Front end rebuild

[Adam]

I have decided to rebuild my front suspension on my 1980 - ie. worn  bushes, leaky brake etc.

I know some of you guys have done it before, and I'd like to do a good job of aswell. I'd want to take the whole front body panel off to alow better access to suspension (and do a better job on earlier body repair work- or maybe replace it entierly). Also to give access to the whole cowl area and do a proper job of that.

So far I haven't found any info on the removal of the whole one piece body panel so any advice on this is very much appeciated. As well as any other tips and articles anyone knows of.

I've never done suspension/steering work before so it'll be a learning experience, but id like to gather up any info I can before I start.

thanks!

Adam

[Brutus]

Adam...Forget about removing your front bodyclip as a whole and expect to reuse it again....it can't be done! If you want to replace it with a completely new panel then that's a different thing, but from what little I know about it, the front body work has to be cut to gain access to the bonding strips that hold it to the car.
I did my own front end suspension rebuild a while ago so I may be able to help you there a little.

[69 DIRTY RAT]

I know its a hassle to get to stuff with the clip on but like Brutus said its easier to get a pro - glass repairer to make/fix the front end clip.It saves a lot of hassle and cost.
Also buy a front end rebuild kit from the US,it comes with everything you need. I got someone to install all my bushes etc for about 300 -$400. Its a lot less stress!

[Ausrs]

http://www.energysusp.com.au/
try this link for energy suspension
australian agent

[Adam]

I've pretty much taken most of the front end off, including bumpers, headlights, bumper frame, radiator and fan then I spy somthing sus under the power steering pump. I take it off and see this:







Its a lower control arm attachment. Looks like its been that way for years! Fortunatly its not rust related but sheesh! If you havent checked your front suspension DO IT NOW, this car has been in various shops for either ball joints and standard alignments and noones seen it (its fairly hidden normally)) so dont assume anything.

The cross member is 2 peice and this looks like its hanging (and bending) the lower peice. Some parts looks like its almost cut! The other side looks good but if anyone has any pics of this component in their cars id love to see it (just to get that 3rd opinion).

Thanks for the suspension site, looks like a full suspension rebuild kit is in order- by the looks of my bushes im suprised it wasnt clanging.

I'm still keen on taking off the whole front clip, ive pretty much got it loose except for around the doors (maybe they'll need to come off) There seems to be a lot of ancient bog holding it.

Actually, im thinking of slightly altering the front end- thats a big job and for that reason and in the interests of finding and fixing more gremlins id still like to take it off.:ado

Adam

[77CVT]

If you are gonna take the front clip off you may as well take the body off.  I haven't done either but I expect there is not much difference.  I have a checklist somewhere of what to do for a body off if you want it.

Front suspension is easy - I did my old '77 easy enough.  Just make sure those lower control arm bolts have locktight on them!  :b2

[Cameron 77C3]

Originally posted by WHITE RIDER
I've pretty much taken most of the front end off, including bumpers, headlights, bumper frame, radiator and fan then I spy somthing sus under the power steering pump. I take it off and see this:



 

This is caused by the bushes binding in the lower control arm and literally twisting the bracket off and tearing the welds.  I've seen it alot.  Caught mine before it got to bad, when I was at that stage of my rebuild.

Big job you got in front off you.

Keep us posted. ;-)

[Adam]

Well I got the front off. Pretty straight forward, messy but doable without destroying the panel. The door needs to come off- from there its just chiseling at the bog, and 3 rivets below the windshild.

Heres the panel, you can see where the bog/glue was stuck onto it. I could have retained the crossbar (where the bonnet seal sits- the bar is glued like everything else- but I have other plans...:evil

[Adam]

The car:

Pretty messy in there:an Note the actuator and door for the air inlet that had to be removed first (sitting on my air filter)

[Cameron 77C3]

Well done.  Do you have a shot showing the complete clip, both sides?  How about a shot showing the car without the clip.

[MJ355]

throw a big block in it will your at it;28;28

[Adam]

Well here's the whole car, or as much as I can get standing as far back as I can!

Looks like a dune buggy or somthing:{

I have no shots of the clip whole. I've actually transported and stored the front clip elsewhere (a relatives factory/warehouse) as soon as I took the other shot- I literally have no room here. After I finish doing the car I'll get to the clip and get stuck into that ( refix dodgy glass repair work and a respray is in order)



Adam

[69 DIRTY RAT]

Hurry up and get back on the road! How long will it take?

[MJ355]

that looks like a big job bro

[Cameron 77C3]

Thanks for the pics.  Whats the hose going into the top of the air filter? ;ay

[Adam]

Taking this apart thus far has shown exactly how they saved money. For all the bog and glue they put on (and theres a TON of it) there is only a very few spots where it was touching the panels. The welds around the suspension are pretty dodgy- and as a result ive spotted a few possible weld cracks here and there (not including the major breakage mentioned earlier).

As soon as the suspension goes off, I'll be looking over every weld with a fine tooth comb- welding where neccicery and possibly welding where things SHOULD have been welded.

Not sure how long itll take to get back on the road, probably at least a month. Of course there are certain things I'll be doing that will remain TOP SECRET until finished:evil

The hose is part of the LPG system. The gas "carburetor" sits inside the air filter. This system then sits on a standard carburretor with existing throttle linkage etc. On the other end of the hose is the vaporiser/regulator that basicly turns LPG into a gas. Youll note that its hooked up to the water pump which prevents the vaporiser from freezing.

Adam

[69 DIRTY RAT]

WOOHOO another top secret project!!!!!