Well things were going ok, until I experienced the "rusty bolt". Not any nuts, bolts. After the nut taken off, the bolt is rusted in place. One problem I had on the lower control arm was the back bolt. On driver side, it is just under the power steering pump and is a BI.... to get to. It started turning and the way it is in there, it is impossible to get a socket or wrench on. Made a discovery. Years ago, mom got me a funky adjustable wrench from Sears. It looks like a loop with an adjustable piece on the bottom. It is fairly thin and has some lower lips on it. This worked great to get under the power steering pump and hold the bolt to get the nut off. The same bolt on opposite side was rusted in place. a 4lb sledge and metal cushion could not budge it, two days of PB Blaster soaking did not work. Finally, a long dose of plummer's torch and 4lb slege did the trick. Also noted was that the uppers seem to have their bolts pressed in place in the mounting brackets all 4 of them would not budge on trying to remove. Beating and PB would not phase them. SO, just decided to remove the upper arms off the bolts. That was not so easy. Had to remove the radiator and shroud to get them off. The shroud would not come out just by taking it loose. On removing the ball joints, the lowers are easy, uppers had to grind off rivet tops, drill hole through them and then use coal chisel to pry off. Tried large flat punch to pop the out after grinding and no way. Now things are out, will update again when putting things back in.[IMG][IMG][/IMG][/IMG]

 

Looks like the beginning of a frame off restoration.

 

I just finished mine up...it's a PITA, but WELL worth the effort. Of course, now that I have a nice tight front suspension...it makes it that much more apparent that the rear spring is completely shot. Next step, new rear spring....

 

I did the rear first... Made the front seem easier for some reason. Wait till you get to the rear shock mount...

 

I rebuilt the front end in my 79 about three years ago. It was a huge improvement in handling but a major, major pain. It took about two weeks of hard labor. I'm almost finished with rebuilding the rear end, and it was much more difficult than the front. I don't think I'll ever do either again.

 

Just did my entire front suspension a few months ago. I had an aftermarket rad and fans and did not need to worry about the fan shroud. The lower control arm bolts back out, but they are tuff to get a hammer on the front side of them to back them out. Once out you can remove the lower control arms thru the side opening. Have fun getting the old bushings out. That is a tuff job as well. I had my steering box rebuilt while I was at it.

 

You are exactly where I am on mine! And yes those 4 upper bolts are pressed in, but tapping from side to side and up and down and they will wiggle out. I have the ball joints off and will get back to getting the bushings out so I can clean and repaint everything before the bushings all arive next week, Good Luck!