Suspension Rebuild on a Budget

[pyroman]

My suspension is really worn out on my 67, it squeaks, rattles, floats, sags etc. I don't have the budget to blow a ton of money on modernizing the current suspension so I'd like to do this on a slimmer budget. My goal for this is just to tighten up the ride, give it some better road holding characteristics make it less wafty, and get rid of the numb feeling it has so that I can drive it around with confidence as I continue to restore it. I probably wouldn't worry about this if I could trailer it around but unfortunately I don't have that ability yet.

So enough rambling, this is what I have on my mind so far:

- Leaf springs
- Shocks all the way around
- Upper ball joints
- Coil springs
- Bushings bushings bushings (so many to list)

The lower control arms are fairly new (< 3 years old)

So thats the basics, what would you add? What are your thoughts?

 

[2+2GT]

Have a pro look it over. Things don't wear out at the same rate. You might have bad UCA shafts, good lower ball joints, good tie rod ends, and bad idler arm. Springs aren't an issue unless they are sagged.

 

[Z06killinSBF]

Try the springs first. Easy enough to change the other stuff out as you go.

 

[afreejack]

I've seen some suspension kits on ebay that didn't seem too unreasonable to me. These kits include shocks, springs, coils, steering linkage, etc..might be something to look into if you haven't already.

 

[kylehamilton79]

I just finished replacing my entire front suspension with stock replacement parts. New UCAs, new LCAs, new 1" drop springs, shocks, strut rod bushings and bolts, and inner and outer tire rod ends with new sleeves. I also bought the Shelby drop template and drilled the new holes for the UCA. My car handles better than I could possibly drive it. It made a huge difference. I just decided to replace everything so I wouldn't have to do a single part at a time later.

I think I spent about $700 for the whole front suspension, but I bought a few parts at a time from different places.

 

[jackson0215]

You are better off replacing everything. The parts are not too expensive as long as you stay stock. If you piece it together you will be in an endless cycle of replacing parts.

 

[Grabber70Mach]

I would talk to John at Opentracker Racing Products
Great guy, better to do it right the first time with quality parts, he won't oversell you just to make a buck.

 

[EP429]

I would talk to John at Opentracker Racing Products
Great guy, better to do it right the first time with quality parts, he won't oversell you just to make a buck.

+1 John is great, I'd be willing to pay more for his service

 

[jackson0215]

One thing to remember is that if you do this yourself you need to be extremely careful when removing and installing the springs. Do not give into temptation and use an impact wrench to compress them, it is not worth the busted knee caps (or worse)that you will endure.

 

[68RCodeConv]

You are better off replacing everything. The parts are not too expensive as long as you stay stock. If you piece it together you will be in an endless cycle of replacing parts.

+1
+2
+3
+4
You get the idea.

Contact Opentracker. He will steer you right. You do not want to be pulling the springs over and over.

 

[pyroman]

Thanks for the tips guys, I think I'll give John a call over at OpenTrackracer. I might as well just do it all at once, probably be cheaper in the long run. Now I just have to fight off the urge to spend all my tax money on a suspension overhaul