Damn but what a major PITA! Started work at 8am or so on Sat. Got everything
dismantled but getting the various bushings out was a chore. Not everything
would rest on the press, so a BFH was used when needed. Also found out the
bushing on one end had been completely worn through to the point that the metal
sleeve was toast and it had begun to notch the a arm. Had to run to autozone
and pick up a new bushing in order to use it with the ES stuff.
The steering knuckle would not budge. I pounded and pried at it for a couple
hours with no luck. Finally rented a 3-jaw puller and was able to get it off.
Even that took an hour or two since I could not get all 3 jaws to clamp
properly.
Could not get the spring back in, so I had to leave everything for the night. I
think I finally got all the bushings and ball joints installed by 5am Sunday
morning when I decided it was time to sleep. This was after I found myself
crashed out on the floor of the garage! - Note - When extremely tired, do not
lay down unless you intend to sleep there!
Major thanks to Mark Kuzia for helping out. He came by today and we finally got
the drivers side buttoned back up. Still took a couple hours just to figure out
how to get the spring back in. Had to rent a spring compressor from Autozone.
Each time we tried the tool thought it would hang up on something else.
Hopefully I can get the passenger side done this weekend.
With only new shocks on the front, and new balljoints and ES bushings on the
drivers side, but I can already tell a marked difference. Hope to get the right
side done in the near future, and the rear shocks. I still need to order
swaybar bushings, and my steering rack bushings are also shot so they will need
to be replaced too.
I went with Monroe Sensatracs. So far I am happy with them. Sears gave me a
warranty exchange since my old Roadhandler shocks were toast and they honored
the warranty. Only cost me $45 for 4 shocks after the credit.
Can't wait to get ES stuff on everything and a sway bar on the rear. Also
planning on doing ES body mount bushings as well. I already have the rear set
from ES.
Kevin
1992 CC 318 (360 swap underway)
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