front suspension rebuild

[Jazgeek]

without breaking the bank, I'd like to do a bit of front end work.

I know my inner tie rod ends need to be replaced (rubber starting to crack)
and when they were putting on my new rims they noticed that the passenger tire has play up down on it (ball joint?)

without breaking the bank, what should I replace. I will not be doing this myself but I will be buying the parts seperately (the local guys mark the parts up 100% at the very least)

[pope]

First off, Do the ball joints ($60 for all four). If there is that much play in them and one breaks, it could be bad. That whole wheel side could come off.
Then when you have the money, do the entire tie rod section at once, that is four tie rod ends and a center section. Under $80 in parts.

I dont think that will break the bank.
Easy to do yourself also

[kristoj]

He is right. You want to do it in that order as the ball joints are a safety item.

[So Cal Mark]

I'll agree that the ball joints should be done first, but tie rod ends are a safety item too.
As for supplying your own parts, ask your mechanic if he'll install your parts, and how much the labor will be. Professional shops figure their cost not just on labor rates, but the overall cost of doing business. You may find that you will pay more for labor than if they supply parts.

[mbouse]

don't forget to consider A-Arm bushing replacement at some point as well.

i installed new tie rod ends and rods across the entire vehicle, then drove to an alignment shop for a front end alignment. that eliminated some cost as well.... since you will need an alignment regardless of who installs the parts.

[ga.spyder]

Let us know how it works out.I have been getting parts together for a front end rebuild for a couple months.My ball joints seem ok,but the a-arm bushings are shot.If I am going to pull it apart I am going to do everything at once.Probably over the winter.I need the tie -rods and then will have all parts.I got a price on labor with and w/o me furnishing parts.I am undecided if I am going to tackle it all myself or farm out the control arms and ball joints.
Craig

[kristoj]

Craig,

I had done the tie rods and center link last year, and had planned on outsourcing the control arms this year. Labor estimates for all four control arms came in between $350 and $400. A buddy of mine offered to help me and I eventually decided to go for it. It is not technically difficult at all. The only part of the project I would describe as challenging is getting the springs back in. I did not have any type of spring compressors, so we just muscled them back in with a floor jack and a couple of pry bars. I would not recommend this approach, as it was VERY difficult. There are many helpful posts on various techniques using spring compressors. You can also take your springs to most any suspension shop and have them compressed and banded for about $25. We did my control arms on a Sunday, and I wanted to get done that day, otherwise I would have had them banded (no one open on Sunday to do the banding).

Given the cost to outsource, I would encourage you to give it a go. It really isn't that difficult. Don't forget you have to take the wheel hubs off, so you should also repack your wheel bearings and check them for wear. The inside bearings are available through the Fiat vendors or special order from your local parts store. The outer bearings should be in stock at your local parts store. In my case, I only had to replace the outers (which are also much cheaper), so I lucked out.

[apexwc]

I just replaced all four control arms (new bushings and ball joints are already installed), all tie rod ends and sleeves and the center link, ~$400 for parts. The springs were probably the most difficult. I tried two different spring compressors that did not work all that well, there's just not enough room. I did one side at a time so on the last side I used two links of chain with a heavy "S" hood on each end on the front and back side of each spring. I jacked the control arm up compressing the spring as much as possible and put on the chains. Then I let the jack down until it was about 1" below the control arm and disconnected the ball joint, the jack stopping the control are from dropping too fast. Then I slowly let the jack down untill all of the pressure was off the spring. I had to remove the nuts holding it to the body to completely remove the arm and the spring because the old arm would not swing down far enough to remove the spring even though there was no pressure on it. When I put the new arm on it did swing down far enough to put in the spring and the I slowly jacked it back up to connect the ball joint. I tightend the ball joint nut first to make sure everything else had free movement. The other problem I had was disconnecting all of the ball joints and tie rod ends. I had to heat all of them with a propane torch to get them loose.
I also had vertical tire movement before I did the work and I think most of it was coming from worn upper control arm bushings instead of the ball joints.

[ga.spyder]

I have read several post and ''how-to's'' on the front rebuild.I have a local guy who is excellent with Euro cars quote me $300 if I supply the parts.If I had someone to help me I would go for it myself...and I still may! I hate the thought of getting it torn down or partly complete and not be able to proceed.I have no problem doing the center link/tie-rod assembly.Thanks for the encouragement,I have 4-5 months before driving season ends(as if it ever does!!) and I have to decide.
Craig

[kristoj]

Thanks for rubbing it in -- I have three months max of driving season left (two at best with the top down). And it definitely ends up here

[ga.spyder]

John ,I've got it!! You ,your lovely wife,and the kids drive down to Ga. for ''late season" driving.And while your here.....front end rebuild on mine!! Yeah Baby!!
Craig

[kristoj]

If you lived on the beach, we might take you up on it! But you may be on to something. How cool would it be to have a parts install area set up the Friday of FFO? Everybody could bring parts to install and we all pitch in to get everything done -- kind of the Amish barn building concept. It would be a logistical nightmare with tools, space and all, but what a hoot. Kind of like a giant "how to" clinic.

A couple weekends ago, I got up at the crack of dawn and spent most of my Saturday helping a friend install a new clutch in his Miata -- just so I could learn how to do it. I figure that is a good skill to have since I haven't owned a car with an automatic in over 20 years. And there's no sense in using one of my cars as the guinea pig