Rebuild Suspension ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Rebuild Suspension ?
Now that I'm ready to replace most of the power steering I'm starting to wonder if while I'm under there in the mess I should also rebuild the suspension. Can this be accomplished with basic hand tools, a spring compressor, and a vice ? I've never attempted replacing ball joints, a-arm bushings, etc. Can anyone recommend a good manual to guide me through it ? Am thinking of a basic front end rebuild kit from Ecklers.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Scott
Thanks for your thoughts,
Scott
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
go for it
i have rebuilt many front ends on many different cars and its probably one of the easier major project to do.
you should be able to do this with a good basic tool but unless the ball joints have aleady been replace, you will need to drill out the rivits, or carefully grind them off. if you want to look original you will have to take them some place to have the rivets reinstalled (unless you have a riveter). i had no problem getting the bushings out of my control arms but somethimes this can take some patients. you can put the control arm in a bench vise and use a tourch to burn the rubber bushing out and then remove the metal sleeve (i personally have not done the on the front but i had to do this on the rear). last, i did not use a spring compessor, i used a floor jack to let the spring decompress.
i hope this helps and not confuse.
you should be able to do this with a good basic tool but unless the ball joints have aleady been replace, you will need to drill out the rivits, or carefully grind them off. if you want to look original you will have to take them some place to have the rivets reinstalled (unless you have a riveter). i had no problem getting the bushings out of my control arms but somethimes this can take some patients. you can put the control arm in a bench vise and use a tourch to burn the rubber bushing out and then remove the metal sleeve (i personally have not done the on the front but i had to do this on the rear). last, i did not use a spring compessor, i used a floor jack to let the spring decompress.
i hope this helps and not confuse.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,478
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
i did the front end of my 79 vette shortly after i got the car in 96, just do one side at a time. the main thing is controlling the coil spring on removal, and i had to use a rented internal spring compressor from autozone to get my new 460 springs in. this is a pretty straight forward procedure, i have the Haynes and Chilton manuals. i also used a local machine shop to presss the old bushings out and put the new poly bushings in, it doesn't cost much and the a-arms don't get all bent up.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Valparaiso IN
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