Front end replacement?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 9
From: Houston Texas
Front end replacement?
I have an 84 vette. Was curious how difficult is it to replace the top & lower bushings on the control arms(A frames). Also going to replace both upper & lower ball joints, tie rods, & both hub bearing assemblies. I know this will probably take all weekend but was trying to get idea of time & how much of a pain in the As- is it? Thanks for anyones reply! Had corvettes shop look at it and they said could be bushings or ball joints making popping noise but front spring is fine. So found front end kit on ebay for $250. (if interested -http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/84-96-CORVETTE-FRONT-SUSPENSION-REBUILD-KIT-DELUXE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategory
Z33580QQitemZ8036997973QQrdZ1QQsspagenam eZWDVW)
Hub bearings are original so thought I do it all at once!
Z33580QQitemZ8036997973QQrdZ1QQsspagenam eZWDVW)
Hub bearings are original so thought I do it all at once!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I would be cautious of a cheap front end kit. Good ball joints will cost that much per side...
check the lower ball joint. It has a zerk fitting on it. If the fitting is low and nearly flush with the bottome of the lower control arm, it's worn out.... or nearly worn out.
Front wheel bearings are reasonably cheap on a 1984, get good ones.
check the lower ball joint. It has a zerk fitting on it. If the fitting is low and nearly flush with the bottome of the lower control arm, it's worn out.... or nearly worn out.
Front wheel bearings are reasonably cheap on a 1984, get good ones.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Cumming GA
Just finnished the front on my 84. Used a kit from PST, included ball joints, outer tie rod ends, all bushings. $269 You really need a press and because of the complexity of some of the pieces they are hard to hold. You need something to keep the ends of the upper supports apart when you press bushings out or in as you can bend them. The bottom balljoints are a bear on a press because of the shape of the lower a-frame. One of those hand presses from the auto parts loaners might work better. The top ball joints, even after you drill off the rivit tops take a lot more force than you would think to drive out the rivits. I used a grinder on all the old rubber to take off the lips before I tried pressing them out. Maybe a long weekend depending on your skill level and beer consumption. I'm now working on the rear end, seems easier
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Renton WA
PST sucks - almost killed me
I used PST. I had a set off ball joints where the ball was breaking out of the joint. "Johnson" brand back in 1992. They sent me replacements.
THEN I was off the highway about 10 miles in the middle of nowhere California. I was going about 5 mph on a dirt road (fortunately). Same thing happened. I had total disconnection from the ball breaking out of the joint. The side or the vehicle dropped and there was a grinding noise. Even ground up my control arm.
I will NEVER EVER EVER use any offshore stuff like that again. When I got home I replaced all the ball joints whether they needed it or not with TRW. Guess what? Even 8 years later the ball joints were fine.
By name brand. You could DIE
THEN I was off the highway about 10 miles in the middle of nowhere California. I was going about 5 mph on a dirt road (fortunately). Same thing happened. I had total disconnection from the ball breaking out of the joint. The side or the vehicle dropped and there was a grinding noise. Even ground up my control arm.
I will NEVER EVER EVER use any offshore stuff like that again. When I got home I replaced all the ball joints whether they needed it or not with TRW. Guess what? Even 8 years later the ball joints were fine.
By name brand. You could DIE
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: green valley az
Ball joints
Check out Ecklers and Corvette Central for prices. They seem to run about 140 for ball joints and tie rod ends. Also have various bushing kits.They sell world wide so I would think they have pretty reliable products. You can also call and talk to a tech for info and problems installing.
