I hear a clunk when I slam on the brakes on my 1963 Valiant. It's been doing this forever (yes, I know I should not have procrastinated on this), and while it has not gotten any worse, I am now going to fix it and am wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what it might be.

Thanks

It is most likely worn out suspension bushings.
Split or missing strut rod bushing will make a klunk when you hit the brakes.
Look under the front of the car for a big nut and washer, there should be a large & solid "doughnut" of hard rubber behind the washer.
DD

I'd look first to the strut rod bushings in the front. If you wait long enough on those, the frt suspension starts breaking loose!

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'70 Cuda AAR
'74 Duster 360
'79 MagnumGT
'79 Chrysler 300

Now the big question, can I still get replacement bushings if that is the problem?

Thanks for your help

Rebecca,

You can get replacement bushings at most parts stores (may have to order). Try your best to get the Moog strut rod bushings, which may be called "improved type" bushings. These are a better design than most others. Alternatively, you can order bushings in rubber or polyurethane from a suspension supply like Performance Suspension Technology or Just Suspension. Get a Mopar Action or Mopar Muscle mag and look for their ads. Poly bushings are supposed to last longer and give firmer handling, but I've never tried them.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Only problem with poly bushings is that they're known to squeak, although I've never heard anything in my neighbor's '78 Toyota Land Cruiser after he redid the suspension. Rides very nice (for a truck that stiff anyway), and seems pretty squeak free to me. I did talk him into getting greasable shackles for his springs though, so perhaps that's the big factor right there.

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

Bit of an old topic, but heres soemthing i found on my 80 318 aspen wagon. If you find when you slam the brakes, it pulls toone side, check the nuts that secure the upper A frame, i had these back off on me once, made for very dangerous driving till i got it retorqued (and aligned at the same time).