1968 Suspension Rebuild Difficulty???
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1968 Suspension Rebuild Difficulty???
I am picking up a 68 427 Vette Convertible and the suspension will need rebuilding. My 77 suspension rebuild cost a fortune and the mechanic mentioned that it was a bit of a headache. It is my understanding that the 68 has a different suspension.
How difficult / costly is the 68 suspension rebuild in general compared to later years?
How difficult / costly is the 68 suspension rebuild in general compared to later years?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
How difficult / costly is the 68 suspension rebuild in general compared to later years?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Thank you your replies. Was hoping it was a little easier... The car has 68k, but has been sitting. Im not 100% sure it will need a rebuild, but I am assuming because of its age... If anyone knows a reasonable mechanic is Tampa FL who will not give the run around, please let me know.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
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the upper control arm bushings are a pretty good indicator of the condition of the rubber parts in the suspension. Look at them and see if they are cracked or off center. My 76 with 87,000, only needed them and an idler arm but I replaced everything cause I was doing the work myself. Take it to a shop that rebuilds front ends and does alignments, doesnt need to be a vette shop, its only a basic chevy. they can check things like ball joint movement, upper and lower, tie rods and idler and pitman prior to doing any work. and give you an extimate prior to starting the work. These C3's are actually one of the easier front ends to rebuild. if the front end doesnt need much , the rear, being the same age may not either.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Where in Tampa are you? I just bought and am restoring/working on a '70 350/350 coupe. I'm down by Macdill AFB and the car's in Plant city at a friend's restoration shop. I may be doing a front end rebuild as well since I'm doing the borgeson conversion. PM me your contact info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,413
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From: Emerald Isle NC
Do it yourself. It isn't that hard. Lots of really helpful info on here.
I agree, it's not really any different from any GM of the era.
Some of the parts were used on '55 Belairs...
I did mine in a mini-storage with a floor jack and cordless impact driver. Take the a-arms to a shop for bushing removal/install if you or your buds don't have a press.
I found it to be a fun job. The guy that did the bushing install also verified the alignment. He's a rodder. Said my work was real good, and my eyeball alignment was spot on.
Didn't charge me for the checkout.
Carter
I agree, it's not really any different from any GM of the era.
Some of the parts were used on '55 Belairs...
I did mine in a mini-storage with a floor jack and cordless impact driver. Take the a-arms to a shop for bushing removal/install if you or your buds don't have a press.
I found it to be a fun job. The guy that did the bushing install also verified the alignment. He's a rodder. Said my work was real good, and my eyeball alignment was spot on.
Didn't charge me for the checkout.
Carter
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Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Why not drive the car the rest of the summer, then decide what it's going to need? You might find other things show up as more important than jumping into the suspension.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: some hole in the ground town- camp verde:) arizona
how much is a fortune? i rebuilt my front suspension myself. w/ blasting and powdercoating (done elsewhere) it cost well less than $400- new shocks, otherwise it was about $300.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Suspension on '63 to '82 is pretty much the same. There's no reason a '68 would cost more to do than any other year- but there again if it's going to be torn apart just to throw money at it, it's going to be an expensive venture similar to your '77.
Find out what, if anything, the car actually needs before you pull out your wallet.
Find out what, if anything, the car actually needs before you pull out your wallet.