front end

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
Post Reply
User avatar
geospider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 585
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

front end

Post by geospider »

Just my luck that when I am ready to do the front, AR didn't have the prebuilt A arms.
The lowers will be a pain. obviously will need to go to a machine shop, unless someone has some kinda trick.
as for the uppers: looks like the bushings do not press all the way to the body of the A arm. others I have seen, butt up against the A arm.

there is something to cleaning up the original ( all in great shape). But would have been a lot easier with the pre built

shoot ideas my way

Geo
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: front end

Post by Jimb »

I too am deciding whether to just get new arms upper and lower arms both sides or just replace all the bushings, so I'll be interested in feedback.
In my case i need to get them from Germany so currency differences and shipping is a consideration.

Jim
User avatar
geospider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 585
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

Re: front end

Post by geospider »

For me, I planned this when AR didn't have any A arms coming in. Now they are closer to being avail.
So, I am committed to doing the replacement. Uppers: not so bad: C clamp type remover.
Lowers: looks like they need a press.

If avail: only about $150 or so dif between new completed a arms or buying all the bushings and ball joints. we will see what it consts to have the lowers done for me. Probably then a push. but they aren't avail.

I'll let you'all know how it goes.

Geo
User avatar
geospider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 585
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

Re: front end

Post by geospider »

jim,
wait on the lower (at least) control arms from AR: shouldn't be long.
by the time you buy the bushings, ball joints and then have then pressed in (you can do upper, but not the lowers unless you have a bench press. so about $55 in parts and another $120 or so at machine shop. 2 control arms from AR is $165 much better deal and save a TON of time.
I am committed to my project
uppers rebuilt:
http://imgur.com/0fknvnf
easy
User avatar
geospider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 585
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

Re: front end

Post by geospider »

front done? not really. But; after rebuilding the A arms and now spring and shocks in.
https://i.imgur.com/QQIywg6.jpg

sure looks like it will be lower. comparing the spring looks more like 2". I know they are progressive/stiffer
https://i.imgur.com/GeLz2sl.jpg
Also: steering gearbox juiced up and adjusted, new idler, and all linkage.
to those thinking of doing your own A arm rebuilds: the uppers are easy and cost effective. the lowers: unless you have access to a press; buy them pre-built from AR.

now onto the motor ( a surprise head issue that slowed this whole thing) see post in engine section.

Geo
bluespider262
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon May 25, 2015 11:14 am
Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Re: front end

Post by bluespider262 »

One of the best $100 I ever spent on a tool was the smallest harbor freight press, 10 ton iirc.

You'll pay for it with your a-arm rebuild, and it will continue to come in handy in the future. Transmissions, differentials, u-joints, bushings, you name it.
User avatar
lglade
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 327
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:05 am
Your car is a: 1984 Pininfarina
Location: Mukilteo, WA

Re: front end

Post by lglade »

I bought the new A-arms, but I wish I'd tried this to rebuild my OEM ones. A trip to Home Depot and a five dollar bill is all you need.

http://www.suspension.com/blog/how-to-i ... t-a-press/
Lloyd Glade- Mukilteo, WA
1984 Pininfarina Spider Azzurra
1962 Fiat 500D - wife's car
2015 Subaru Outback
2017 Ford Focus RS
User avatar
geospider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 585
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

Re: front end

Post by geospider »

Yep. the uppers were easy: free rental ball jt press from Oreiley.
the lowers needed the press; probably like you are talking about. and $100 at Big O.
It is nice to see the parts going out of the garage onto the car vs the other way around. nice to know everything is cleaned and repainted too.
now: put the redone head back on:
Image

Image

all new water pump, tensioner and belts. new alternator too.
working on that damn starter; who would put bolts in that way
User avatar
geospider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 585
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:07 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

Re: front end

Post by geospider »

like many have said: quite a satisfying feeling to do all of this.
Image


that's an inch??
Image

sure wish I could drive it now.
after doing the rear and a test drive; was a great upgrade

Geo
Post Reply