i'm having some major problems with my front end and thinking about replacing everything since it's the last to be restored on my car.

this is a list of what i was told i need to replace, does this look right or am i missing something?

2 inner tie rods
2 outer tie rods
1 center link
2 lower ball joints
4 control arm bushings
1 idler arm

also, they tried to tell my i should just replace my control arms; couldn't i just remove all the bushings an such an clean them up and replace the joints and whatever else it needs rather than buy brand new arms? seems like a waste of money.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Just take your front end apart, carefully, and have the bushings and ball joints replaced. Unless your car has really been abused or the bushings so bad they've worn an oblong hole in tha a-arms, it'll be ok.

Don't forget sway bar bushings and end link kit and maybe the rubber connecting donut on the steering column at the steering box. And the rubber bumper on the a-arm that keeps it from bottoming out on the k-member.

How're the struts?

 

this is what i've just installed:

bilstein struts an shocks
eibach pro-kit
kenny brown lca's
kenny brown 2 way phr
southewest sbfc's
1-le sway bars w/ energy suspension

now i just need to complete the setup with the front end.


i'm thinking of just going with all gm since it's the same price as most of the kits from p-s-t and moog. the car itself rides perfect, it's just the steering that's terrible. i want it to be like new or better than new if possible.

any suggestions?

 

The need to replace a-arms sounds fishy to me. I have worked as a front end mechanic for some time and I can tell you that they probably don't want to remove the control arm bushings. THey are a royal pain. Your a-arms are not a wear item. (Unless they get bent) Tie-rods and idler arms wear out, not a-arms. Just tell them you want new bushings and balljoints installed on your parts!

 

You can Install/remove Your Balljoitns with a sledgehammer and a Block Of wood. Save yourself some $$$

Then get some Poly bushings pressed into the A arms. This is the one front suspension Thing I havent done yet.

When I replaced everything on Mine, the only thing that was worn out of round was the centerlink.

I got all the stuff free (moog) So I replaced it all anyways.

New centerlink, New inner and outer tire rod ends, New Tire rod's themselves...

New idler arm (was wasted on my car at the joint)

Definately some poly Swaybar Bushigns and endlinks. A Cheap way to tighten up the front end.

Polyurethan Bumpstops too Would be a good idea. the stock rubber ones get eaten up.

I replaced the steering box, Cause Mine was Thrashed. Again Free

The pitman Arm I didnt replace, cause I couldnt get my hands on one, But Its pretty Much a No-wear Item and has been Fine.


The 2 balljionts of course, and that pretty much Sums it Up.

Go with the Moog Parts.