1969 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE

Typical onset: not mileage-driven, age and rust related

Symptoms: front end rides low, uneven stance, clunking over bumps, excessive body roll, tire wear on inside edges

Fix: Torsion bars themselves rarely fail but adjustment bolts seize from rust. Often need complete front rebuild: upper/lower ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar links, and sometimes the torsion bar anchors if rusted. Figure 6-8 hours labor for thorough job.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi, earlier if neglected

Symptoms: hard cold starting, backfiring through carburetor, rough idle that improves when warm, rattling from timing cover at startup, loss of power

Fix: Chrysler LA and B/RB engines use nylon-toothed cam gears that deteriorate. Replace with double-roller metal chain kit, new timing cover gasket, and water pump while you're in there. 4-5 hours labor. Critical to set ignition timing correctly after.

Estimated cost: $450-750

Typical onset: not mileage-driven, climate and storage dependent

Symptoms: visible holes in driver/passenger floor, rust perforation at rear spring hangers, soft spots when walking on floors, trunk floor rust-through near wheel wells

Fix: B-bodies rot from the inside out at rocker panels, floor pans, and rear frame rails near leaf spring mounts. Proper repair requires cutting out rust, welding in new metal. Floor pans alone: 12-16 hours. Frame rail sections: 8-12 hours each side. Not a DIY job without welding skills.

Estimated cost: $2,500-6,000

Typical onset: not mileage-driven, age and ethanol damage

Symptoms: fuel leaks from float bowl, hard starting when hot, stumble on acceleration, flooding and black smoke, high idle that won't adjust down

Fix: Ethanol fuel destroys original cork gaskets and damages pot metal castings. Full rebuild with ethanol-compatible kit required. Carter carbs need careful float adjustment. 2-3 hours for experienced tech, double that for DIY first-timer. Often cheaper to buy remanufactured unit.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Typical onset: 100,000+ mi or worn from age

Symptoms: excessive play in steering wheel (more than 2 inches), power steering fluid leaks at sector shaft seal, groaning when turning at low speed, steering wanders on highway

Fix: Factory Chrysler steering boxes can be rebuilt with sector shaft bushing kit and seals, requires removal and bench work. Adjustment procedure is critical. 3-4 hours labor. Many opt for rebuilt exchange unit. Manual boxes just need adjustment usually.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Typical onset: not mileage-driven, age related

Symptoms: rear end sags on one side, metal-on-metal clunking from rear, visible cracked spring leafs, rear axle sits off-center, shackles frozen solid with rust

Fix: Rear leaf springs crack from age and rust, especially second leaf from top. Shackle bushings turn to powder and bolts seize. Replace springs in pairs with polyurethane bushings. 3-4 hours labor if shackle bolts come out clean, add 2+ hours if you're cutting rusted hardware.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: not mileage-driven, age related

Symptoms: gauges work intermittently, ammeter shows constant discharge, headlights dim at idle, dash lights flicker, voltage regulator overcharging (above 15V)

Fix: Bulkhead connector behind firewall corrodes causing voltage drop. Alternator (if upgraded from generator) needs proper voltage regulator. Wiring harness insulation cracks and shorts. Clean all grounds. Bulkhead connector repair: 2 hours. Complete harness replacement: 12-16 hours.

Estimated cost: $200-2,500