phat87

1976 front end rebuild. Are there any opinions as to approximately how many hours to R&R the whole front suspension?

Upper and lower control arms, springs, inner and outer tie rod ends, sway bar, steering arm....what else?

I already have done the power steering pieces. Any estimates appreciated.

Gordonm

A lot depends on your skill level the tools you have and if you have a lift. I have done this many times so I can do it in hours. Most first or 2nd timers will take days. To many variables to put down a specific time.

Cool95vette

I don't know exactly how many hours but I did mine over a weekend working at a casual pace with plenty of beer breaks.

The13Bats

Fist time or 50th it never stops trying hard to kick your butt, each time finds a new way to inflict pain, it's a dirty nasty job,
I can do it in a long day ( or two ) , but takes me several days to recover...lol

phat87

Well, things sound better than I had anticipated. It will be in my friends shop. We will have all the tools and press etc. He is a very experienced mechanic, worked on several Corvettes.

I was thinking about 40 hours so I'm VERY happy to hear we might do it in 16-20 hrs.

Thanks

oldgto

Yup... a weekend.... and that`s with us taking it ALL the way down...

doorgunner

Cleaning and painting all the parts takes about 50% of the total time.....IF you have all the replacement parts in a big box on the work bench!

There's a very good thread about using a metal-cutting hole saw to remove the old control arm bushings that will save you lots of time and burned fingers! I think I posted some pics in my thread....yep............pg. 15-17

Chasing down parts at auto stores allover town can add another half-day.......like when you discover that the spindle nut has some well-worn threads and you've misplaced the bolts for the lower shock-mounts

Easy Mike

Figure three times longer than you think it's going to take.

F22

Put it up on a lift or jacks and steam clean or pressure wash BEFORE you take this one. Not having to work on it, with pounds of crud removed make it a much better experience. And if you want to make it faster, bag and tag all the fasteners as you remove them. This helps in a quick reassembly, like when the sway bar nuts, bolts and washers are right there in your hands, as you reassemble it, ditto for the shock bolts and brake calipers.

Greg1209

What parts should I have on hand to replace bushing? Ie - bushing, ball joints? What other parts would I need "while it's apart" ?

Thanks
Greg

13611

Greg... careful with that "while it's apart" thinking or the next thing you know you'll be two years into it and wondering if you're EVER going to see it with the body on it again!

phat87

Oh man! I know that one well! I've got a 1980 Camaro that went from "just the control arm bushings" to a complete restoration.

Sunstroked

If your friend has a garage with tools, a complete front end rebuild kit should be all u need. Nothing too magical on the corvette, but I would recommend a service manual for your yr car. They give u all the torque specs and reading the directions isn't always a bad thing to do.
I would probably allow a full day for the job, providing u don't get too **** on cleaning and re painting.

jr73

Vette guys cant help themselves. Oh I'm just gonna freshen up the front suspension . . .

doorgunner

Grease seals for the rotors/wheel bearing grease/cotter pins/(possibly) wheel bearings/upper ball joints/lower ball joints/shocks/(possibly) spindle nuts/tie rod ends/control arm bushings/control arm shim kit....

What did I forget?

phat87

I have an AIM for a 72. I haven't been able to find for a '76.

Thanks for all the feed back. I bought all my parts from Duntov Corvette.

madam

Did mine while the engine was out. About a full day.

Kris Tunetso

1976 AIM with Binder, right here: Corvette Central Part# 113083
Get a 74 Service manual and 76 Supplement while you're at it.
See this thread for a bigger list of books to buy.

oldgto

I refer you back to the photo I posted above.....
which started out as a simple f`king lube job!