how hard is it to:

rebuild my calipers myself.....
install ball joints and bushings on control arms
install new front bearings......after tear down

i tore down my front suspension and steering today.....yeah

cryzko

i tried to rebuild the rear wheel setup and screwed it up and ended up sending it out and losing some money once it was all done.....

 

calipers should be in your ability especially if they have stainless steel sleeves if they don't buy new ones....or send them out.
front bearings no problem.
ball joints and a-arm bushings more complicated.... the rear end stuff is alot to handle and you did the right thing my sending it out thats definitely not the first project to tackle

 

rebuilding calipers i would buy a rebuilt set from vbp
ball joints not too diff. if riveted you need a impact hammer or cutting torch to cut rivets.
control arm bushings can be very challangeing if you dont have proper tools and knowledge.
ft. wheel bearings are not bad.

 

The only thing you will need to send out is the control arms to have the bushings pressed out/in.

You should be able to do the rest.

 

i was thinking about buying a small press from performance tool to do the c-arm bushings....... how many ton press should i get..... i don't want to hammer anything... i get a little ryled up when using a hammer.... i have a small sandblast setup so i'm blasting everything then powdercoating then bushings..... i think i can make a sleeve to press the bearings with the press.......

cryzko

 

can you weld??? my son and i made our own press last year out of channel and angle iron we had lying around. all presses are is a hydraulic jack within a square or rectangle. you may even have a square or rectangular "frame" in your garage that you can use now-- look around any heavy duty metal tables?.
harbor freight has inexpensive ones, just make sure the size is big enough dimensionally for future projects.

 

i can weld..... but, i would just buy one for a low price....... i always try to make things so it would be nice to buy some tools........www.237am.com.... that's some of my work......


cryzko

 

Changing all the caliper seals is easy..and cheap. Getting the required torque of the caliper halfs takes a large torque wrench. (130lbs ft)
I just did all four of mine and it was messy...but easy!
Eddie

 

You will need to make spacer pieces to use between the 2 control arm bushings so you don't distort the control arms during the bushing install process. You will need a crimping tool if you are using the stock rubber bushings, but if you use polyurethane bushings no crimping tool is required.

 

i was thinking i could find a small press that i could fit in the space.... i knew i needed to make a spacer (thanks for the info)...... i just want to do as much as i can myself.... i like getting dirty and learning a new trade... i have an architecture/construction background....... just getting into actually working under the car.....

cryzko

 

I can speak from some experience on the control arm bushings.
I sent my first set out to have them pressed out. Bad idea.
I made the spacers from 1 1/2" pipe - and pressed them in. Bad idea.
Both these were a waste of time, effort, and money.

Here is the best way:
Using a propane torch (outside),heat the bushings until the rubber starts
burning and bubbling out. Scrape out the burnt rubber with a small screwdriver.
Make sure to put down something to catch the molten (burning) rubber.

The uppers are easier - so start with them. The inner sleeve
should be removed from the cross shaft. Once the inner sleeve is
off, the cross shaft can be taken out of the control arm.
Now, the outer shells can be tapped out with a hammer.
A good technique that has also worked for me is a tip from Lars.
Use an air hammer with a chisel tip that has been rounded over.
Use this to get under the lip of the sleeve and work your way
around to push the sleeve out.

The lowers will need to be attacked with the air hammer as stated
above.
First, burn out all the old rubber. Break them loose by going
between the lip and the control arm with the chisel.

When you get the old bushings out, clean the bores with
sandpaper or a sanding drum. grease them up, and the new
bushing shells should tap in easily with a small hammer.
If they are too tight, clean up the bore a bit more. Just be
careful to not take too much off.

You don't need a press to re-install - unless there is something wrong.

Ditto with the front wheel bearing races. These should pop out
easily with a big punch, and tap the new ones in - keep 'em straight.

The calipers - definitely get the VBP kit (O-rings if inclined).

The ball joints: I grind the rivet head off - then punch the rivet through.

Good luck ... you can do it.