Front end rebuild...DONE!!!

[ga.spyder]

The dreaded and long delayed front end rebuild has been completed A full day + of work with expert help and use of a lift.I consider myself a C+ to B- mechanic.Not highly skilled.I worked a deal with a great mech. to pay shop time,donate my time,and supply all parts.I ended up spending about $ 450 total incl. labor and parts,not including my time. The use of the press,lift,and other tools was invaluable.If I had done it on my own in my garage,it would still be onging!My ball joints had torn boots(2),bushings were destroyed,stripped bolts in the sway bar ,etc..It was due for a rebuild.The ball joints were original,so the heads had to be ground off to get them out.The re-assembly was much easier.I personally would not want to do this job w/o a lift.Call me wimpy!
The results are great.The car feels so much better planted,the steering is really responsive.Had the alignment done today,then took it (with the front end guy) on a 45 min. ride.Good thing he owns the business.The only problem is that a shake between 60-75 mph feels much more pronounced.Since it was there before,the alignment guy feels it is tire balance and I feel it more because the front end isnt 'absorbing ' it like it was.Getting the tires balanced Sat.
This has been on my ''to do'' list for 2 years,I am glad its done!

[racydave]

Way to go! Are your wheels hub centric? I got rid of my old "universal" wheels and lost my shake also. Glad it was a good experience!

[ga.spyder]

Thanks,Dave
My wheels are aftermarket,and are more lug centric.The shake has been with the car since I have had it,just pretty subtle.Only at those speeds,otherwise very smooth.I can definitely feel it more now.I am hoping a balance job will cure her!

[rlux4]

Hey Craig, that's terrific! I think that's why the word "whew" was invented.
Ron

[Hutch]

Congratulations! I am more than just a little jealous.

[SpiderHead]

Woot! wooooot!

The front end rebuild is the single best thing you can do for your Spider!

Now take a look at the back trailing arms. You have 4. 2 short, 2 long. You wont need a lift for these, they come out pretty easy. Replace the bushes on these, and with your new front end bushes you have a car that can out-corner most modern "performance" cars.

Glad to hear about your success!

I know everyone is expecting to read a huge tirade about balance.. lol... but I won't. What I will say is that you should find the best balance guy in your area. Don't expect that the fella at the local Goodyear store is going to get it quite right Ask a few of the better mechanics in the area, and see what they say.

-Ryan

[ga.spyder]

Ryan,
I live in the boonies.You rate the mechanics here by the size of the oak tree they work under! After reading your post re. balance I have given thought to the wheels maybe needing to be trued.There is a tire guy here who is very good(all the tractors go there),I will see if a balance cures my shake.If not ,I may have to go to a high end shop in Atl. It is not a huge vibration,but it is annoying.

[baltobernie]

Congratulations Just in time for the weather warming up!

[kristoj]

Congrats Craig! Having done this myself, I can appreciate the relief in completing th job (and the improvement in handling). Of course, I didn't have the use of a lift or a press But I did have a mechanic friend assisting me, so I guess I fall into the wimp category as well.

[ronarthur]

Nothing wimpy about getting help especially if it concerns something that you are unsure of or haven't done before. Imagine how "manly" you would feel if something was done wrong on the rebuild and you found out your mistake while driving.

Like Clint said, "A man has to know his limitations."

[mdrburchette]

Way to go, Craig! New front suspension items do make a big difference....and yes, I fall in the wimpy category as well. Some of those nuts are hard to break loose.

[ga.spyder]

I got the alignment done on Thursday,and took it for balancing today.All 4 were slightly out of balance,not bad.We did find one tire was slightly out of round.This is where tire truing like Ryan had done would come into play.Since my tires are 50% worn,I opted not to take it further.I moved that tire to the rear,where I run less air pressure.The results are excellent.No more vibration up to 100mph.No more 'bumpsteer''.Handling is greatly improved,car feels tight and glued to the road.I put off this process for a while,due to several factors.I would highly recomend the rebuild for anyone with obvious front end issues.I was worried I would put all this time and money into something with limited results.It was worth every penny!

[SpiderHead]

Happy days are here again!

[BrianAz]

Spiderhead,
You mentioned changing the bushings in the rear suspension trailing arms. I thought that the bushings were not available and you have to buy the complete arm instead. Do you know of a source for the bushings?

// Brian.

[So Cal Mark]

there are two styles of rear arms, and only the arms with hourglass shaped bushings are rebuildable