Last weekend I successfully got my rear end installed. But along the way there were a few unexpected surprises - the biggest one was getting the axle bushing out for the UCA. I pulled it off, but it took much longer than I expected (and introduced me to some muscles that had long been dormant).
This weekend the front end work is to be completed. Everything is coming off so I can do the following: replace stock LCA with QA-1 tubular (the QA-1 K-member is already installed). The springs are coming out to be replaced by coil-overs, and then it all has to be put back together and drivable by sundown (which will include some crude adjustment to at least the camber so that I can drive it for an alignment).
So - what will be the biggest challenges that I'm going to face that I haven't yet anticipated? I'm really just your average Joe as far as tools are concerned, and next to last weeks work on the rear suspension, this will be my biggest job to date.
Let me help by asking some easy (I hope) questions:
1) The QA-1 tubular CAs have heim joints at the end. The brief directions say to grease these before installing. Should I use some of the all purpose moly grease I already have, the grease for wheel bearings, or something else?
2) Same question as 1, but pertaining to the ball joint
3) I bought a two jaw puller to remove the tie rods. Is this pretty straight forward, or are there struggles that lie waiting for me? Same goes for the spindle; once I remove the crown bolt (and tie rods of course), will it slide right off? Do the brakes slide right off, or do they have to be compressed first?
4) How much will the caster/camber change in switching from the stock spring set-up to coil-over? Can I adjust C/C with weight on the wheels, or do I have to jack the car up each time I want to test a new setting?
Those are the questions I can think of now. But please - anyone that's done this - chime in with your sage advice. I'd really appreciate it.
This weekend the front end work is to be completed. Everything is coming off so I can do the following: replace stock LCA with QA-1 tubular (the QA-1 K-member is already installed). The springs are coming out to be replaced by coil-overs, and then it all has to be put back together and drivable by sundown (which will include some crude adjustment to at least the camber so that I can drive it for an alignment).
So - what will be the biggest challenges that I'm going to face that I haven't yet anticipated? I'm really just your average Joe as far as tools are concerned, and next to last weeks work on the rear suspension, this will be my biggest job to date.
Let me help by asking some easy (I hope) questions:
1) The QA-1 tubular CAs have heim joints at the end. The brief directions say to grease these before installing. Should I use some of the all purpose moly grease I already have, the grease for wheel bearings, or something else?
2) Same question as 1, but pertaining to the ball joint
3) I bought a two jaw puller to remove the tie rods. Is this pretty straight forward, or are there struggles that lie waiting for me? Same goes for the spindle; once I remove the crown bolt (and tie rods of course), will it slide right off? Do the brakes slide right off, or do they have to be compressed first?
4) How much will the caster/camber change in switching from the stock spring set-up to coil-over? Can I adjust C/C with weight on the wheels, or do I have to jack the car up each time I want to test a new setting?
Those are the questions I can think of now. But please - anyone that's done this - chime in with your sage advice. I'd really appreciate it.