For those of you just joining...
For those of you just joining us, here's a quick recap. A few months ago, we completely disassembled the front end of our "Son of Zombie" project '87.
We've spent the past few months improving our Corvette's front-end components on a cosmetic level. In this installment, we finally get down to the more serious business of a front-suspension overhaul.
For parts, we turned once again to the C4 experts at Corvette Central. The CC folks supplied us with what they call their Front Suspension Rebuild Kit with VBP Polyurethane Bushing Conversion (Part Number 574629). This all-encompassing package included fresh, factory-spec replacements for all of our C4's worn-out suspension components, along with a full complement of Vette Brakes & Products high-performance polyurethane bushings.
With our parts spread out on the garage floor in front of us, we began the process of reconstruction. While the job required no small amount of time and effort to complete, we're quite pleased with the final result. And now that the two halves of the front end are back together, all that is left to address is the steering. Stay tuned.
Seen here, the engine/suspension...
Seen here, the engine/suspension cradle was removed and disassembled...
...then shot with Auto-Air...
...then shot with Auto-Air Colors "Rock Star Red" paint. Comparable to Corvette Torch Red, this shade is packed with metal flake for maximum visual impact.
Our next step was to give...
Our next step was to give the car's chassis the same treatment.
With that finished, it was...
With that finished, it was time to move on to the suspension.
Disassembly is fairly simple....
Disassembly is fairly simple. Remove all the accessories...
...and take your upper and...
...and take your upper and lower control arms to a local machine shop. Shown here is one of our lower arms with its joints pressed out and its bushings removed. It cost us around $40 for this relatively quick operation.
If you want to keep this as...
If you want to keep this as an "at home" operation, be prepared to spend awhile drilling out the old bushings...
...and upper-A-arm rivets...
...and upper-A-arm rivets.
When it comes to the lowers,...
When it comes to the lowers, unless you have a hydraulic press, you're pretty much stuck with outsourcing. Here is ours with the new ball joint installed.