FART_NUGGETS

I've searched but my head is spinning a bit.

Looking to do a full front suspension rebuild on my 89 vert. I'm getting some noises and such that I'm not quite comfortable with. Alignment is also off. I am going to go ahead and assume that the entire front end is 30 years old at this point.

I see nice DSE kits, including LCAs and such, but I'm not looking to spend $2k on this car. I just need a good solid, safe street ride.

Would love to keep the budget under $500. I will do all the work myself so $500 is available for parts, and for an alignment when complete.

I am thinking struts, LCA bushings, sway bar bushings, tie rod ends, brake pads and rotors if needed, front bearings, maybe springs, wouldn't mind sitting a bit lower and stiffer.

Anyone have a suggested list of parts to rebuild the front suspension to 'just better than factory' specs? Not looking for a K member or tubular LCAs or anything like that, just want to refresh the front end so I feel a bit safer in this thing.

Thanks!!

Necron

iTrader: (1)

Have you actually got the car in the air and checked play in the steering, ball joints etc? If your on a tight budget it would be better to just replace what's needed now.

If you want to be efficient you can replace the steering parts, shocks and camber/caster plates so you only have to align it once.

I've replaced LCA bushings once before in the stock arms and I wouldn't do it again.

FART_NUGGETS

No. I have not. My budget is not necessarily tight, but I'm not looking to blow $$ on new LCAs or anything radical, it's just a street car. Looks like KYBs for all corners are about $170 on amazon. Alignment is gonna run $90 by me. So that's $260, I think I can squeeze out front end bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends and still be under $500. Going to shop around for a good deal on springs if I can find them before I tear the car down. Maybe a set someone bought and never installed.

Firebirdwade

I did a cheap rebuild on my front suspension, I replaced the bushings with polyurethane, new steering parts with UMI billet steel adjusters, new ball joints. I also added some reinforcement to the control arms, kind of like this kit: http://einstyn.com/einstyn-chevelle-parts.htm. Wheel bearings are cheap and easy, especially when you are doing brakes.