Front Suspension started....yea
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 748
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From: Ardsley Pa
Front Suspension started....yea
The rear is done. Now for the front. I couldn't wait to get started. I'm using the VBP Grand Touring System. 300lb mono spring in the rear and 460 lb/in front springs. New larger sway bar in the front and a sway bar for the rear (never had one on the rear) KYB shocks, and poly bushing all around. The rear made a big difference. Can't wait to see what it fells like when it's done. It's going on a SB with air for your info. 
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
Oh you were smart you bought rebuild lower control arms. I bought the Van steel rebuild kit and may have underestimated what it takes to rebuild them...therefore I have put off doing the front.
Were the springs tough to get out? What method did you use? I am thinking about getting into this this weekend.
And where is Ardsley PA?
Were the springs tough to get out? What method did you use? I am thinking about getting into this this weekend.
And where is Ardsley PA?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Looking at Tony's floor, you'd think he doesn't do any work on the vette.
However, I don't see any reason to think he didn't rebuild them
himself. There are some good tricks that have been discussed
in the forum ... making the bushing replacement fairly easy.
Everything else is bolt-on. It does look like used bushing
retainers and a few bolts. I'd guess he did them himself.
Good job !! :Seeya
However, I don't see any reason to think he didn't rebuild them
himself. There are some good tricks that have been discussed
in the forum ... making the bushing replacement fairly easy.
Everything else is bolt-on. It does look like used bushing
retainers and a few bolts. I'd guess he did them himself.
Good job !! :Seeya
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
Originally Posted by NHvette
Looking at Tony's floor, you'd think he doesn't do any work on the vette.
However, I don't see any reason to think he didn't rebuild them
himself.
However, I don't see any reason to think he didn't rebuild them
himself.
Yes that is true. How tough is the ball joint replacement?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: Ardsley Pa
Originally Posted by 75rag4sp
Oh you were smart you bought rebuild lower control arms. I bought the Van steel rebuild kit and may have underestimated what it takes to rebuild them...therefore I have put off doing the front.
Were the springs tough to get out? What method did you use? I am thinking about getting into this this weekend.
And where is Ardsley PA?
Were the springs tough to get out? What method did you use? I am thinking about getting into this this weekend.
And where is Ardsley PA?
I put a chain around the spring. Put a jack under the lower control arm. Unbolted the lower control and let the jack down slow. It came out with no problems.
Ardsley is about a mile from the Fort Washington exit of the turnpike.
My floor does get dirty. I just stop and wipe it down every now and then. Just like my tools.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I installed the same setup in my front (grand touring springs plus sway bar in front and rear, poly bushings and KYB shocks). Re-building the control arms was a piece of cake compared to getting them out... I re-installed the original 9 leaf spring. I am absolutely happy with this setup, however the front springs do not lower the front as they advertised (1" shorter design...) well, mayby they sag a little over time...
I thought about upgrading my rear and installing the 330lbs spring, glad to hear that you're happy with yours... that makes me want to order the spring...
I thought about upgrading my rear and installing the 330lbs spring, glad to hear that you're happy with yours... that makes me want to order the spring...
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
however the front springs do not lower the front as they advertised (1" shorter design...) well, mayby they sag a little over time...
I thought about upgrading my rear and installing the 330lbs spring, glad to hear that you're happy with yours... that makes me want to order the spring...
I thought about upgrading my rear and installing the 330lbs spring, glad to hear that you're happy with yours... that makes me want to order the spring...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
[QUOTE=75rag4sp] I bought the Van steel rebuild kit and may have underestimated what it takes to rebuild them...therefore I have put off doing the front.
Were the springs tough to get out? What method did you use? I am thinking about getting into this this weekend.
The lower control arms are easy to rebuild once you got them out
the bolt on the passenger side rear is not easy to get to.
I took 4GB of photos during my 'restauration' just in case you want to see something before you work on it...
I used two spring compressors to get the front springs out, one inserted through the hole in the lower control arm, one on the outer diameter of the spring. The original springs were pretty long and under a lot of tension - make sure you have enough threads left on the compressors.
Were the springs tough to get out? What method did you use? I am thinking about getting into this this weekend.
The lower control arms are easy to rebuild once you got them out
the bolt on the passenger side rear is not easy to get to.I took 4GB of photos during my 'restauration' just in case you want to see something before you work on it...
I used two spring compressors to get the front springs out, one inserted through the hole in the lower control arm, one on the outer diameter of the spring. The original springs were pretty long and under a lot of tension - make sure you have enough threads left on the compressors.