Front supension needs rebuilding
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Miami Fl
Front supension needs rebuilding
I have looked closely at my 81 front suspension. It seems the A-Arm lower bushings are gone. Top ones appear to be fine but who knows for sure. How much should I expect to pay for a shop to change all the front suspension bushings?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Miami Fl
Thanks for the advice. I like to do my own stuff also but when it comes to removing and compressing springs, I would prefer for someone else to do it. I do not have a lift so it is quite difficult for me to spend that much time lying down...Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 1,558
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Most of the catalogs sell all the parts for 3 to 4 hundred and the labor is about the same. PG
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Warrenville IL
The quote on my '75 was $2,795 total.
Broken down like this:
$2398 = 22 HR's Labor @ $109
$199 = Front Suspension Rebuild Kit (Deluxe) from Corvette America
$81 = Front Springs
$62 = Front Shocks
$55 = Shop Supplies
--------------------
$2,795
$397 in parts & $2398 in labor.
Which is why I am doing it myself.
Broken down like this:
$2398 = 22 HR's Labor @ $109
$199 = Front Suspension Rebuild Kit (Deluxe) from Corvette America
$81 = Front Springs
$62 = Front Shocks
$55 = Shop Supplies
--------------------
$2,795
$397 in parts & $2398 in labor.
Which is why I am doing it myself.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
The quote on my '75 was $2,795 total.
Broken down like this:
$2398 = 22 HR's Labor @ $109
$199 = Front Suspension Rebuild Kit (Deluxe) from Corvette America
$81 = Front Springs
$62 = Front Shocks
$55 = Shop Supplies
--------------------
$2,795
$397 in parts & $2398 in labor.
Which is why I am doing it myself.
Broken down like this:
$2398 = 22 HR's Labor @ $109
$199 = Front Suspension Rebuild Kit (Deluxe) from Corvette America
$81 = Front Springs
$62 = Front Shocks
$55 = Shop Supplies
--------------------
$2,795
$397 in parts & $2398 in labor.
Which is why I am doing it myself.
That's way to much money and way to many hours.
We charge $400 to rebuild all 4 a-arms. Powder coat them, new bushings and new ball joints. We charge $200 labor to remove and install the a-arms. $600 plus an alignment.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
And they do a beautiful job on the rebuilds...worth driving up there to have them do the rebuild at that price!
Locally I was quoted a labor cost of ~800 to install refurbished parts. The full front end rebuild was about ~1200 if you used the shops parts. This was from a Corvette specialist shop.
Shop around and best of luck, Steve
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 2
From: McCordsville Indiana
Front Suspension Rebuild
I spent 400.00 for a complete rebuild kit and did it myself last winter,saved alot of money and was able to take my time as the weather was not Vette driving weather. Was not difficult at all! 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
IMHO, rubber is only good for rotting, deflecting and throwing off alignments. My Jeep is seven years old, and the bushings are already starting to look like crap.
Last edited by I'm Batman; Jul 24, 2007 at 06:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
After reading up a bit on poly bushings, apparently when they start squeaking thay are beginning to bind. Very important to lube the properly with a silicone, synthetic or marine grease that resists wash out. But, it's not that anything is wrong with poly.
Also, poly has a bad rap among some circles as making for a harsh ride. Don't understand this, as I've had poly for years without complaint and recommend them without hesitation to any serious driving enthusiast. You should avoid driving thru pot-holes, anyway.
Rubber bushings rot and allow suspension geometry to move all over the place. For a sports car, I cannot recommend them for anything other than a correct NCRS type resto.
Also, poly has a bad rap among some circles as making for a harsh ride. Don't understand this, as I've had poly for years without complaint and recommend them without hesitation to any serious driving enthusiast. You should avoid driving thru pot-holes, anyway.
Rubber bushings rot and allow suspension geometry to move all over the place. For a sports car, I cannot recommend them for anything other than a correct NCRS type resto.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
Rubber bushings rot and allow suspension geometry to move all over the place. For a sports car, I cannot recommend them for anything other than a correct NCRS type resto.
IMHO, rubber is only good for rotting, deflecting and throwing off alignments.
absolutely. If you're going to be that far in it, might as well make it better. I don't know of anyone that's taken their suspension apart and used rubber instead of poly. It's definately on my to-do-list.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 31
From: NJ
Now you know atleast one person...I just had the front end redone a few weeks back and went with rubber under advisement of a local, corvette only repair shop. The squeek scared me away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
POLY - Only way to go for a rebuild!!
Take a screwdriver to your existing rubber bushings and see how oil and other fluids have deteriorated the rubber. You only have to drag the edge of the screwdriver along the rubber and see it peel off. If that doesn't convince you to switch to poly, then nothing will! Proper lube and installation will ensure no squeaks.
Take a screwdriver to your existing rubber bushings and see how oil and other fluids have deteriorated the rubber. You only have to drag the edge of the screwdriver along the rubber and see it peel off. If that doesn't convince you to switch to poly, then nothing will! Proper lube and installation will ensure no squeaks.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia PA
also check with forum member speedE55 he has a few corvettes he's restoring. I'm sure he can point in the right direction down there.
you can PM him from here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...ster&t=1603055
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
I understand that you don't have a lift, but a good set of jack stands, a rented spring compressor, and you're on your way.. Shoot, if you were anywhere near me I'd do it for you for a 6pack of Newcastle! Its really not that difficult. I started mine at lunchtime and was cleaned up and finished for dinner. As for the Poly / Rubber debate- I went poly. Like others have already said, if they are installed with lots of that snotty grease, they won't squeek. There's NO WAY I would pay those prices for that job. (OK, lets be fair- maybe a 12pack of Newcastle )
)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 2
From: Visalia CA
I have been looking around for this myself. Contacted two shops here in central California and the quotes were $575 and $600 for labor and alignment. I would have to supply all the parts, but that was a complete rebuild, ball joints uppper/lower, bushings, tr ends, coils and idler arm.
Never done the job myself, but those coils are the only part that bothers me.
Never done the job myself, but those coils are the only part that bothers me.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Orange massachusettes
I put poly bushings in A-arms this past winter and replaced all front end components. Dont have any squeeks yet, but I only have about 650 miles on it so far. One area I would be carful w/is choosing your coil spring rate. I went w/ 550lb coils from VB&P. I love the way the car sits now. Not down in the weeds, but much lower than before. I have a ZZ4 and also run an aluminum radiator, aluminum water pump and headers. The ride/front end is stiff to say the least. I use a 330lb glass spring in the rear. The front pounds over any small potholes/cracks in road. The rear seems fine. I now pay more attention to what roads I drive the car on. The VB&P's 460 lb coils, even w/ a half coil cut off to lower the car, might be a better way to go for softer ride. Food for thought.