Hotchkis Sport Suspension currently offers a wide array of parts and pieces to make your classic Mopar turn and burn with the best of them. From their Total Vehicle Systems to individual parts for the guy who wants to gradually chip away at a performance suspension system for his car, Hotchkis has you covered. Recently, they rolled out a couple of neat new components and even some new tools to help you on those annoying jobs that become exponentially more difficult without the right stuff to get the work done.
For starters, if you have ever changed the ball joints in a B-body or E-body Mopar you know how much of a pain in the neck it can be. The big socket-like tool accepts a 1/2″ drive ratchet and allows you to easily remove and install ball joints, rather than mangling your car or your hands up in the process.
Hotckis also released a cool quick ratio pitman arm that is a simple bolt on that takes the factory 16:1 cruise ship ratio and brings it all the way down to a quicker 12:1 ratio which is the same ratio used in AAR ‘Cudas and TA Challengers. As much fun as cranking the wheel around is, if you are trying to get through the cones or event just hit some fun switchbacks on a country road, you don’t want to look like the stunt drivers from Bullet in the Charger.
Lastly, a new pivot shaft kit has also been released. Worn pivot shafts cause whack handling and chances are, your 40+ year old Mopar has stock pivot shafts on it that have seen far better days. These new units are bolt ons and are also greasable for added friction reduction and protection from binding. Heck, just adding the pitman arm and the pivot shafts will take your B or E body to the next level of handling performance and driving fun in an afternoon!
Here’s the full release from Hotchkis –
Mopar Must-Haves from Hotchkis Suspension
Hotchkis continues to make Mopar suspension upgrades easier with
new installation tools and performance components
NEW MOPAR OFFERINGS:
• Dodge B/E Body Ball Joint Removal Tool
• Quick Ratio Idler and Pitman Arm Kit
• Lower Control Arm Greasable Heavy Duty Pivot Shaft and Bushing Kit
Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (March, 2012) – Mopar muscle car owners can spend less time in the garage and more time on the road thanks to expanded parts offerings from the Mopar suspension experts at Hotchkis Sport Suspension.
Hotchkis adds to its popular Total Vehicle Systems for A, B and E bodies by offering additional quick ratio idler and pitman arms, greasable heavy duty pivot shaft and bushing kits for lower control arms and, to ease ball joint installation in difficult B and E body upgrades, a specialized Dodge B/E Body Ball Joint Removal Tool.
The Hotchkis Sport Suspension Quick Ratio Idler and Pitman Arm Kit upgrades Dodge A, B or E Body cars steering to a quick, 12:1 ratio over the slower, factory 16:1 ratio. This easy bolt on upgrade brings Mopar steering up to the performance level of the legendary AAR Cuda and the TA Challengers.
Both idler and pitman arm feature forged, heat treated housings and ball studs for added strength and durability. To prevent corrosion the part is finished in a durable black e-coat finish. This is a must have upgrade for any performance car.
The Hotchkis Sport Suspension Pivot Shaft Kit reduces the worn out, sloppy lower control arm pivot shafts on any A, B or E body Mopar. Designed to be direct replacements for stock, these shafts are a greasable design which offers convenience as well as increased performance by reducing friction and suspension bind. Worn out pivot shafts can create sloppy handling and are recommended to be replaced, especially when installing new polyurethane bushings. Each kit comes complete with two greasable shafts, polyurethane bushings and grade 8 hardware.
To ease in installation during any Mopar suspension upgrade, Hotchkis recommends the Ball Joint Removal Tool, which makes installing or removing replacement ball joints a breeze on B or E Body Dodge or Plymouth. Designed to accept a standard ½” drive, this tool is a must have item for any automotive enthusiast’s tool box.
From complete suspension overhauls to simple bushing replacement, Hotchkis Sport Suspension has the components Mopar owners need to get their project cars back out on the track and show field.
About Hotchkis Performance
Founded by former professional racecar drivers and national champions, Hotchkis Performance was one of the first to design and track test performance suspension for muscle cars. Nearly two decades later, Hotchkis remains dedicated to high-quality, track-tested, suspension that is Made in the USA with domestic materials. Dare to Compare: Hotchkis offers complete bolt-on systems that are designed in-house and rigorously track tested for maximum performance, strength and value. Each system is tuned for high performance handling, a sporty yet comfortable ride and improved traction on the street and track. Don’t settle for pieced-together systems or foreign sourced parts. The Hotchkis Philosophy is simple: Buy it once, bolt it on, and have fun! To preview the entire line of Hotchkis Sport Suspension parts and components, please visit www.Hotchkis.net, email [email protected], or contact Hotchkis Performance, 8633 Sorensen Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, 877-4-NOROLL.
Pivot shaft is a non-wear item, and you are better off with the stock rubber bushings than using those poly’s that need the greasable shafts.
The long pitman arms suck without the corresponding internal stops in the steering box. The chassis will flex as the steering continues to try and turn and the spindles reach their stops.
In response to the above, although the lower control arm pivot shafts are a non-wear item, we believe there is great value in replacing old rubber pivot bushings with polyurethane. Our new bushings allow for less deflection during cornering, braking and acceleration. Because unwanted tire movement is stabilized, the vehicle becomes more responsive and less vague. The Hotchkis pivot shafts allow car owners to replace the old rusty shafts and have grease fittings for easy lubing. For the kind of driving many of our customers do, we think it’s a winning solution.
As far as pitman arm issues are concerned, quicker steering can greatly improve the quality of driving and modernize a classic Mopar on the street. Being able to turn the car with less steering wheel input makes for a more enjoyable drive. Not to mention the safety factor of allowing the driver to quickly maneuver away from hazards on the road. Chrysler designed the front spindles with steering stops for a reason. Builders concerned with the steering gear moving with respects to the k-frame often gusset or reinforce these mounting points.
Like all Hotchkis Sport Suspension products these are designed to vastly improve the Classic Muscle Car driving experience and safety. A bit of driving fun along the way doesn’t hurt either.
We appreciate your comments and would be happy to discuss this further with you any time.