Suspension Work

[cooldude919]

Working on getting the front suspension fixed up and back together along with cleaning up the wheel wheels so i can get the front wheels back on the car to move it outside to do some work on it easier.

Working on cleaning up the upper control arm
Before

Air Grinder,

During,

After with ball joint removed. Will be getting new moog ball joint from rockauto this week.

Difference, with new bushing to go in,

12 ton shop press from harbor freight for $80

Front and rear suspension end links along with OEM front suspension kit. Wanted to replace lower control arm and it was cheaper to get the whole kit, got them for $100 each shipped.

 

[joescool2008]

Looks good man .

 

[420aNEWB]

wow nice i need to do that on my gsx.

 

[1997gsx4sr]

Looks nice! You must have all the tools to get these done on your own.

 

[cooldude919]

Looks nice! You must have all the tools to get these done on your own.

Ill be honest in that it was a pain. For whatever reason the snap ring on the ball joint didnt have any holes for snap ring pliers, so i had to rig something up with needle-nose and a flathead.
Also i need an airsaw or see if a metal cutting blade for my sawzall will work because cutting out the metal retainer with a hacksaw isnt much fun .
Finally i used a socket for the axle nut to help push the new bushing in because it kept going in at an angle and would pop out. Ill get some more detailed pics when i do the other side.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Looks good! Any tips on how to use the press? I have the same one, but have the hardest time get the bushings out...

 

[cooldude919]

Looks good! Any tips on how to use the press? I have the same one, but have the hardest time get the bushings out...

For these in specific i can suggest a few things, though it may apply to other items.

I leave the nut on the end to help make it more even on the press plates.

Line up the edges just right in the press plates (i use the 2 small or 2 large circiular indents on the plates) so just the edges of the arm are on the press plates, that way you can push it fully out without getting caught on the plates or anything. Overlap too litle of the edges and it will slide off the press plates.

For these the press arm was just the right size to get stuck in the arm after the rubber part came out, i had a heck of a time geting it unstuck the first time. On the second one i used a socket up agains the press arm small enough so it wouldnt get stuck.

Also the old bushing will flex out the botom A LOT before it actually breaks free, so this is why you need the room so it can freely come out the botom without hitting anything.