All Festiva Weekend!!!

[boostmaster]

Hopefully the weather will be as predicted this weekend and we will finally be able to do a few things!

I will be attempting to install/repair the following:

1. Full front suspension bushing kit from FMS
2. New Strut Mounts from FMS
3. New Struts from FMS
4. Possibly a few A/C componenets that I've been trying to get right
5. Hopefully drop the gas tank and repair the rusty seam.
6. Mount my new 15 x 6 " steel wheel/tire combo!!!:p

I am wondering most about the suspension. I have never done suspension work so I'm not sure what I need to know in advance. Should I have any special tools? I have the standard compliment of tools but not many specialty tools. I am also stocked on the requsite amount of beer for my project weekend.

If anyone can provide input, it would be greatly appreciated. I will be stopping at the parts store to rent ot buy whatever tools I need. I am asking in advance of the start of the project so that I won't have to stop to run to the store.


TIA

[TominMO]

Stuph yewl need

You'll need a pair of spring compressors for a strut assembly. Some PB Blaster or equivalent would be a good idea for any stubborn bolts, like maybe the ones at the bottom of all four struts.

[ejp2fast]

take before and after pics.. also, measure the ground to the top of the fender before and after.... FMS says its 35mm... would be good to check.

[boostmaster]

Well, it’s Sunday evening and Festiva weekend has turned out to be more like Fiasco weekend. Almost everything that could go wrong did. Generally, I expect this as nothing ever seems to cooperate with me.

I pre-planned everything and had all of the parts I figured I would need as well as the special tools like the spring compressor and the pickle fork and a new can of pb blaster.
Since my A/C project is on hold, I figured I’d install the new front end parts as well as the struts and the new shoes which have been inspired by thirdman and his recent wheel project.

I put the car on stands and pulled the wheels. I took pics of everything first to make sure I would not forget anything. First issue we had was when we pulled the passenger side strut, we discovered that the spring was actually broken! My neighbor suggested cutting it. I have no intention of lowering the car so the ”boss” called around to find some new springs… No luck. I told her we’d address that later.

Then when we tried to attach the new control arm with the new fat bushings it would not cooperate so we put it on a vise and used a C Clamp on the other side. It worked but the threads were cross threaded! We tried the other side and the small backing plate broke loose and would not let us screw the nut on and it looked to have been cross threaded as well! :angry5:

We finally gave up on it and called it a day. This morning we took a drive to TN to our favorite junk yard and pulled some new front springs and a new front sway bar. We got home and installed nearly everything flawlessly. Until we got to the easy bolt on the driver side control arm which decided it would strip out inside it’s little hole. We got it out but that took quite a while, then the tie rod end decided it would not come loose for anything and is still refusing to budge. We have soaked it with blaster but it’s still uncooperative.
I will need to swing by the hardware store tomorrow and buy some replacement stuff. If anyone has any suggestions please chime in…

[freshtiva]

This wont help now but the next time you are going to do this kind of work buy the PB baster a month before you start the job. Then every couple of days go out and spray every nut and bolt you see up until you are ready to do the work. The LCA weld nut is a common problem. What you can do is cut a small square where the weld nut is and install a regular nut on the back side.

[FestYboy]

smack the steering arm where the tierod goes in with a 3lb mini sledge. i garuntee it (sp).

[boostmaster]

Use a BFH on the tie rod end??? I Like how you think. I guess I'll try that. I was trying to use a wrench to hold the arm while twisitng the tie rod end. It' didn't work. The other side came off easliy.

BTW, in my rebuild kit, the new arms are included but I did replace on the other side becaus the boot looks good and everything else seemed to be cooperating.

Does anyone have any pics or info on pulling the boot and just replacing the whole arm instead of fighting with this end?

[bravekozak]

seized

I hate when everything seizes up. My used to work for Pennwalt. They made chemical specialties plus greases and lubricants for Esso. The one product I liked best, was the anti-seize compound which is essentially aluminum or stainless steel flake in oil. Have you ever wondered why they don't put a little of the stuff on at the factory?

[boostmaster]

Well, after several fruitless attempts to remove the tie rod end I've decided to simply replace the whole arm. I cut the rubber boot and discovered that the arm is pinned in with some sort of clamp. I am not sure how it's supposed to come out.

Any one have any suggestions?

[freshtiva]

Are you talking about the inner tie rod ? If so it unscrews but has a roll pin that will have to be removed first.

These things at the top of picture ?

[boostmaster]

Yes. It's exactly the top rods in your pic.

I cannot find any rolled pin. There is also a gold colored "bracket" that holds the squared off ends of the rod.

Can you describe the how and where of removing and repairing?

[freshtiva]

Yeah, but you wont like it, I took the steering rack off. Id say it would be difficult to do it on the car but I think some people have. Let me see if I can find some pics.

[freshtiva]

OK I found this pic. If you look to the very right of the "rack" of the " rack and pinion" on the top you can barely see the hole the lock pin goes in. I drilled mine out. Then you'll have to get a wrench on the hex part of the inner tie rod and unscrew it. It wont be easy !! I got my biggest pipe wrench with a cheater bar on it while it was clamped in a vise and it was still hard. Id say getting the outer tie rod end off would have to be easier.

[freshtiva]

I can get you a better pic if you need it.

[boostmaster]

Well, that's not good. I guess I cut the old boot off for nothing!

I have a new one to put on but it's gonna be a pain in the arse since I still can't get the old tie rod end off.

I used PB Blaster, heated the end up with my torch, smacked it with a hammer and still no give. Any other ideas????