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Topic: Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (7/17)
 10/8/09 11:33am
bio11
Former Member

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Oklahoma City, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.


Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432

Well I finally got all my parts and got the passenger side of the front end back together last night. I plan on tackling the driver side tonight. I wound up getting a kit for my relay rod stud...why not since I've come this far and everything else is new except the front springs. I took my control arms down to a friends shop and had him press out my bushings and press in the new ones. All of my ball joints were original I think because they all had rivets. My biggest hassle last night was getting the front spring back in. A huge pain doing this alone and trying to get it in just right. I can't wait to get finished and have it aligned to see how it drives. I enjoy doing this stuff myself, but this front end rebuild is a pretty big job. I'm not sure if I had to do this again I might have it done at a shop.
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (8/17)
 10/9/09 8:37pm
fedexbicman76
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HARROD, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1976 - L-48 Auto, A/C, AM/FM, Power Windows, Tilt Telescopic Wheel, Factory Aluminum Wheels, Inferno Red Matalic Custom paint with Black Leather Interior.


Joined: 7/25/2003
Posts: 335

Definitely a big job but, one that will be well worth it in the long run. The only thing I didn't do myself was the upper and lower control arm bushings. Had that done at a shop. I also put new 550 springs on the front, alone. Talk about a fun time... Anyway, after alignment was done which took the shop 3.5 hours and they only charged me $78.00, the car drives like the brand new one I drove in mid 1976. I love my c-3.... You will love it tooo.
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (9/17)
 10/10/09 1:19am
suncountryLifetime Member
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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II


Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

I did my front end rebuild a few years back during the winter. Just put the vette on jack stands and went to town. I blasted and painted all the front end parts, new springs, bushings, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, rebuilt calipers ect, and by spring we were ready to goBig smile. Got to do sumpthen while its freezing out side.Wink
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (10/17)
 10/10/09 3:50pm
bio11
Former Member

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Oklahoma City, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.


Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432

Well got it all done this morning except putting the wheels back on and puttin it on the ground. Have to torque the bushings and check toe in. Watching OSU beat Texas A&M at the moment. I'll get back to work after this game. I'll also have to adjust my ride height in the back and have it aligned this week.  
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (11/17)
 10/11/09 6:35pm
fedexbicman76
Former Member

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HARROD, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1976 - L-48 Auto, A/C, AM/FM, Power Windows, Tilt Telescopic Wheel, Factory Aluminum Wheels, Inferno Red Matalic Custom paint with Black Leather Interior.


Joined: 7/25/2003
Posts: 335

Sounds great ! Now just get er down on the ground and rolling into the alignment shop. Then let the cruising begin...
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (12/17)
 10/11/09 8:06pm
bio11
Former Member

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Oklahoma City, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.


Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432

Got it on the ground. I torqued my bushings, torqued rear spring bolts and hooked up my rear sway bar and adjusted my rear ride height a little bit. Hopefully get it to the shop the next day or so. I just pulled it out of the garage and then backed it back in so my tires would get straight, but front end feels real good so far. Set my toe in to 1/8th in. Hopefully everything will be OK on the trip to the shop. Only about 8 miles...I'll take it easy on the way.
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (13/17)
 10/16/09 9:10pm
bio11
Former Member

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Oklahoma City, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.


Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432

Crappy weather this week so I didn't get to the alignment shop. I was adjusting my ride height in the rear and I've noticed that the driver side is about 1 1/2 inches lower than the passenger side with the spring bolts the same. What would cause this? Body mount or something like that? By looking at the spring from behind, it looks flatter on the driver side...less arch, as if it's under load.

Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (14/17)
 10/16/09 10:01pm
anips
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sonoma, CA - USA

Vette(s):
72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe


Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784

I believe you said everything is new except the front springs so the rear is new also?
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (15/17)
 10/17/09 11:50am
bio11
Former Member

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Oklahoma City, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.


Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432

New rear spring, bolts and spring bolt rubbers. Shocks are a few months old. I have not replaced rear strut rods or bushings. I'm sort of anal about stuff like this. My wife say's I worry to much.
anips...we need pics of your Corvette's on here....
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (16/17)
 10/17/09 12:33pm
bio11
Former Member

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Oklahoma City, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.


Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432

I forgot to mention that the ride height of the frame to the ground is OK. It's the same, it's just the body to the ground that's not right.
Ball Joints & Tie Rod Project (17/17)
 10/17/09 9:32pm
anips
Former Member

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sonoma, CA - USA

Vette(s):
72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe


Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784

Lon, I've tryed to post the photos but no luck, Norsky sent instruction, still couldn't. oh well, when you measure any thing make sure you on level ground, the body itself could be off or have a sag if not on level ground, at times I can see the front clip flex up and down depending on road conditions,I believe the body mounts on our cars are solid, not rubber, check out the "smart struts from VBP, they reduce camber change at the rear wheels due to wheel travel, they work and not too expensive. anips2009-10-17 18:37:00
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