 touring with 190000 km's(120000 miles) and has literally had to do no maintenance other than brakes and aforementioned front end work. (we did the front end 6 months ago)

I'm a former Chrysler 300 V6 and Dodge Challenger SRT8 owner myself.

JGrabowMSt > offroadkarter 05/09/2014 at 18:07

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The full front end kit is literally everything between the frame and the wheel bearing/rotor. It's basically everything with the bushings pre-installed, and ready to bolt onto the car. Since the passenger side was partially done already, I think the bushings are a safer bet, but the ball joints would be separate parts completely from that kit. Once I get the tires rotated, I'll get that sorted out, because I don't trust some of the work done, and don't know how easily the wheels will or will not come off.

About the gas tank, I know it was extended to a lifetime warranty on the Magnums. As far as the Chargers go, I think he should stop by a dealership and ask about it. The letter I found was specifically for the Magnum tank. I haven't even managed to fill it to a click yet, but I've been really close, no issues running. The idle is a tiny bit rough, I can feel it, but it's not something that worries me, I don't think it's related to the tank, I think it's that I'm not used to the 5.7 yet. The issue with the gas tank is specifically a Stant breather valve that gets either clogged, or just screwed up in general. It's not part of the fuel pump assembly, but if you were to drop the tank, it's in the same general area. Basically, gas goes down into that, where it shouldn't go, the tank can't vent properly, and that's why it stalls.

I can go for the AFE instead of the K&N, I'm not picky about brands, I just know it's a mod I'm looking to do in the future. I'm going to do the CAI and catch can at the same time, so it's an excuse to pull off the throttle plate and clean it, because at 143k, I'm sure it's pretty ugly.

I'm partially stalling for time for the federal refund, but I want to get all the parts together at once, then start tackling certain things in groups. And it keeps raining, which makes it really hard to do deal with the sunroof since I'm not in a garage at the moment.

JGrabowMSt > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 05/09/2014 at 18:12

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The swaybar end links I need to check, but the other two bushings are Moogs and fairly new, because I can see them and verify that much. I can tell some of the bushings are old and in need of replacement, so I'm going to get a "head count" on exactly which ones, then I'll decide if it's more trouble than it's worth for bushings alone, and just breaking even on a full upper/lower/knuckle replacement on both sides.

I had trouble with Moog sway bar links on my neon, do you know about those at all? They were too long on my neon and I had to go to the dealer, not sure if it was just that set or what...This weekend I'll be getting the wheels rotated (shop isn't open evenings) and I'll go from there, once I know I can get the wheels off without an impact wrench.

Then the real question is how I get the block cleaned off without doing major surgery. I don't want to rip the entire front end apart, but my options are limited for getting the salt off the engine.

Squid > JGrabowMSt 05/09/2014 at 18:25

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I have no experience with these cars, but if you decide to do poly bushings pick up a cheap press from harbor freight it will make life easier. Also don't be afraid to use fire. . . and if you go with polyurethane bushings, know the ride will be rougher and you'll want to get some zerk fittings to tap into where the bushings go so you can keep them greased up.

With the spark plugs, if you are going to pull a few, pull them all. Just because the ones you pulled look good doesn't meant the others will look the same. If the car has around 150000 miles you might as well change the plugs out to some fresh ones, especially if the motor likes the cheap copper NGK plugs that are 2 bucks a pop. You are probably better off replacing stuff that you are checking so you can get a baseline on condition and knowledge of when maintenance items were last replaced.

That's just my two cents. Take it or leave it but hopefully you can get your noises figured out.

Oh and when they have the car up in the air to rotate the tires, do a wiggle check for play and see if they will let you do a quick visual inspection. Best of luck getting your car up to tip top running order.

JGrabowMSt > offroadkarter 05/09/2014 at 19:17

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I also wanted to mention that to the best of my knowledge, the gas tank was switched to a lifetime warranty in Feb. of this year. Here's the thread I found about it.