slow vette progress
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
slow vette progress
well I have been working every chance i get wich as it turns out is never, to get my suspension overhaul completed. I bought the entire front polyurethane front rebuild kit with new upper lower ball joints inner outer tire rods with new sleeves a arm bushings idle arm from volunteer vette. I just started tearing apart the rear end i blasted the upper an lower a arms and painted them replaced the coil springs and shocks it is taking FOREVER but here are a few pics of the progress
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
the third photo is where the front trailing arm bushing is suppsoed to be that is axactly what it looked like when i removed the arm from the car explains why it felt like scary an i was unwilling to drive it lol
i also put the pictures of the new fiberglass spoilered bumper i have heard that several people do not agree with putting that bumper on my year car but i don't care i like it hoping to have the suspension done by end of january then i am gonna do the interior and in june having my father come out to california to paint it with me i am gonna start driving it like crazy as soon as the suspension is done
i also put the pictures of the new fiberglass spoilered bumper i have heard that several people do not agree with putting that bumper on my year car but i don't care i like it hoping to have the suspension done by end of january then i am gonna do the interior and in june having my father come out to california to paint it with me i am gonna start driving it like crazy as soon as the suspension is done
Last edited by jesse10886; Dec 16, 2011 at 05:56 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
It is very easy to get frustrated when things move slowly or cant get any time. I try to do something even if it just go out there and look at the car or parts etc. from time to time.
Keep an eye on the goal and say this is necessary and of course you will be happy that you did it yourself in the end.
Keep an eye on the goal and say this is necessary and of course you will be happy that you did it yourself in the end.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Looking good!
I went through that las winter.
Take your time, and it will turn out great.
I wish I had spent more time cleaning up my frame. I used a scraper, wire brushes, and a few paint stripper wheels, but when I was done, it still wasn't "beautiful".
By the time I got to that point, I was finished with the suspension, and I was in a hurry to put it back together.
Now it is covered with dirt and road grime, so I guess it does not matter, really.
Once you start re-assembling, it goes really fast!
You have a lot of projects going, there.
I went through that las winter.
Take your time, and it will turn out great.
I wish I had spent more time cleaning up my frame. I used a scraper, wire brushes, and a few paint stripper wheels, but when I was done, it still wasn't "beautiful".
By the time I got to that point, I was finished with the suspension, and I was in a hurry to put it back together.
Now it is covered with dirt and road grime, so I guess it does not matter, really.
Once you start re-assembling, it goes really fast!
You have a lot of projects going, there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
Yeah a few lol I finished the front suspension the rear is the main focus now getting the rear bumper replacement was just necessarie to make more room in the garage the new one was in the way now it's on the car an the old one is going on Craigslist I got that new ecklers fiberglass bumper for $100 on craigslist so I am happy with it I probly already know the answer to this question but is the rear diff rebuild necessarie I have never rebuilt one and dont know how long it will last if I don't rebuild it if it will go a few more years then I will leave it alone an deal with it then it's never gonna be a hot rod my wife is gonna drive it as well as me so is it a coin toss or are these rear diffs a solid well built machine?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
If it is not leaking, and there is no excessive play in the side yokes, leave it be. Especially don't change the fluid to anything synthetic.
Replace all the u-joints with solid Spicer ones.
I would drive it until it broke.
Replace all the u-joints with solid Spicer ones.
I would drive it until it broke.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
ok i am ordering my rear end rebuild from volunteer vette tonight polyurethane what do you guys think or what is everyones opinion of the composite rear spring is it a composite in place of a the five steel or is it just the composite with the other spings? i think i placed this question else where but my phone is a pain in the *** and wont let me find it
i also see that the composite springs come in several different lb ratings what would be ideal if your not looking for real performance i mean i want a nice ride sporty but something my wife won't run up a pole
i also see that the composite springs come in several different lb ratings what would be ideal if your not looking for real performance i mean i want a nice ride sporty but something my wife won't run up a pole
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
just got the entire rear rebuild "combo poly kit" ordered from volvette $215.00 with free shipping i thought that was good deal right!? either way im excited i need to redo the rear suspension, buy new bearings and brakes i already redid all the ujoints in the half and drive shafts my 100dollar craigslist 12 ton shop press has made its money back in savings from havin a shop do all kinds of pressing work then redo my tanny lines and exhaust what ideas, thoughts, an suggestions on exhaust do you guys have? i am thinking either borla or flow master mufflers i already have shorty headers i need new pipes from the headers back i am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak in the idea that i can soon drive it even if only around the block a couple times so close and yet soooo much cash away from the end
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Unfortunately (if you like tinkering, then it's not unfortunate), there will ALWAYS be a project to work on... Build a list of all the items that you know of that you want to refresh/rebuild/mod... Get the car is "safe" driving condition, and then drive the wheels off while occassionally marking something off the list as the budget and your spare time dictate... I only needed a power steering rebuild and new pinion seal... That turned into a frame off for the last 4 and a half months... While its been an awesome experience and know I will have a beautiful vette when done, it sure would be nice to drive this beast every once in a while...
Rogman
Rogman
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I'm right in the middle of a front suspension and steering rebuild that I started last February. My budget is blown and never enough time to work on the vette. But, when everything is back together looking clean and painted it's all worth it.