I finally got around to rebuilding the front end last week and installing the Aerostar front springs that I had bought over two years ago. Got the drivers side done, replaced the upper and lower control arm bushings and upper and lower ball joints and installed the Aerostar spring... ...new spring compared to the original... ...and then moved around to the passenger side. Unforunetly things didn't go as smoothly as the drivers side, had to break out the torch and cut off two of the four bolts holding the backing plate on and then cut the lower ball joint in half in order to remove the lower control arm. Finally got everthing off, I don't think that any of this stuff had been apart since 1956! The lower control arm is junk and will need to be replaced... Once again, I am waiting on parts!
That can be a tough job. When I di my 55 thunderbird, I was warned and complied to drop a length of heavy chain down thru the spring before trying to breaks these apart. It worked. Immense amount of power contained in that spring. So are you able to get a new or good used A arm reasonably?
Yes, I found a good used one for $50.00 plus the shipping. I have dealt with this guy in the past, parts are always as he descibes if not better. The only negative is he is in Idaho so shipping is a little higher. When I am going to separate the control arms I always place a floor jack under the lower control arm and leave about half an inch space between the two, loosen the nut on ball joint about the same distance and then use a pickle fork to loosen the ball joint and then lower the control arm with the jack.
Well now that you are fresh on your skills with front end work, wanna come put the new A arms on the Chevy for me? lol Looking good Jim! How much did the new springs bring the front end down?
Gee, you should of said something sooner Dave. I went to Little Rock Tuesday, I could of stopped by and replaced them for you on my way back home! I haven't gotten it back down on it's wheels yet but, if I remember correctly, it should drop it around 3 inches. I'll post some pictures of it when I get it done.
Finally got it back together and back on its wheels. The control arm that I bought out of Idaho didn't fit, the bushings were too big for the arm so we repaired my old one and I used it. Now I have to see if I can get my money back without a lot of hassle. Fingers crossed! I like the stance a whole lot better than before, must be a west coast thing... I'll get some better pictures this weekend once it stops raining.
What they call a "California Rake" and what I call the "perfect stance"! lol Just need to get the alignment done...
Yes. Got it home Wednesday, but have been gone the rest of the week, so haven’t been able to mess around with it. Will make its Conway road debut tomorrow going to work. Lol
The Jalopy Journal
