1972 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE

Symptoms: Sagging front end on one or both sides, Clunking over bumps from lower control arm bushings, Visible rust perforation around rear torsion bar anchor crossmember, Uneven tire wear and wandering steering

Fix: The rear torsion bar crossmember rusts from the inside out—often requires welding in replacement sections or complete fabricated crossmember. Lower control arm bushings are typically shot after decades. Expect 8-12 hours labor for crossmember repair plus 4-6 hours for complete LCA rebuild with new bushings and ball joints. Welding skills required.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold startup that fades after 30-60 seconds, Retarded ignition timing that keeps drifting despite distributor adjustments, Hard starting when hot, Loss of power and poor fuel economy

Fix: Mopar timing sets from this era used nylon-coated cam gears that deteriorate, and chains stretch. Requires front accessory removal, timing cover, and complete chain/gear replacement. Use double-roller aftermarket set. 4-6 hours labor for experienced tech. The 225 Slant-Six has a much longer service life on timing components.

Estimated cost: $450-850

Symptoms: Water leaking into passenger footwell or behind kick panels, Visible rust holes where cowl meets firewall at windshield base, Cracking or flaking paint along rear frame rail to quarter panel junction, Soft or crusty metal in torque boxes behind front wheels

Fix: These rot from trapped moisture and poor factory drainage. Torque boxes are structural—must be cut out and replaced with patch panels or fabricated sections, requires welding. Cowl work involves windshield removal. 16-24 hours labor depending on extent. Parts availability is decent through aftermarket.

Estimated cost: $2,200-4,500

Symptoms: Stumbling and hesitation on acceleration, Black smoke from tailpipe under load, Difficulty maintaining idle when warm, Fuel weeping from throttle shaft or bowl gaskets

Fix: Original carbs suffer from internal corrosion, warped throttle shafts, and deteriorated accelerator pump circuits. Rebuild kits help but worn bodies often need replacement. Expect 3-4 hours for proper rebuild or 2 hours to swap on a reman unit. Holley 2300 swaps are popular and simple.

Estimated cost: $280-650

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive play at steering wheel (more than 2 inches free movement), Clunking when changing direction at low speed, Wandering on highway requiring constant correction, Visible wear in rubber coupler between column and steering box

Fix: Manual steering boxes can be adjusted but often need rebuild or replacement after decades. Power steering boxes leak and develop internal wear. Rubber steering coupler deteriorates and splits. Box rebuild 4-6 hours, coupler replacement 1.5 hours. Alignment required after box replacement.

Estimated cost: $450-1,200

Symptoms: Wipers move sluggishly or stop in mid-stroke, Wiper motor runs but blades don't move or move erratically, Grinding noise from cowl area when wipers activated, One wiper works while other is stuck

Fix: Wiper pivots corrode and bind from moisture intrusion through cowl grilles. Linkage bushings dry out. Requires cowl grille removal, pivot disassembly, cleaning, and relubrication. Sometimes pivots need complete replacement. 3-4 hours labor. Motor itself usually survives.

Estimated cost: $220-500

Symptoms: Ammeter shows constant discharge or wildly fluctuates, Burning smell from firewall area, Melted or discolored plastic at firewall bulkhead connector, Intermittent electrical failures (gauges, lights, accessories), Battery repeatedly goes dead

Fix: The single-point bulkhead connector carries all charging current and overheats with corroded terminals. Requires cleaning all terminals, sometimes complete connector replacement, and often a MAD (Modified Ammeter Delete) wiring bypass to prevent recurrence. Also check voltage regulator. 2-4 hours labor depending on extent of damage and whether bypass is installed.

Estimated cost: $180-450