Front End Rebuild Documentation
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 231
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From: Burlington NC
Front End Rebuild Documentation
As I had indicated in an earlier post, I am rebuilding the front end on my 79'. I have tried to capture most of the process and have begun the documentation. Please take a look at the following link and let me know what you think. It is in it preliminary stages and not complete yet.
http://24.28.237.140/Corvette/Front_...20-%20Main.htm
The navigation is awkard at the moment, it can only be done from the main page, so click a link of the main page then go back and click the next, etc.
Thanks, David
http://24.28.237.140/Corvette/Front_...20-%20Main.htm
The navigation is awkard at the moment, it can only be done from the main page, so click a link of the main page then go back and click the next, etc.
Thanks, David
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: Front End Rebuild Documentation (DavidOrr)
DavidOrr: Looks very very nice in deed. I like what you've done with the documentation. Would you mind sharing that with the upcoming 1979 Corvette registry? (see my other post for details) Keep us posted! :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Front End Rebuild Documentation (DavidOrr)
I appreciate the info. I'll be doing this job (in addition to a steering rebuild) soon. What do you think of the job (labor wise) so far? What was the trickiest / most-difficult part?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
Re: Front End Rebuild Documentation (DavidOrr)
Looks familiar! :) I did this job last year. Anyway, awesome pages. I love reading stuff like this.
Anyway, something to keep in mind is that I found a number of bolts didn't stay tight after I tightened them and a couple weeks later I went over everything and retorqued them. One of my upper control arm bolts was REALLY loose. Had the same problem with rear suspension. So a note to everyone doing suspension work, please be sure to check the bolts after you put some miles on them.
good luck
-terry
Anyway, something to keep in mind is that I found a number of bolts didn't stay tight after I tightened them and a couple weeks later I went over everything and retorqued them. One of my upper control arm bolts was REALLY loose. Had the same problem with rear suspension. So a note to everyone doing suspension work, please be sure to check the bolts after you put some miles on them.
good luck
-terry
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Front End Rebuild Documentation (DavidOrr)
Very Nice job David, I'm sure it will help a lot of members. One thing I would like to add because I didn't see it was to use a support in between the control arms to prevent the press from bending them. I made one out of some electrical conduit-(EMT) I think it was 1.5" or 2" and worked well.
I wish I had your abilities with a digital camers and web knowledge! :cool:
Gary
I wish I had your abilities with a digital camers and web knowledge! :cool:
Gary
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 231
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From: Burlington NC
Re: Front End Rebuild Documentation (jerryp58)
Jerryp58,
The job is not bad, hardest part I've hit so far is the control arm bushing removal. The uppers are fairly easy, the lower was a PIA. I did not soak them first in a lubricant - I think this would have helped. They were rusted and pretty much seized to the shafts. Made it real difficult not to bend the control arm and I did bend one of them about 1/4" - but I got it bent back so we'll see.
I just reinstalled one side (under 1 hr.), peice of cake - springs went right in - no problems what so ever. Labor wise I would dedicate a weekend to it - there's nothing real tricky - just common sense. In other words don't let the spring take your head off!
I'll be doing my power steering control valve once my parts come in. I'll post that process just like I am with the front end.
Terry,
Thanks, that's good advice - I'll retorque everything a couple of weeks after completion.
The job is not bad, hardest part I've hit so far is the control arm bushing removal. The uppers are fairly easy, the lower was a PIA. I did not soak them first in a lubricant - I think this would have helped. They were rusted and pretty much seized to the shafts. Made it real difficult not to bend the control arm and I did bend one of them about 1/4" - but I got it bent back so we'll see.
I just reinstalled one side (under 1 hr.), peice of cake - springs went right in - no problems what so ever. Labor wise I would dedicate a weekend to it - there's nothing real tricky - just common sense. In other words don't let the spring take your head off!
I'll be doing my power steering control valve once my parts come in. I'll post that process just like I am with the front end.
Terry,
Thanks, that's good advice - I'll retorque everything a couple of weeks after completion.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Burlington NC
Re: Front End Rebuild Documentation (gtr1999)
gtr, thanks.
Since I'm on a budget I've got to use what I have available. So what you don't see is the picture where I used a pipe wrench to provide support for the upper control arm. The lower I did not have any problems with.
I left out the pipe wrench picture so I wouldn't seem to much like a bubba for everyone.
I still have to press the bushings on the passengers side control arm, so I'll shoot new pics showing a brace and update the pages accordingly.
Thanks for the comments and suggestion.
David
Since I'm on a budget I've got to use what I have available. So what you don't see is the picture where I used a pipe wrench to provide support for the upper control arm. The lower I did not have any problems with.
I left out the pipe wrench picture so I wouldn't seem to much like a bubba for everyone.
I still have to press the bushings on the passengers side control arm, so I'll shoot new pics showing a brace and update the pages accordingly.
Thanks for the comments and suggestion.
David
