New control arms

[kristoj]

I just installed new upper and lower control arms, sway bar bushings, shocks and wheel bearings over the weekend. I new it would be an improvement, but it is shocking how different it drives. It's as if I have installed power steering on the car! I used to really struggle with the steering wheel if the car was moving slow (side entry garage). Now it drives effortlessly and the ride/handling is surprisingly smooth -- it almost feels numb by comparison but the dead spot on center is now gone. My car only has 36,000 miles, so I wasn't expecting that big of a difference (how bad could the ball joints really be with that little mileage)? But it is like night and day. I guess 26 years of deterioration to the bushings takes it's toll. I did the tie rods and center link last year, so now this thing drives like new! It still doesn't have ethe precise steering of a modern, rack and pinion car, but a HUGE improvement over what it was.

It took me all day Saturday and half the day Sunday to do the job, (reinstalling the springs is not for the faint of heart), but it was pretty straight forward using the manual. All together it cost me about $300, but was worth every penny. I would highly recommend this for anyone still driving around on their original suspension. Now she's ready for the day and a half drive to FFO!

[pope]

Way to go! Iove hearing stuff like this. Make sure that you have 6.5 oz. of oil in the steering box, so it doesnt get dry.


How do you know its not 136,000? I'm just saying.

[mbouse]

alright! another one ready for the Great Cruise of '08 !!

we have 14 FLU vehicles signed up as of right now. and another four sitting on the fence.

Quite the caravan, 'eh?

[kristoj]

Way to go! Iove hearing stuff like this. Make sure that you have 6.5 oz. of oil in the steering box, so it doesnt get dry.


How do you know its not 136,000? I just saying.

Well, the odometer is six digits and the first digit is zero. All kidding aside, I have documentation from new (service records, etc.) documenting the mileage. I am only the third owner and just purchased the car 11 months ago. A lot of sitting around, however, killed all of the seals, gaskets and other rubber parts, but I have pretty much replaced every rubber part on the car. The steering box is full and thankfully, leak free.

[mdrburchette]

Great to hear another success story! I'd have the alignment checked after all that work. I just did the front suspension on my 71 and it now needs an alignment.

[kristoj]

I am certain that the alignment is now of of spec. I scheduled an appointment on Thursday to get it aligned. What's another $70 when you've already dropped close to $300?

[ga.spyder]

That is next on my list ,also.I have all the parts together but just havent had time to do it! It is probably going to have to wait until after FFO.John ,did you weigh down the car like the manual says before torquing down the conrol arm bolts ,or is that a neccesary step? My shop manual details that step ,another manual doesnt mention it!
Craig

[kristoj]

Craig,

I drove it up on ramps and then jacked up the back of the car to make it level. Then I put some of my weights in the car to simulate people (about 250 pounds). I also drove the car around the block first to get everything settled. Even on ramps, it is awkward to torque the nuts to 65 and 73 foot pounds in such tight confines.

John

[JeremyB]

I recently replaced the upper arms. I also did the lower bushings. Whe I torqued the bushings down, I had my neighbor sit it the driver seat, and 2 60 lb bags of quik crete in teh pass seat. Withoput ramps or a jack, it was a bitch to get the torque wrench in the wheel wells! As said above. Drives liek a new car! Hell, my wife could even tell the difference whil sittingin the pass seat.

[ga.spyder]

I have been to busy driving it to work on it(a good problem). I didnt get all my parts together until recently,so I will probably wait until Winter.I have been leery of the spring compressors,as I have never used one,but you gotta learn sometime.Thanks for the info.
Craig

[kristoj]

Once you get the springs out, you can take them to a local shop and have them compressed and banded for around $25. If I had to do it over again, I would definitely go that route.