Getting ready for the summer... got an engine stand two weekends ago, http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-2012.html . Got a hell of a deal on it; I love friends that check out garage sales for me!

Recently picked up a full set of poly bushings by Energy Suspension, and two Moog balljoints- part #6145T. The "T" is the improved design for light trucks, and a few guys on the suspension board have used it, so I figured I would, too.

Part #s for those that want them:

3-3157G, front control arm set
3-3136G, rear control arm set
3-7106G, track bar (panhard rod) set
9-13101R, tie rod boots, red
9-13130R, ball joint boots, also red

Looks like I might not use the ball joint boots. The balljoints came with new ones- didn't think they would- and those Moog boots are larger. They even have the relief cut into it to keep grease from getting near the rotor. The ES boots are the "top half" of the moog boots. I'll have to see what the Moog tie rod end boots look like... I might just be throwing those ES boots out. (only $4/set).

My suspension place wasn't kidding when they said my struts were leaking! I did the front brakes and repacked the wheel bearings this weekend; man, those struts were soaked in oil. You'd think they'd have cleaned the oil off for me!

Next purchase; a set of springs, and shocks/struts. After that comes the steering linkage (center link, idler arm, all inner/outer tie rod ends) and some upper strut mounts. Then it's time to "party" and set up the front suspension! Hopefully they'll fix all the f'ing roads around here before then.

 

Man good luck w/it!!!!

Are you changing over to the better steering box while you are at it? I finished mine and had to get an alignment.

 

Yeah, that's in the plans too- thanks for reminding me- I've also got to replace that old rag joint, too. Supposedly they're not made for our f-bodies anymore, but guys have used rag joints for other cars and they've fit. Problem is you have to buy the whole steering shaft I think?

After I weld the 1/4 panel on the back right of the car, I'll be putting on subframe connectors, too. Got a message up on the suspension board about it- the connectors from top down solutions (top center ad banner on this page) seem like the ticket to me.

 

Want to come out & install those items on my ride, Tom?
I used a modified Grocery cart as my engine stand. It's now holding my LT-1 Motor for my 67 Camaro & to be broken in on the 1974 Corvette.
Big tip.
BIG bucket of water and a great tank torch set up.
Heat up bushing ends to melt/release old bushings.
Cool down in water and clean out the rubber.
Reheat the ends to slip in the poly bushings (heat expands) dunk in cold water Immediatly!
Done in a few moments!
Did that trick with an ex-friend.
No true pounding to damage fragile old bushing openings.
What shocks ya thinking of using?
I'm not a fan of KYBs
I have those on my S-10 Blazer & just to harsh.
I'd love to pickup the factory GM shocks again, if inexpensive/reasonable.
NOT a fan of monroes, eithers.
Would love to try Gabriels, tho
WISH I could afford Koni/Bilsteins. I love the Koni's on my 74 Corvette.
With all your smarts, you can't make your own subframe connectors from bar stock?

 

I could make my own, but it seems like it'll be a big pain in the butt. Plus I don't know if I'll be able to find metal as strong as what's used. The SFC's from TDS actually meet up with the frame rails exactly; I like that idea. I looked at the Spohn ones, but they're basically just "here's some steel, have at it"- just like making my own would be like.

I'm probably going with KYB's. I have Monroe sensatrac's on there now, and they were awesome for the first few years, but now they're completely shot. I guess their lifetime warranty didn't expect anyone to own a car over 100,000 miles later! I thought about getting Koni's or Tokico (spelled wrong) shocks/struts, but with the roads around here, I might beat 'em to hell, and be replacing them anyway. The KYB's are cheap enough that I could replace them every few years and not feel guilty about it.

Right now it's like driving a cruise ship... if there's a dip in the road, I feel like I'm navigating high waters with the way the car bounces around.

Thanks for the tip on the bushings! I already found out that I've gotta disassemble the bushings from the new shells, lube the poly with the packets ES gave me, and then reassemble the new bushings to the new shells. Why ES didn't just put all the pieces in the bag, I'll never know. Seems like double work- they put the bushings in the shells, then I take them out, and put them back together again. Oh well. If it means "no squeaks" then I've gotta do it.

The new shells do look sharp though!

 

Tom, you'll be shocked how well the SFC's help. I was simply dumbfounded. I know what you mean about the boat captain, but after getting SFC's it doesn't do it anymore. If possible do the SFC's and then the struts, even though they're leaking, you'd be amazed at the difference.

My SFC's were put on by some local pipefitters that work on cars in their spare time. They did awesome work and only charged $150. Best money I've spent on the car so far. :hail:

 

Another simple way to remove the old bushing is to drill it out.
Time consuming but effective.
Then take a drill with wire brush & wizz shell "clean".
I was shown that heat em up trick & was impressed.
BE aware, ya gotta act FAST!
Ya still "pound" yet not as much.
After a try or two ya get the hang of it.
Wish I could think of replacing shocks.
FROM MY UNDERSTANDING once a shock leaks it done.
Shocks wearing... not with a gas charged shock. It's good til it leaks. Told me by Gabriel, as I asked them.
YET Believe what ya may, too! As I "also agree" or maybe it's all in mind...
I wish I could spend "money" on the Firebird, I have to divi time between lots of things to get to square one.
MY CYCLE BEGS ME & SO DOES MY BLAZER. I can't tell ya what it's like to drive my old beat up Corvette to my other house with tops off (85-90*!) & beat up original rear bumper cap, like I care, I'm driving my own Corvette to my other home that I'm fixing for BIG MONEY!
I have to haul two set of sliding french (NO JOKES!) doors & sheet rock & light fixtures and..... I hope my worker has a trailer hitch!
After I do two houses this year, back to retiring again! Unless I get lucky again and score another house!!

 

tom you are the man...i just bought my kby gr2 shocks and struts and i am in the prosess of buying the bushing kit it is 116. out of summit right....what bushing did it come with...becouse i have a iroc sway bar and i need to get a diffrent size sway bar bushings...any who the rest of my suspenon will stay stock except for the polyurithan bushings...

how come you are not doing the work your self...im doing mine in 2 weeks during spring brake i cant weight...

how much did you pay for all the rear stuff...thats my nexed project after the front bushings and struts and shocks and stuff...

 

Who said I'm not doing the work myself? I'm doing it all myself, except for an alignment. I just have to wait until I get all the parts together- wouldn't make sense to do control arm bushings now, and then take the control arm down from the strut to replace the springs and struts later.

The ES kit doesn't come with sway bar bushings, by the way. It comes with one lousy set of $14 end links. That's why I pieced together my own kit. If you run the prices against summitracing.com, you'll find the cost of the bushings.

 

yea whell i thing your right about the bushing set sucking...so i will peace mine togeather to i hope you are not useing polyurithang bushing for the a arm becouse my bro was explaning to me that thay have a tendinsey to bind...just a though...

also have you though about replacing your strut mount....check this out..

http://www.spohn.net/index.cfm?fusea...&productid=117

 

Sounds like fun.... I tell you I am enjoying my 4th gen z.... I do miss the looks of the thirdgen though.... Hey I have a black front and rear seats, 2.8 plug wires, and a 3rd gen bird tail fin... If your in the Orlando Area I will give it all to you.. .Yes FREE... Got to help each other out right... Okay if you feel like it you canbuy me lunch that day, but otherwise FREE!!!!

 

WHY CAN'T ANYONE OFFER TAN VINYL 4th GEN SEATS FOR FREE!
It is 90* in SoCal.
BLACK?
My 2 1/2 yr old Son would be burnt to a crisp!
I'm tempted on the spoiler, tho!
I do have a girlfriend in Florida & she wants me to visit (I have to bring Wife & Son, tho, so we all go to Disneyworld!)