New SHO project update

[PastaPirate13]

Greetings, I haven't posted much due to being so busy with work but I'll have a couple weeks off soon. Which is good since this is going to need quite a bit of work. I got it up on jack stands to put some tires on it and discovered the ball joints are likely the original ones that came on the car from the factory. I'm honestly surprised they haven't given up, the right side lower joint doesn't even have a boot, it's just completely gone and the joint is exposed. Needless to say it'll be down until at least those are replaced, parts should arrive this Monday. Looks like it'll be a whole new brake and suspension system for this one.

 

[luigisho]

Huh. Blue struts used to be the color of Tokico but maybe those are the blue monroes? That suspension reminds me of some of my cars. Good luck. All that rust brings back bad memories

 

[zak]

On my For Sale thread I have some front tension struts with the original red bushings (SHO grade), but make sure the pockets for them aren't rusted in the front subframe

 

[Irish Pride]

Huh. Blue struts used to be the color of Tokico but maybe those are the blue monroes? That suspension reminds me of some of my cars. Good luck. All that rust brings back bad memories

Those aren't Tokico blue. Like you said, the blue Monroe or maybe Gabriel.

-Chad

 

[PastaPirate13]

Aright, parts have arrived and LCA and outer tie rod replacement begins soon. Hopefully it'll all go smoothly and I'll have it back on the road in time for a Saturday night cruise. Pics and such will follow soon.

 

[PastaPirate13]

Ok so I ended up starting later than I wanted and of course nothing goes smoothly. I got the left side LCA loose but can't get it to come off all the way, on the right side the nut in the middle of the arm doesn't even want to come loose. Anyone else done this job before? Any tips and tricks would be appreciated.

 

[luigisho]

Do you have power/air tools? Torches? A nutcracker? I'd say cut it but you probably don't want to damage the threads. If you have to cut it a small cut off wheel or even a handful of dremel cut off wheels might work. This is the stuff I had to deal with years ago when I had rusty undercarriage cars also. Made me shop out of the area for the other cars I bought after. Is the nut stuck or is it stuck and the strut rod is turning? If the thing is stuck and the rod is spinning, you have to clamp onto the flat spot on the rod and hold it still while you torque the heck out of the nut at the same time.

 

[Irish Pride]

Get yourself some more leverage. What are you using to try and remove it? Spray the nut down with some PB Blaster and let it soak while you do something else. Use a half inch breaker bar with a pipe over the handle for the added leverage.

-Chad