Topic: 72 springs and strut rods

[Danoh1]

I recently removed the drivers side suspension, and both strut rods from my new to me 72 Q code barn find. It's mostly original.  Appears to be 54k miles.

I soaked the springs and strut rods in a citric acid solution to remove rust. Before and after pics.  I didn't get a good pic of the strut rods.  You have to sort through the chaos of the shop to see.

March 72 build date. Springs seem to have been painted black. No evidence of the paint daubs left. I see no evidence of any painting or coating on the strut rods. They now appear smooth and silver ish. One strut rod appears to have a red paint daub on the end.  The other white.

[nham3407]

My 72 H Code I have applied the markings I deciphered from my build sheet and research of other similarly equipped vehicles for 72.  I have seen both yellow and red on strut rod ends on very correct cars.  Not knowing which is correct I elected to hold off on marking mine until I have a known example.

Build Sheet details on Suspension

Shocks
Rear Box 27: V - Violet marking
Front  Box 29: W - White marking

Springs
Rear Box 31-G  Box 32-G  Box 33-N   G - Gold Marking
Front  Box 34 - N  Box 35 - P Box 36 blank  P - Pink marking

Stabilizer Bars
Front Only  Box 38 - Y  Box 39 - Y    Y - Yellow Marking

[J_Speegle]

I recently removed the drivers side suspension, and both strut rods from my new to me 72 Q code barn find. It's mostly original.  Appears to be 54k miles. ..................
March 72 build date. ..............................

To make the observations more helpful could you include body style, options and other details that might affect the details your uncovering. Realy build date also

[Danoh1]

nham3407

Great work on your inner fender area. Mine won’t get quite that well done. But I’ll try. What did you do for the fuel and brake line clips?  I’ve seen some silver, some black. Mine were completely rusted.  They came out nice after the de rusting.

Strut ends could be red and yellow. Hard to tell.

my car is Q code, March 72 build. Fastback, Automatic, competition suspension. Power steering, AC, plane Jane interior, no fold down.  Magnums. No build sheet.

Another before pic of springs. The citric acid really did a great job. Just takes a while. I soaked the springs for 3 weeks.

[nham3407]

To be honest I cannot recall all of them.  Went back through some photos and appears most were black with some zinc dichromate (?) thrown in.  Here are some of the pictures I referenced.  If you are interested in any concourse 72 Q-Code information member C9ZX has a 72 Q auto and air he has restored very nicely.  He would be a great contact for you.

[Danoh1]

Thank you for those pics. Your car is amazing and I am very impressed with the work. Hope to see it in person some day. I had a medium lime green metallic 72 R code. It was repainted poorly, the wrong green with wonky stripes.  I painted it grabber blue.  I’m hopeful to buy it back soon. Might have to reconsider the original color now.

[nham3407]

Thank you for the kind words.  I appreciate it.  This car holds a special place for me as it was my first car I purchased at 15 years old in the early 80's.  If the lord let me hold onto it as life progressed I always planned to do a concourse restoration and I have been blessed to be able to do so.  I will be at the MCA National in Houston at the end of March if you have any plans to go there.  Probably the only show I will make this year as we are planning a move mid-year and will be very busy with all of the duties associated with that.  If I can help you anymore with pictures or questions on anything related you your 72 please do not hesitate to let me know.  I see you are also on the 7173 Forum.  It is a great group for this group of years.  I am also very active there with other fans of the 71-73 models.  Either way, glad to keep in touch with you and help out any way I can or share stories.

[Danoh1]

Excellent. I now have a reason to go to the Houston show.

Thanks.