When doing a standard front end rebuild is there anything else that I should buy? I'm about to start purchasing stuff and want to make sure i buy everything I'll need. Heres a list of what I came up with:

Upper & Lower Ball Joints
Inner & Outer Tie Rod Ends
Idler Arm
Lower Control Arm Bushings
Sway Bar Bushing Kit with Brackets
End Link Bushings with Hardware
Polyurethane Tie Rod Boots
Polyurethane Ball Joint Boots
Strut Rod Bushings (Where Applicable)
Centerlink

This is all from the kit that PerformanceSuspension.com sells. with the exception of the centerlink.

 

I think that's it minus the upper ball joints cause we do not have them. Make sure you get new adjusting sleeves for the tie rods. I'm not sure if they come with the kit.

 

If your struts & springs are worn, now would be a good time to change them.

 

Yeah...no upper control arms on these cars.

While everything is apart, it would be VERY wise to replace the motor mounts, tranny mount, and torque arm bushing. You're looking at @ $75 more for those 4 pieces (ES). Definitely do the motor mounts since they'll be soo much easier to get at with the A-arms out.

Also, new coil spring isolators, get these from GM($5 front, $11 rear)
bump stops for the A-arms (ES)
tie rod adjusting sleeves (Hotchkis, $50)


Check out my rebuild page to see what you'll be getting yourself into. Click on the 3 Camaro links:

http://photos.yahoo.com/taramiller72

Contact me with any questions.


HTH...Ed

 

what the hell 50 bucks for the adjuster sleeves. i got my adjuster sleeves for 6.99 each at pepboys were i work. and u will need 2 adjester sleeves. also u can get the center link at pepboys for 51.99 and its already greased and everything. part number i think is DS1049, if thats the wrong part number just have someone at pepboys look up the part number.

 

then after the front end rebuild ur goin to have to go get ur alignment done becuz everything will be out of wack.

 

Kinda figured on that one....

thanks,
-BJ

 

The Hotchkis sleeves are stiffer compared to stock. The stock adj is slotted and 2 bolts crimp down to hold it in place. The Hotchkis sleeves are 1 solid peice of DOM tubing with jam nuts on either end.

 

I just gave my opinion about what parts to install. If "you" don't want to drop $50 on sleeves then don't.

Here's a shot of the 2 types, my old linkage with the stockers on top, my new Moog parts with the Hotchkis sleeves on bottom.

Ed

 

What benefits do they have? Hold alignment better? More responsive? I'm thinking about using them in my front end rebuild this winter. (If anything, they look pretty.)

 

Yeah, they're a lot stiffer than the stock pieces. THe stock ones are merely 2 pieces of steel plate with 2 big "hose calmps" holding them together. Hotchkis pieces are tube steel threaded on both ends and adjusted with jam nuts. A LOT stronger.

Ed