Camaro510

Where can i get some ball joints? If i'm gonna replace ball joints on a 89 iroc, should I replace anything else in the vicinity?

I'm gonna pull the trigger on the dirty 89 iroc with no key. It has 160mi orig and automatic. I'm gonna get it towed to my place on saturday. Get the key replaced for 40$+delivery and replace the joints on the spot and weep in happiness if it works. lol. if not i know where he lives lol

Edwardgp

Any of your local parts stores should have the ball joints. While you are getting the ball joints you should also try and get a manual for your car. Also check this forum for spring removal information.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

well you only have lower ball joints. So their are only two. I myself rebuilt my whole front end a few years ago. But you can just do ball joints if that is all you wanna do.
Any parts store will offer them. Although I would install MOOG ball joints when I can because they are of higher quality.

Camaro510

I can afford the moogs, cause i did some resesrch and saw how cheap they were at rock auto. I really want to get the gunmetal moog ones that let you lube easier(?) but yeah, I'd have to wait 5 days for it to arrive though lol. I'm wondering if i should pay twice the price at local stores for less quality and instant gratification.

Wish me luck!

Camaro510

well I think i'm gonna get them from amazon since they are the same price as rock auto and I have Prime so i get free 2 day shipping.

How much did it cost to replace the whole front? I'm planning on overhauling the suspension after i make sure everything works.

Here is my priority list as of the moment i get it parked at home:

1. Paperwork
2. Make sure it's running
3. Get the ball joints in
4. Run a basic tune up
5. Start on a full tune up
6. Start suspension overhaul if the first 5 go well.

Copchaser

iTrader: (2)

Funnyyou should ask.. Im doin all this right now. Just replaced my center link, tie rod ends (inner and outer) and ball joints. My advice it to do all this at the same time. If you just do ball joints, u still need to get it aligned. Why not knock it all out since you are already in there and call it good. Save money and time by getting it done now, and really get the effect of a good handling car.

Im sure when you were typing this out, your list wasnt intended to imply you were working on things in that order. But I would:
1.
4.
2.
5.
6 and 3 at the same time.

Just my

Camaro510

Really? I'm glad you clarified a specific order cause I wasn't sure what i wanted to do first. I know the current ball joints are done for, I'd rather not risk driving on the current ones. I'm trying to get it running decent enough to move it from one parking space to another lol.

Man i really wanted to do it myself, but i don't really have the tools nor the storage to really work on it on my own. I also want to drive it asap lol.

Not sure what to do

Copchaser

iTrader: (2)

It was just a suggestion. No need to get smart about it. My intent was to help you save money and time in labor in the long run. If my thoughts are too much for you to handle, Ill gladly unsubscribe to this post.

Camaro510

I apologize, I didn't mean to come across that way. The "really?" was very much sincere. I have no idea what i'm doing and this is my first solo car purchase. I guess i didn't choose the best choice of words, I was just wondering how you put the order together. I mean it was pretty obvious after i read your post why, but my situation requires that I put in the ball joints asap.

My bad.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

He wasnt getting smart bro. It was a genuine really

I too think he should just go ahead and knock out the whole front suspension.
But I dont know people's finances and such.

But you knock it out with all good parts and it should be something you dont have to consider doing again for a long time.

really should go ahead and put new shocks and struts with strut mounts also. but this all adds up in the pocketbook.

You also dont know the condition of the brakes yet...those are priorities to make sure they are good...

A lot of stuff to do on a new car buy to ensure it is safe and secure for passengers.

Camaro510

I've seen the car in person before and saw the brakes. They looked good, but will definitely inspect it.

I'm really interested in the ls1 break swap, or the 4th gen brake swap.

BUT first comes first. If i do it myself, how much would it cost to replace what I need to replace in the front to call it a rehauled front end?

Shocks, struts, bearings, tie rod ends, and center link??

Also, which aftermarket parts should i get? There are so many. Any highly recommended by the consensus of thirdgenners? Like the Spohn struts and springs or something? I'm really making this into my DD that can roar through the mountains when i visit my girl in santa cruz. Even though we probably wont last that long lol.

mmadden55

Just suspension performance suspension technologies both offer kits with upper and lower ball joints tie rod ends bushings end links etc at reasonable prices. Also haynes manual will give you step by step instructions on install. You will need to take your arms to a shop to get the bushings pressed in and out.

Camaro510

Okay. So i ordered a cheap front end kit that includes:
Lower Ball Joint
Upper Control Arm Bushings
End Links Included
End Link Bushings
Outer Tie Rod Ends Included
Lower Control Arm Bumpers

I'm going to have a FIELD day trying to install this in one try. can anyone in the area come help? rofl.

Yeah this is going to be the start of an interesting journey for me. The learning curve will be horrible without someone to help. But i decided to take this path and i'm gonna stick to it.

Copchaser

iTrader: (2)

No worries man.. I looked at the post twice before I responded. it could have gone either way, but at least it was a simple misunderstanding... we're good

Im glad to see you have ordered some parts.. do you know what brands? Moog is by far the best quality and most reliable out there and not really all that expensive. You also mentioned you dont have anywhere to really do all of the work... did you happen to devise I plan for that. Like I said, Im doing all this now, so helping out would not be a problem at all.

Jimmy64D

Dont forget the ball joint press and some grease. Good luck! I did them last week, had never done them before. The first one took me 2 hours the next was easier.

Camaro510

For parts I just ordered the front end kit from PST: Performance Susp. Tech. Polygraphite® Performance Standard Front End Kit i believe. 190$

I was thinking of actually getting the moogs as well because they are better quality and built smarter, but i'm not 100% sure yet. I don't want to get ahead of myself TOO much, as i still have to get it registered and smogged.

As jimmy D pointed out one of my problems is tools. All i really have is some Sockets, unorganized wrenches, and stuff for brake jobs(micrometer, c clamp etc) and electrical testing. Do i really need a ball joint press?

Camaro510

I also need to align it, and torque it to spec, and make sure i dont lose anything. Maybe this first job i should leave to a professional? I'm scared lol.

Jimmy64D

you can get the ball joint press from auto zone, advance auto or any local parts store. Auto zone was a 100.00 deposit that was fully refunded when I returned it.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

ok well you can "borrow" a ball joint press from oreilly or autozone you just have to leavea deposit normally. so that problem is solved.

The control arm bushings are the hardest part.

You can also just take the control arms off. take it to a shop have them press the control arm bushings out and in, and the ball joints out and in. I'd say they would probably charge you anywhere from 40-80 per control arm.

Camaro510

Thanks alot guys. I'm glad I have your support!

I've made a decision. I decided to just do the ball joints for now until I can get all the paperwork sorted out. While i'm under there I'll try to take some pics and see how good/bad things are. Going to get the car soon... Wish me luck fellas. I'll finally be a third gen owner in a few hours!!

Camaro510

so it turns out he's missing a wheel rofl. Someone stole 1 wheel... Well i'm going to buy some 18' irocs anyways but, it would be nice if i didnt have to buy them NOW...

Anyone have some rims they don't want? My wallet is kind of dented, so give me your best price please.

Camaro510

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/2985242455.html

I'm thinking about grabbing this for the sake of vanity. I have 3 red 89 iroc rims... I would buy one if i could find one lol.

Copchaser

iTrader: (2)

Those were a BITCH!!! I did those yesterday for my car... I highly recommend he drops them out and pays someone to swap the bushings out for him

Camaro510

so things are looking good. I might be grabbing a third of a shell for 300$ if i didn't miss it. But it's such a deali might have missed out on it already.

Camaro510

BLah I missed it... A guy in SJ was selling pretty much all the gfx, the enitre front, bumpers and spoiler for 300$. Mint. It was exactly what I needed for my car and i missed out on it!!!

EDIT: Pics coming soon... I'll probably start my own project thread soon. THis missing tire is pissing me off! rofl. i hate missing set pieces. What can i say though, someone stole one rim and thats not his fault.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Well I have a spare RS rim off my 89. needs a tire..other than that i'd run over to pick n pull and get a rim and tire off a camaro or firebird for however much they charge now and call that good...

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Hey I dont know if this is too late. But when you tighten the bolts for the control arm's you should have the vehicle weight on them.

Camaro510

A bit late. I decided just to do the joint ***** and get it tuned up. I should be able to do them on on the 9th. i also REALLY want to find a red iroc wheel... but its so expensive or non existent

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Wasn't talking to you. You do see I quoted Copchaser?

Camaro510

Okay, So i called a local locksmith today, I only chose him cause he was the only one that picked up.... He said that a 89 iroc has a key with a chip in it. So it's going to cost me 100$.

But i thought 90 was the one with the remote keys? not 89?

Copchaser

iTrader: (2)

Really??? Why is this? I still need to assemble brakes, install springs, mount the spindles back up and then put the tires back on... Lol

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

my car is an 89 and it has the VATS system. I dont think all cars came with it though..but i'd imagine an iroc did...

He has to pull the lock out and key it, then determine the resistance of the vats system. (their are like 5 or 7 different resistance's for the keys).

The car is missing the key?

Camaro510

Yep. is that a normal price for a VATS system key?

Also, How do i get my front fenders flush with my doors?

Camaro510

So i called a different locksmith and he said I need both an ignition AND a door key. It might cost me about 300$...

Is this right???? Jeez, I thought I could just get a key for 50 bucks and be on my way. This alone is denting my budget.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

umm the ignition and door key use different keys..so if you have a door key then you do not need it...

A vats key alone at a locksmith is around 30 bucks. and that is if you have a key already with the right cut and they know the resistance of the pellet in the key.

100 bucks to get a new key seems fair to me being that you have nothing to work with.