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Necoa #: 499
Location: 19(AK,ID,OR,WA)
Joined: Jan 09, 2003
Posts: 314
Year: 1985
Model: El Camino
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2003 9:06 pm Post subject: ordered my suspension stuff
well hopefully by next weekend i'm gonna have one smooth riding corner blasting el camino. After i got my F41 sway bar (which isnt installed yet) i went ahead and ordered the bushings/endlinks, as well as the edelbrock ias shocks, and the eibach pro-kit springs. i was figuring to get these to help smooth out the bumps on the roads. lately, its been giving a rough ride it didn't seem to when i first got it. hopefully this will help alot _________________ 1985 El Camino Conquista 13.7 @ 99mph with 87octane
Necoa #: 364
Location: 9(IN,KY,MI)
Joined: Jan 09, 2003
Posts: 1274
Year: 1978
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 4:48 pm Post subject:
Are you doing the bushings yourself? If so, are you buying new upper control arm shafts, or reusing the old ones? _________________ 1978 El Camino Conquista/SS, F-41 suspension, 350/T5/3:73
(More pics on pg 6 of 5th gen members rides)
There's really no reason to replace the upper control arm shaft. It's not a wear item. All it usually needs is just a few minutes on a wire wheel to clean it up before you install the new bushings. I've never replaced the shaft when I've re-bush the arms.
_________________ Ernie
87 El Camino
"To be Old and Wise, you must first be Young and Stupid"
Necoa #: 364
Location: 9(IN,KY,MI)
Joined: Jan 09, 2003
Posts: 1274
Year: 1978
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 7:45 pm Post subject:
87ElCamino wrote:
There's really no reason to replace the upper control arm shaft. It's not a wear item. All it usually needs is just a few minutes on a wire wheel to clean it up before you install the new bushings. I've never replaced the shaft when I've re-bush the arms.
I was asking 'cuase I was getting ready to do just that. I just finished up, and the came out just fine. Melting the rubber with a torch is the ticket I was being told by someone here at work that is was less hassle to go with a new shaft. _________________ 1978 El Camino Conquista/SS, F-41 suspension, 350/T5/3:73
(More pics on pg 6 of 5th gen members rides)
I was being told by someone here at work that is was less hassle to go with a new shaft.
The hassle is discovering you've put the shaft in backwards after you've pressed in both top bushings. _________________ Ernie
87 El Camino
"To be Old and Wise, you must first be Young and Stupid"
Normally, you wouldn't need to replace the shafts...however, I have work on a few cars where the owner drove around for years with completely worn out upper A frame bushings thus trashing the shafts.
By the way, burning the bushings out is stinky and messy with much dripping, flaming hot rubber. Easiest method to remove the old ones is an air hammer. Easiest to install is a press or a big socket and vise.
Necoa #: 499
Location: 19(AK,ID,OR,WA)
Joined: Jan 09, 2003
Posts: 314
Year: 1985
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 11:16 pm Post subject:
i didn't replace the upper control arm shaft.
I'm waiting a bit before i take pics because the springs are taking a bit to settle. It rides like a dream, and takes corners very well. The old shocks were worn, and the new ones go over bumps nice and smooth. _________________ 1985 El Camino Conquista 13.7 @ 99mph with 87octane
Easiest to install is a press or a big socket and vise.
I've made up a set of different diameter tubing spacers (1.75", 2.5", etc.) kind of like the spacers for a lower ball joint press. I use them with my big bench vise to R&R the upper and lower bushings.
I agree about burning the bushings out. Not only is it dangerous but a snoot-full of burning rubber fumes is not an enjoyable high.
_________________ Ernie
87 El Camino
"To be Old and Wise, you must first be Young and Stupid"
Necoa #: 364
Location: 9(IN,KY,MI)
Joined: Jan 09, 2003
Posts: 1274
Year: 1978
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed May 07, 2003 1:57 pm Post subject:
Burning the bushings out wasn't all that bad. Plus, I did it at work, so I didn't stink out my own stuff _________________ 1978 El Camino Conquista/SS, F-41 suspension, 350/T5/3:73
(More pics on pg 6 of 5th gen members rides)
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