Front suspension rebuild!!!

[Teds89IROC]

Got the k-member, rad. support, and front wheel wells painted today:













The paint is the same used on the control arms, original satin. Even now at 1:40am the paint is still wet so once it dries completely it won't be glossy anymore. Now that I'm back to reality (school and work) the weekends are my only time to finish up so hopefully I'll be back on the road and aligned shortly.

[maroman88]

looookin goooooood, wish i had time to do my 88 like this lol

[Blacdout96]

wow,quite the difference. nice job man

[maroman88]

upon thinking about that rot problem u had i may pull out my inner liners and take a peek back there! clean it up and apply some rubber undercoating

[Blacdout96]

I just applied some ol' undercoat to the maro a couple weeks back. There was a small rust spot, adn I poked it, adn it turned out to be a big rust problem. Luckely it didnt rust through, just surface, so I got the dremel out, cleaned it all up till the undercoating had a silverish color instead of brown, use the rust preventer,a dn then undercoated it, hopefully I wont have to go through that again.

[maroman88]

well thanks a bunch ted! i pulled that inner fender and a small 1x2inch glob of rust fell out, didnt rot thru yet tho so thanks for brining it to my attention, tomarrow ill finish cleaning it up and and undercoat it, then its off to the passenger side

[Teds89IROC]

haha I'm glad you caught it before it became a bigger problem!

Update:

Got the control arms back on:


As well as both front springs, spindles, struts, calipers/rotors:


With the whole assemble off the car I couldn't break the bolts loose to seperate the strut from the spindle to repaint them. They only have maybe 3000 miles on them but because the car sits they developed surface rust, so after alignment I can get them off the car and repaint them silver.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by Teds89IROC

With the whole assemble off the car I couldn't break the bolts loose to seperate the strut from the spindle to repaint them. They only have maybe 3000 miles on them but because the car sits they developed surface rust, so after alignment I can get them off the car and repaint them silver.

Ted-

KYB GR-2's, right? Mine did the exact same thing and they look like ass now. I don't think they were "painted" as much as they were just "dusted" when they were made.

[maroman88]

my GR2's are starting to look like that after maybe 5 years

[SteveR]

Looking good! Did you sand down the a-arms/k-member before repainting?

[//<86TA>\\]

*cough*brakeupgrade*cough*
________
Bondage black

[deadtrend1]

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\

*cough*brakeupgrade*cough*

*cough*F-Body Big Brake Upgrades*cough*

[//<86TA>\\]

*cough*edmiller on TGO*sneeze*
________
Infant Care Advice

[Featherburner]

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\

*cough*edmiller on TGO*sneeze*

Sounds like you're coming down with something. You better get some rest.

[//<86TA>\\]

Originally Posted by Featherburner

Sounds like you're coming down with something. You better get some rest.

________
Paxil Lawsuit

[Teds89IROC]

Yup, those are the GR2's and I agree with you Bill, they probably were just "dusted." I guess that partially explains the low cost lol. I ruffed up the k-member/control arms and got off any real chunks or flaking before I painted them. I used this chassis restorer which is meant to go over rust/bare metal and its suppose to match factory original undercoat minus the rubber. I guess I'll find out in a couple months if it does really stop rust lol. I'm confident it will, its really strong stuff and was recommended by the auto body supplier I use. As far as the brakes, bigger brakes require $$$ lol, so they'll be the next project to save up for. I'm a poor college student trying to graduate so all in good time. I did however replace all the calipers/rubber lines within the last 3 years, and the front rotors and bearings within the last year so they all function to their capacity at least.

[edpontiac91]

That is one COST $$$$ project that will have to wait for me. The STOCK rear disc brakes are garbage. The emergency brake will not hold and they barely apply any pressure when the brake is applied. I have replaced the master cylinder, new rotors, new pads and used the special instructions on how to adjust the parking brake play, but to no avail. The 1LE brake package would be awesome, but I will go with the aftermarket design when the money allows.

[Teds89IROC]

Update: Got the sway bar, end links, wonder bar, center link, outer/inner tie rods, and idler arm put together. Now I just need to bleed the brakes and the front is done! Next is the rear springs and sway bar which is cake and it's off to alignment!

[deadtrend1]

Did you grind the fans for the wonderbar? Can you take close pics of it near the fan bolts??? PWEASSSSEEE???

[chrisfrom nj]

looks great ted good job

[Teds89IROC]

Thanks Chris!

Tim, I can get a pic for you tomorrow when I'm back home. I had to grind the plastic down a little bit which was no problem with the air grinder, but I also had to lengthen the bolt holes on one side of the bar which was a PITA.

[deadtrend1]

Thats what I figured Ted. Like I said, I had the UMI and sent it back and bought the TDS one. Just didn't know how much you had to grind.

Why couldn't they make one that just ..... fit. ya know?

[edpontiac91]

Originally Posted by deadtrend1

Thats what I figured Ted. Like I said, I had the UMI and sent it back and bought the TDS one. Just didn't know how much you had to grind.

Why couldn't they make one that just ..... fit. ya know?

I don't know about the UMI or TDS or the WTF brands, but I installed a STOCK GM IROC WONDERBAR on the 1991 Formula and it fit without a single problem!

[deadtrend1]

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

I don't know about the UMI or TDS or the WTF brands, but I installed a STOCK GM IROC WONDERBAR on the 1991 Formula and it fit without a single problem!

yea, stock ones fit, along with the TDS ones, couple other brands. The oversized ones like UMI or Spohn sell, are too big and they never tell you you have to grind your fans to make it fit.

[maroman88]

looks effin sweeet