first drive after front end rebuild
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
first drive after front end rebuild
I finished the complete rebuild of the front end suspension on my 68 convert last Saturday after dark. It rained every day for the next five days, so today was the first time I got to drive it. Previously it wandered, despite taking all of the play out of the steering box. Now- what a difference. Not quite rack and pinion quality, but precise and tight. Makes all of the work worthwhile, plus I took my time and scraped and painted everything, so it also is real purty. Now I have to do the rear suspension and body mounts. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
Ron, I began my rebuild two weeks ago. I finished the rear end in July. I found the scrapping, cleaning and painting takes more time than disassemble and reassembling. You've got me looking forward to my first drive when I'm finished.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 27
I finished the complete rebuild of the front end suspension on my 68 convert last Saturday after dark. It rained every day for the next five days, so today was the first time I got to drive it. Previously it wandered, despite taking all of the play out of the steering box. Now- what a difference. Not quite rack and pinion quality, but precise and tight. Makes all of the work worthwhile, plus I took my time and scraped and painted everything, so it also is real purty. Now I have to do the rear suspension and body mounts.
Before:
After:
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 42
From: Coldwater Mi
I JUST finished my TOTAL front end suspension rebuild, powder coated glossy black & used Grade 8 zinc dichromate yellow plated bolts/washers, w/ Bilstein's & new 550# coated coil springs [This came w/a Gymkhana suspension, so I wanted to keep all as original] & ALL MOOG ball joints, tie rod sleeves & tie rod ends & NEW bearing races & bearings [Timken, o' course!) w/ Mobil 1 Synthetic grease everywhere! (EVERYTHING except for the steering gear box & cylinder & pitman arm)....just waitin' for a good dry day to take her out for a hopeful wide-grinning experience....
Last edited by Sluefoot; Dec 5, 2015 at 08:10 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 27
I think I got mine straight off Ecklers. These springs came powder coated, and I remember they were quite abit shorter than the stock springs but they were a heavier weight. My front end sagged before, and now the front end is perked up right were it should be. I hardly noticed any difference in the firmness of the ride, as far as the springs go. I'm very happy with them, well worth the 80 bucks. My old springs were so bad they looked like they would fail at any moment.
Last edited by htown81vette; Dec 5, 2015 at 12:24 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 1,561
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Well done!
That first test drive had to put a big smile on your face and gave you a lot of satisfaction having done it yourself.
How did you figure out removing all the parts, are you (or the other posters) a mechanic or did you use the service manual or just 'go for it'?
How did you figure out removing all the parts, are you (or the other posters) a mechanic or did you use the service manual or just 'go for it'?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
There you go, very good proof that these cars can feel confident and do surprisingly well, even in the twisties! Thanks for reporting the results and yes, there is some sorting out. A good suspension shop will know what you want and adjust accordingly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 27
Yes, it puts a smile on my face EVERYtime I drive it. Well worth the effort. I did it myself. IT was fairly self explanatory really, but alot of hard work and effort, not easy. I also highly recommend powder coating the a-arms. Not exactly cheap to do that, I think it cost around $400 for everything, but I have the peace of mind that the coating is superior and will outlast paint.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 27
Thanks, and you GOT THAT RIGHT. This car was scary to drive before, darted all over the road. I hated driving it. I also replaced the rear strut arms with some aftermarket pieces, VBP I think. Then rebuilt the front. It all works together as a system on these cars.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
You're right about the scraping and painting. It seems to take forever, but I can't put new parts back on a dirty frame.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
suspension
Peterbuilt- I was actually holding my breath, hoping that all the new parts-TR ends, ball joints, A arm bushings, steering gear box, idler arm, rag joint - would cure the wandering and darting that the car had. It was dangerous to drive over 50 mph. Glad I did it. I'm not a mechanic. Spent 40 years making vaccines to protect the military from what used to be called "germ warfare". I grew up in a family where you were expected to know how to fix things. Did my first valve job on a 1955 Pontiac when I was about 14. Had British cars, so you had to know how to fix them. I just finished a 93 RX-7, with performance upgrades that make it as fast as the C6 Zo6. This C3 is still a learning experience!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 42
From: Coldwater Mi
I ordered my new 550# springs from Corvette Connection, but the tag on them says "Eckler".....they were 7/8" SHORTER than the ones that came off my '79, and they do allow the front end to sit about 3/4" lower....and that's what it needed....it was sittin' too high....Hoping the weather holds so I can take it out & see the improvement in the whole front end refurbish...I KNOW I'll be impressed...and w/ all the Black Pwdr Coated
Parts (only cost me $50 for P.C., as the place that did it also pwdr coats our products!) that are really a Glossy finish, it's neat to look at from my PIT!!...MY PIT IS 42" WIDE X 5 FT DEEP X 22 FEET LONG....ALL CONCRETE!!
Parts (only cost me $50 for P.C., as the place that did it also pwdr coats our products!) that are really a Glossy finish, it's neat to look at from my PIT!!...MY PIT IS 42" WIDE X 5 FT DEEP X 22 FEET LONG....ALL CONCRETE!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
pit
I ordered my new 550# springs from Corvette Connection, but the tag on them says "Eckler".....they were 7/8" SHORTER than the ones that came off my '79, and they do allow the front end to sit about 3/4" lower....and that's what it needed....it was sittin' too high....Hoping the weather holds so I can take it out & see the improvement in the whole front end refurbish...I KNOW I'll be impressed...and w/ all the Black Pwdr Coated
Parts (only cost me $50 for P.C., as the place that did it also pwdr coats our products!) that are really a Glossy finish, it's neat to look at from my PIT!!...MY PIT IS 42" WIDE X 5 FT DEEP X 22 FEET LONG....ALL CONCRETE!!
Parts (only cost me $50 for P.C., as the place that did it also pwdr coats our products!) that are really a Glossy finish, it's neat to look at from my PIT!!...MY PIT IS 42" WIDE X 5 FT DEEP X 22 FEET LONG....ALL CONCRETE!!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 42
From: Coldwater Mi
1st pic: Driver's Side As Viewed In Standing In My PIT Looking UP & Toward the Rear, from the front.
2nd pic: Pass. Side as viewed Standing In My PIT Looking up & forward to the front.