I bought a front end rebuild kit from PST for my 1980 corvette. I would like to do the work myself but I'm not confident that I can. I've done quite a bit of work on my vette myself. I am looking for someone who has performed this before to help me through the process. I am a computer professional and willing to swap work for help with the vette.

I live in the pittsburgh area. If not help, then can someone suggest a good shop to have this work done. I'd be interested in hearing your experiences with similar projects.

Thanks!
Sam

 

You can get all the help you need right here. Many of us have done it before. Also, check out many websites including those of member here including yours truly who has done this before.
http://www.corvettefaq.com

I did mine based on several articles I read in Corvette Fever (believe it or not). We can walk you through it though.

 

It's not a hard job, just a little physical.

 

I am from the Pgh area and rebuilt my front suspension 2 years ago. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of an engine rebuild and have little time for that. My jobs & teenagers activities keep me pretty busy. I haven't touch the engine block in over a month!

I'd be glad to talk you thru any steps or questions though. How mechanically inclined are you? What type of hand tools do you have?
What part of Pittsburgh are you from? I'm in the North.

I can't recommend any shops since I've done all the "Vette" work myself.
Len :yesnod:

 

I know of a shop in Bethel Park. Let me know if you want the details.

 

Thanks everyone for the quick response. I can't believe how quickly answers have come back!!

I also live in the north. McCandless Twp near Vincentian, McIntyre Square, Northway Mall.

I have a mixed set of handtools, including a torque wrench, various wrenches, sockets, etc. I've been looking to upgrade but haven't. The tools have been good enough to get me through various projects with this car. I am mechanically include enough to be able to perform basic electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repair. (My website is undergoing a restoration now or I could direct you to a list of the things I've accomplished...http://coolvettes.com/projectcar.htm takes you to a page about my car...the rest of the site is still under reconstructive surgery). I'm not a great mechanic, the hardest part in dealing with this car is the rust. Seems like every job turns into a huge project due to rust. But in the past I've replaced the shocks, sway bars, radio, front calipers, rear brake line (had to get help from a shop due to rust), the ac compressor (still has a leak...DOH!), water pump (this summer along with ac and electrical troubleshooting) and numerous other little items...geez, this car ought to be new by now but it's not... :rolleyes:

Anyway, all advice is welcomed. Thanks for the help everyone!


[Modified by sewright, 12:14 AM 9/27/2002]

 

Great! Glad to hear you're from the North too! I live right off Wildwood Road Ext. About a mile from Hoss's on RT8.

I thought the hardest & trickiest part of the rebuild was removing the coils. If the coils weren't included in the parts you purchased, I highly recommend replacing them too. You can get replacements at Advance Auto for about $50/pr. You're going to have the entire front suspension apart anyway and those springs are 20+ yrs old. I have some tools you can borrow to help your project---spring compressor and bushing remover, although I didn't use the spring compressor, it's still brand new.

It'll be a lot easier on you if your Vette isn't a daily driver. I started on my front suspension at the begining of February last year and completed work about the middle of April. I only worked on the project on weekends and usually only one of either Sat or Sun. I removed one side at a time, sanblasted the pieces, painted them with POR-15, then semi-gloss black and then reassembled. I wasn't in a hurry, which is an advantage when you've never done a job as extensive before. I took my time, posted a couple thousand questions here :lol: and it worked out great. I double & triple checked my work & torque specs.

As mentioned earlier, the forum is a great source of information. These guys are the greatest, they've saved my butt many, many times---and I'm a 'ol gear-head.

Len :chevy

 

Daily driver...haha! No, it's more like an annual driver (if I'm lucky). About 4 years ago I drove it everyday to and from work but that seems like a very long time ago...

I did purchase springs (I believe $45 bucks from carparts.com if anyone is interested). I'd rather not take stuff apart twice so, I tend to replace everything that I can get unbolted at that time. Thanks for the advice, I'll write back after I get started.

Thanks everyone.


ps> Great car, Len. I love the stripe! I was looking for a 1970 when I tripped over this car... :rolleyes: