Just wanted to yell "Thanks!!" to thirdgen.org and everyone that helped me out! A special thanks to:

ebmiller88 - <a href="http://photos.yahoo.com/taramiller72" target="newwin">every detail possible about a front end rebuild</a>
Ukraine Train - <a href="https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&postid=1347478" target="newwin">using balljoint press to install bushings</a>
ChevyMad - <a href="https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=175370" target="newwin">using a drill to help remove bushings</a>
JamesC - <a href="https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=183622" target="newwin">heads up regarding 82-86 upper strut mount problem</a>

And also thanking RB83L69, spartyon, Justins86bird, Rbob, ede, and everyone else that I'm forgetting at the moment! Thirdgen.org rocks!!

The car rides like a dream right now. It's not even a harsh ride! Yeah it's stiff but not as bad as that 250,000 mile suspension was... I barely notice the bumps. Turns are SO much more fun; hell, going STRAIGHT is even more fun!

Biggest trouble- having the lower control arm's rear leg's bushing sleeve rust to the bolt. Took a ton of grinding (more like polishing) with an air die grinder. NONE of my high powered tools would fit in there! I'm glad I bought new bolts and nuts- and YES, these bolts had special shoulders on them. You won't find them in parts stores.

Here's the before/after pictures! If you want details let me know!!! Thanks again everyone!!

 

Ed

 

nice what springs r those i like how low it sits in the back and is that a v-8 car

 

Thanks! The springs are Suspension Techniques (made by http://www.belltech.com ), bought them from http://www.shox.com . The car's a 1986 Firebird, with a 2.8 v6 in it.

 

any pics, details of all the stuff u did?

 

I've got tons of pictures, but they're not online yet... when they are, I'll let everyone know!

Find ALL of the details in this message: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=187293

 

Nice job! How much clearance do you have now between tire and fender? How much ground clearance?

 

Hey, TomP,

I noticed (on the link you provide) that the end link holes in your a-arms had elongated. I found the same to be true on mine when I did the 1LE brake conversion. I suspect that that's another of those problems common to our cars. After repair (weld and grind), a possible fix is to use GM 1LE poly end links. The bushings are rounded and seem to seat into the hole better. Also, after putting a few miles on the car, checking the torque value again seems sensible.

By the way, your car seems to be coming together very nicely.

JamesC

 

big grats, and thanks also on all the information. I will be doing a full front suspension re-do in my winter rebuild this year. As well as rear susp/ brakes. I am going a bit of a different route with C5 front brakes, and LS-1 rear end. (with an LS-1 and 6 speed thrown in there somewhere )