Suspension Rebuild
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Palm City FL
Suspension Rebuild
I am concidering replacing the bushings in my 86. I'd prefer delalum, but I can't locate any, so I'm goiing to use polyurethane.
Hyperflex
What I am wondering is this a job I can handle myself? I have access to a lift and a shop full of tools, but more than likely I'll be working on my own...
I can use some tips and suggestions and maybe some encouragement before I take this on.
TIA
Hyperflex
What I am wondering is this a job I can handle myself? I have access to a lift and a shop full of tools, but more than likely I'll be working on my own...
I can use some tips and suggestions and maybe some encouragement before I take this on.
TIA
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 4
From: Frostburg MD
You could do it yourself, may take a few days or one good weekend. You'll need to order the swaybar bushing separately from the kit.
Also you'll have to release the tension from both springs, so it may be a good time to install front ball joint if you need them.
Get some rubber or surgical gloves for when you go to install the bushings or grease them, they grease stuff that come with the kit is nasty sticky stuff that doesn't come off well at all.
If you are searching for Delalum bushings, I believe Global West carries them, search the archive for either delalum or Global West, I believe they ran around $400 or so.
Also you'll have to release the tension from both springs, so it may be a good time to install front ball joint if you need them.
Get some rubber or surgical gloves for when you go to install the bushings or grease them, they grease stuff that come with the kit is nasty sticky stuff that doesn't come off well at all.
If you are searching for Delalum bushings, I believe Global West carries them, search the archive for either delalum or Global West, I believe they ran around $400 or so.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Palm City FL
I do need to replace the ball joints also...
I just put it on the lift and checked it out and they look torn.
My wife basically "jumped" the car one day when a truck coming the opposite way lost something and it went right under the car bursting my oil filter and blowing out the rear tire. The car has kinda wondered ever since.
Thanks for the help... The rear looks pretty straight forward. The front end is worrying me...
I just put it on the lift and checked it out and they look torn.
My wife basically "jumped" the car one day when a truck coming the opposite way lost something and it went right under the car bursting my oil filter and blowing out the rear tire. The car has kinda wondered ever since.
Thanks for the help... The rear looks pretty straight forward. The front end is worrying me...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If go with poly bushings I suggest the black ES poly graphite. I did my sway bars and am very pleased with the result.
Installing the ES bushings it is necessary to remove some of the Al liners and in some cases the new bushings just perss into the old liners.
I only had a large C clamp and it worked very well to press in the new bushings.
Installing the ES bushings it is necessary to remove some of the Al liners and in some cases the new bushings just perss into the old liners.
I only had a large C clamp and it worked very well to press in the new bushings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Originally Posted by severe-1
The rear looks pretty straight forward. The front end is worrying me...
Measure your ride height at the 4 corners now, and after the job is done. I am curious to see how much the car comes up. Mine did inspite of the lowering kit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: sd
Here is where I got my kit from www.powerperformancemotorsports.com and it worked great! Do the work yourself and save a boatload of money. It is hard! It is dirty and it is time consuming! No doubt about it but I learned alot about my vette and I enjoyed the work. The grease that comes in the kits is and was not enough to do the bushings for me so I went and got synthetic marine grease instead. Use liberally, hell use so much that is squeezes out of the bushings when you put it back together again and wipe off the excess. No squeaks yet and I don't expect any and its been over a year. If you've got tools than you are half way there. A good bench vice, assorted sockets to use as a press, and some cold beer and you'll be done in no time. Good luck! Here is the direct links for your car:
front
rear
front
rear
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Russellville TN
St. Jude Donor '06
I'm doing this as we speak. I started with bushings and all u-joints. Oh what fun I've had since. Taking my driveshaft off was a real treat too. I purchased all my stuff from Ecklers and it seems to be real quality stuff. Since I had the rear-end out I took a good look at the ring and pinion gears. Mobil-1 Gear Lube did a great job keeping things new inside the box. I purchased my complete front-end rebuild from Ecklers also.
Be prepared for setbacks. As I found things in need of repair I did so. Finding parts for my 86 has been interesting too! If you're like me, I had to clean, polish, and paint along the way. I also made a set of plates for the c-beam attachment bolts to help stiffen the c-beam.
My new batwing bushings required me cutting out the old inner sleeves left by the old bushings.
I expected to be done in a weekend but as you can see above, it has taken me much longer.
Good luck,
Frank
Be prepared for setbacks. As I found things in need of repair I did so. Finding parts for my 86 has been interesting too! If you're like me, I had to clean, polish, and paint along the way. I also made a set of plates for the c-beam attachment bolts to help stiffen the c-beam.
My new batwing bushings required me cutting out the old inner sleeves left by the old bushings.
I expected to be done in a weekend but as you can see above, it has taken me much longer.
Good luck,
Frank
