Front End Rebuild
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 18
From: Travelers Rest, SC
Front End Rebuild
Well after replacing my harmonic balancer, I got a good look at my control arm bushing while working in the engine bay and the up drivers side control arm bushings have almost slid completely out of the arm and down the shaft that they are on. Looks like I've got a winter time project ahead of me! Got a few questions though:
Towards the end of the year I'll be moving from Austin to Phoenix, any harm in driving the car as is? I'd rather go through the suspension after the move and honestly, I couldn't tell that much of a difference in how it drove after noticing the bushing.
For the rebuild I plan on going with a rubber bushing kit that's available from one of the vendors that has all the bells and whistles, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. In addition to that, I'll be going with Bilstein Sport shocks since I'd prefer a firm ride. What springs do you recommend I go with to match those shocks that won't drop the ride height?
Towards the end of the year I'll be moving from Austin to Phoenix, any harm in driving the car as is? I'd rather go through the suspension after the move and honestly, I couldn't tell that much of a difference in how it drove after noticing the bushing.
For the rebuild I plan on going with a rubber bushing kit that's available from one of the vendors that has all the bells and whistles, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. In addition to that, I'll be going with Bilstein Sport shocks since I'd prefer a firm ride. What springs do you recommend I go with to match those shocks that won't drop the ride height?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 18
From: Travelers Rest, SC
Part of it is still there but it's definitely time for a rebuild. Thing is I know I could do the rebuild over the course of two weekends or so and working in the evenings during the week between them but me being me, I want to get the pieces media blaster, prime and paint them. I think I may wait until the move to AZ to rebuild it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Some free advice that's probably worth what it cost ya: Don't buy suspension wear items (bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends etc.) in a no-name kit. You want Moog components. I have had to replace a couple bushings and a ball joint from a kit that was advertised as "premium heavy-duty" parts.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,468
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
As long as both springs are the same height when out of the car, and feel similar when weight is applied, sand them and paint them and reinstall.
If you decide to get any powder coating of the control arms, etc done, go to Glendale Powder Coatings, ask for Rick. Fair prices, exc quality, fast turn around on normal colors.
Doug
If you decide to get any powder coating of the control arms, etc done, go to Glendale Powder Coatings, ask for Rick. Fair prices, exc quality, fast turn around on normal colors.
Doug
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
have your steering box rebuilt by a fellow forum member by the name of GTR????, he does a great job at a fair price!!
Also, check the brakes, wheel bearings( repack them, new seals etc) ball joints, shocks, brakes hoses etc etc!
Also, check the brakes, wheel bearings( repack them, new seals etc) ball joints, shocks, brakes hoses etc etc!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 18
From: Travelers Rest, SC
It's getting to be that time, I've got the bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, and other components purchased. Now I'm looking to purchase the other suspension items and I'm leaning towards VB&P's Street & Slalom kit. My question is should I go with a higher spring rate rear spring instead of the rear sway bar?