The restoration began once the movers left and the house was set-up. The first order of business was those brakes and the tired suspension. I ordered the parts from various vendors (Zip, Ecklers, Performance Brakes and Products and Corvette Central) to replace every part that is subject to wear. All bushings, bearings and ball joints were also targeted for replacement and all other parts were scheduled for a thorough cleaning while the brakes and suspension were being restored/corrected.
I started with the rear, found that the left spindle was spun (it is a splined shaft - my splines were no longer straight from excessive touque) the left rotor was in fact laterally out of true, the wheel bearings on the left were way out of tolerance (I could move it in and out about a full 1/4 inch!) and the brake caliper piston cylinder (stainless steel) on the left side had a 1/8 inch gouge in it's otherwise perfect surface. The right side was in pretty good shape, I had the rotor turned even though I could have skipped it. The spring had been modified with an extra leaf in between the first and second leaves. The added leaf caused the rear to sit about 2 inches too high and did not match the arch of the other leaves. The ride quality was also affected - bumps would launch passengers into the headliner. I removed the extra leaf and installed a new spring mount kit. This planted the rear end right where it belongs and smoothed out the ride over the bumpy stuff. The brake calipers responded well to a cylinder honing and new piston "rings" and seals. Stopping power is now what I expect from a four wheel disk system - and after nearly 800 miles I haven't needed to bleed the brakes yet!
The front suspension resto began as soon as the rear was complete. Again, all parts that are subject to wear (all bushings, bearings and ball joints) were to be replaced. After the complexity of the rear, the front was a snap - except for dissassembling the spindle from the ball joints on the right side of the car,... that was hell! I finally had to get out the dremel and cut the upper and lower ball joint studs. everything else was fairly uneventful - just the typical drudgery of cleaning and reassembling. I choose to install a new set of coils for the front while I was in there to ensure the correct ride hieght. I also added KYB gas adjust shocks for all corners as the shocks that were installed were of undeterminable age and quality.
End result? - I am pleased. I now look forward to every corner and dip in the road. Handling is tight and predictable. I find myself making up excuses to drive it and am actually considering allowing the wife a turn behind the wheel! After all, without her support, understanding and financial outlay approval none of this could have been accomplished.
I started with the rear, found that the left spindle was spun (it is a splined shaft - my splines were no longer straight from excessive touque) the left rotor was in fact laterally out of true, the wheel bearings on the left were way out of tolerance (I could move it in and out about a full 1/4 inch!) and the brake caliper piston cylinder (stainless steel) on the left side had a 1/8 inch gouge in it's otherwise perfect surface. The right side was in pretty good shape, I had the rotor turned even though I could have skipped it. The spring had been modified with an extra leaf in between the first and second leaves. The added leaf caused the rear to sit about 2 inches too high and did not match the arch of the other leaves. The ride quality was also affected - bumps would launch passengers into the headliner. I removed the extra leaf and installed a new spring mount kit. This planted the rear end right where it belongs and smoothed out the ride over the bumpy stuff. The brake calipers responded well to a cylinder honing and new piston "rings" and seals. Stopping power is now what I expect from a four wheel disk system - and after nearly 800 miles I haven't needed to bleed the brakes yet!
The front suspension resto began as soon as the rear was complete. Again, all parts that are subject to wear (all bushings, bearings and ball joints) were to be replaced. After the complexity of the rear, the front was a snap - except for dissassembling the spindle from the ball joints on the right side of the car,... that was hell! I finally had to get out the dremel and cut the upper and lower ball joint studs. everything else was fairly uneventful - just the typical drudgery of cleaning and reassembling. I choose to install a new set of coils for the front while I was in there to ensure the correct ride hieght. I also added KYB gas adjust shocks for all corners as the shocks that were installed were of undeterminable age and quality.
End result? - I am pleased. I now look forward to every corner and dip in the road. Handling is tight and predictable. I find myself making up excuses to drive it and am actually considering allowing the wife a turn behind the wheel! After all, without her support, understanding and financial outlay approval none of this could have been accomplished.
