Front End Rebuild
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Front End Rebuild
I need to replace the bushings,ball joints and tie rods on my 69. How far do I need to go. How do I tell if the A arm shafts need to be replaced? I have loooked at VBP and Van Steel kits and both look good. I you have used either do you have a preference. My Vette is a cruiser on weekends no racing and it's sure not a trailer queen.
Thanks for your help,
Jim
Thanks for your help,
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Standard rebuild should do you fine. The A Arm shafts only need to be replaced if they are rusted through or something. Do ball joints, tie rod ends, A Arm bushings and maybe the steering control valve. If its not leaking just a new boot.
For a DD thats all you need
For a DD thats all you need
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Van Steel is correct – wherever you purchase, be sure that the parts are Moog brand. We both sell Moog wear parts and they are very good.
Sincerely,
Alan G. – Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
Sincerely,
Alan G. – Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
From: Muskegon MI
You may not need new shafts, just bushings. Check your shafts for wear after removal. As for the rest of the components, you might as well replace all of the majors while you're in there. Tie rod ends & sleeves, ball joints, idler arm, a-arm bushings, swaybar endlinks and frame bushings. Check your springs too while you've got the a-arms out. http://bit.ly/2Mzq1
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
I replaced a shaft after destroying the threads, but if you don't try to press the new bushings on using the bolt, you probably won't have that issue.
Best tip that I used was to put the shafts and bushings in your freezer overnight before attempting to install them in your A-arms. That saved a half hour of pounding per a-arm.
Replacing the bushings is a non-trivial project. You would be amazed at the crap that is in the way of the A-arm mounting bolts (radiator shroud, power steering pump, etc.) I ended up removing the whole engine "while I was in there" after having already removed everything forward of the crank pulley.
Best tip that I used was to put the shafts and bushings in your freezer overnight before attempting to install them in your A-arms. That saved a half hour of pounding per a-arm.
Replacing the bushings is a non-trivial project. You would be amazed at the crap that is in the way of the A-arm mounting bolts (radiator shroud, power steering pump, etc.) I ended up removing the whole engine "while I was in there" after having already removed everything forward of the crank pulley.
