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Post by Lucid on Feb 5, 2007 4:52:01 GMT -5
As some as you already know, i was driving home from work and parked at the stop light when the ball joint sheared off the end. The whole front end hit the ground on the passengers front. I made the car grind over to the gas station, barely, and watched painfully as the tow truck operator unloaded the car at the house. It looks like its taking a nap ...
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Post by gogettakid91 on Feb 19, 2007 19:02:35 GMT -5
wats up!? well for a while now my brakes squeak but every once in a while. And also i drive over a tiny bump and my car bounces. how much is an average cost for a new suspension and brakes?
p.s. i know some about cars but not enough.
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Post by Lucid on Feb 20, 2007 14:47:54 GMT -5
How long ago was it since you put in shocks and struts? These cars a little weak structurally so eventually they squeak and rattle a lot. If you bottom out over a speed bump with the stock wheels and tires, then you definitely need to look at some new shocks. I put KYB's in, i think the parts cost $100 front and $75 for the rear plus labor.
You should come out to the next meet
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Post by Lucid on Feb 27, 2007 20:48:45 GMT -5
I removed the remains of the ball joint from the control arm tonight, it looks like that ball joint sheared at the point of stress and may have cracked before it sheared off.
I was pressing in the new ball joint and the loaner tool broke, and damaged the new ball joint.
I need to have the bushings in the control arm replaced, and it would require removing the control arms anyway.
What i am thinking of doing is just taking the extra set of control arms that are already modified, and taking them to a machine shop and having them press in the new bushings and a new set of ball joints.
Would anyone care to help install the new control arms? I dont know exactly when i would have time to work on it, but it would be Sunday at the latest. I am trying to get Friday off from work as well. I have an air compressor and a couple of jacks, so we probably have enough tools.
Also, i am trying to complete the LS1 brake conversion, and this would be a good time to complete everything all in one step. I just got the spindles tapped for 1/2" bolts and i need to buy some grade 8 or 9 bolts and some banjo bolts and they should be ready to go in.
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Post by gogettakid91 on Feb 28, 2007 19:46:53 GMT -5
i am barely on here..my bad..but if ya let me know when yall meet up..i can let yall know wats up wit my car..lataz brah
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Post by Jim on Feb 28, 2007 22:29:22 GMT -5
i am barely on here..my bad..but if ya let me know when yall meet up..i can let yall know wats up wit my car..lataz brah ON SUNDAY! MARCH 4th! WE'RE MEETING UP TO CRUISE TO HAVE A DAY WITH THE AUSTIN THIRD GEN GROUP. let me know brian, i have saturday and sunday off this week.
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Post by Lucid on Mar 1, 2007 20:32:22 GMT -5
I have tomorrow off until 7pm and Sunday off, i probably will go in the morning and have them press in the bushings and new ball joints in the modified control arms to get them ready to go.
The LS1 brakes are almost ready, i went to this place called Fiesta Bolt on South Santa Rosa. They sold me 10 of the grade 8 - 1/2" x 3/4" coarse thread bolts for about $7 (after conversing about the aspects they are not automotive but that it doesn't really matter). I have to get some banjo bolts for the calipers, but i can get those at the dealer.
Thanks Jim
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Post by Lucid on Mar 6, 2007 23:17:14 GMT -5
Ok this time the tool didnt break, it was just a pain in the arse lining up all the pieces of the tool correctly so the ball joint didnt go in crooked. (Note to self: use a lot of grease on the outer body of the ball joint and clean control arm thoroughly, also concave part goes on the bottom and the small diameter receiver instead of the pressing tool recommended so it doesnt slip. Dont forget the dust cover and to put the sway bar bushings back on. )
I am about to grease her up and get her ready for the road.
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Post by Jim on Mar 7, 2007 0:19:37 GMT -5
Fixed??
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Post by Lucid on Mar 7, 2007 3:57:45 GMT -5
Yes, shes ready to go now...finally
I bypassed the heater and put a new steering cover on as well
Heres what i learned:
The rattling i thought were the struts actually was the ball joints. They are so loose they are rattling around in the socket. After changing the passenger side ball joint, it is stiff and responsive and the other side is noisy.
I think thursday or friday i am going to jack up the other side and press in a new ball joint, because im afraid of it giving out like the other side did. A $10 part may save me a $65 towing fee.
Lower control arms upgrade:
I am going to take the arms in to have new bushings pressed in and new ball joints pressed in. Otherwise, they are painted and ready.
LS1 brake upgrade:
I have to cut one of the spindles so the caliper sits correctly, and buy some banjo bolts and new bearings.
My parts list:
Custom Hubs w/NAPA studs (modified 3rd gen rotors) Spindles modified 1LE/vette style & holes tapped to 1/2" 12" LS1 calipers and rotors (98+ Camaro brakes) Serpent's 5/8" laser cut caliper brackets
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Post by toogood002 on Mar 7, 2007 12:39:43 GMT -5
hey so when are we going to fix your car dude little bear is ready to attack any problem you have. ha ha ha anyways call when you need a hand laterzzzz!!!!!!
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Post by Jim on Mar 7, 2007 17:50:32 GMT -5
fuckin' little bear...pffff
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Post by Frankenbird on Mar 25, 2007 11:26:45 GMT -5
Sounds like that was quite a project. When I had the WS-6 suspension ripped off of the parts car and rebuilt with poly, it was very time consuming. The end result was very nice though. Energy Suspension has some great stuff. If you ever redo the whole thing, I know a guy out by Medina Lake that will do a killer job for a good price.
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Post by Lucid on Mar 25, 2007 13:19:02 GMT -5
I still am not finished yet, the control arms and LS1 brakes are on hold right now because of money.
Those Energy Suspension Poly bushings worked really well on the sway bar i have in the front, those were an excellent choice.
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Post by Frankenbird on Mar 27, 2007 23:51:16 GMT -5
If you get a little extra money, and are short on time, I know a great mechanic that works for peanuts. He did the stuff on my project that I either didn't have time to do, like the suspension and wiring, or didn't have the tools and/or experience to do, like the motor rebuild.
He's just now starting up his own shop out of his house. Nothing fancy, just enough to pay some of the bills, and keep him busy. He charges about 1/2 of what most of the shops in town charge, and he has everything but a lift (which is likely to change soon). When I get to show you the car, I'll have a good sample of his work.
Energy suspension bushings are the shizzle. I'll show you my setup when I get it back on the road.
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