Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

**Wayne W.** · February 15, 2002, 07:12 PM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

Actually there is no way to know. If you know what came out of it, I would put them back that way to start. Otherwise just put some in each, and let the alignment guy work it out. As for the tie rod ends. You should count the revolutions in and out and split the difference. Once it is all set on the car and the steering wheel is centered, adjust for just a little toe in. You can measure front and rear of the tire and get close enough to drive it.

**Patrick T.** · February 15, 2002, 08:33 PM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

Wayne, I should have mentioned that when I took the parts to get powdercoated, all of the upper and lower A-arm shafts were slightly bent, so I replaced them with new ones. The non PS relay rod was also bent, and that got replaced also.

What I had to start with as far as the shims go, was 3 on each bolt on the passenger side only, the drivers side had no shims. I can't believe that would now be correct. All of the parts are now straight, so I was thinking of starting off with a couple 1/8" shims on each side. Does that sound reasonable? Thanks.

**Wayne W.** · February 15, 2002, 08:56 PM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

It really doesnt make any difference. Your alignment man will have to use the correct number anyway. You could take it with no shims.

**Patrick T.** · February 15, 2002, 09:05 PM

Thanks, Wayne! *NM*

**John R.** · February 15, 2002, 11:23 PM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

I'm considering undertaking a front end rebuild on my 67 and am wondering if it is a job that I can accomplish myself in my garage. I think that I can take the time to do a better job than having someone else do it but I am a little intimidated about compressing springs and dealing with stubborn bolts and nuts in cramped quarters around the big block. I am also wondering what the recommendations would be for obtaining the correct bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends. I thought I would take it all apart and have the a-arm assemblies redone by an expert with the appropriate riveted ball joints and then reassemble everything with new springs, shocks, tie rod ends and whatever else appeared to need replacing. Any advice you could pass along at this point, Patrick?

**Patrick T.** · February 16, 2002, 09:39 AM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

John, I took the front suspension apart myself, in the garage, and had a Corvette restoration shop bead blast and powder coat most of the parts and installed new bushings and new ball joints with rivets. I took off the old rivets with a sawsall and cleaned everything up. If the parts and not disassembled and greasy, it will cost you extra.

One thing I had in my favor was that the engine is a small block and the entire front clip was/is off, which made it easy to get to. You can make your own internal spring compressor very easily, I did, and it's very safe, see the link below on how to make one. Patrick

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=174935

**John R.** · February 16, 2002, 11:48 AM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

Patrick, Thanks for the information and the link for the spring compressor. I think I'll try the same approach you did and send my a-arms out to be redone after I have cleaned them up.

**Chuck G.** · February 17, 2002, 05:40 AM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

I just finished doing the entire front suspension on my 69 BB this winter. I served as "general contractor". Like Patrick, I farmed out the ball joints to be riveted, and the bushings to be replaced. It's not too difficult. The biggest problem I encountered was removing the upper A Frames from the bolts. I had problems clearing the fan shroud. The internal spring compressors are a real pain to use. Follow the link that Patrick provided and make your own from some plate steel and allthread. Chuck

**John R.** · February 17, 2002, 11:19 AM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

Chuck, Thanks for your words of advice. I noticed the same problem with the bolts for the upper a-arms when I pulled the radiator earlier this year, thinking that it would be a good time to take those bolts out. Were you able to get the bolts out without moving the shroud?

**Wayne W.** · February 17, 2002, 09:55 PM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

I have made a tool from a vise-grip clamp that fits over the stud and puts pressure on it. I then use a long punch and shock the frame near the bolt head, from the other side, untill it pops out. Works great and you dont have to remove the shroud. Usually it is only necessary to remove the front bolt.

**Wayne C.** · February 18, 2002, 03:45 AM

Re: Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

In reviewing the url for the tool to R & R front springs, there was a lot of discussion on how to ensure that the bottom nut doesn't come off.... I'd suggest an improvement to that tool: cross-drill the rod near the end, then after the rod is fed down through the plate and through a flat washer, use a castle nut with a cotter key.

Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

Midyear Front End Assembly Question....

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