[DML] Front Suspension

["Todd Nelson" <tan5732@xxxxxxx>]

List:

I'm finally getting around to rebuilding the one system on my car that I have not done anything with, the suspension!  Currently it is 100% stock and very obviously so.  My question for you all is actually a few...

1. I plan to replace both upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends and would like some advice on the best way to remove them.  Keep in mind I will be taking out both upper and lower control arms.  Is a pickle fork really the only way to do this?  If possible I would like to salvage the old pieces.

2. From what I can see (and what I've read) the upper ball joints are held to the control arm by means of 4 rivet type fasteners.  I've read that when reinstalling new upper ball joints, nuts and bolts can be used in their place.  Is this true?  And if so, what type/grade bolt should be used.  Is there a vendor that supplies these?

3. In my suspension investigation I finally found my odd rattling sound, it turned out to be my right-front shock was lose where it attaches to the shock tower.  Unfortunately from being loose so long the excess wiggling seems to have worn away at the hole in the shock tower where the shock bolts through.  This has made it seemingly impossible to keep the shock from wiggling around inside.  This may be fixed when I replace the shocks and get new bushings in that area, but I'm wondering if there are any other suggestions on how to repair this area.

4. Since I will have all of the control arms, stabilizer bar, and rear links removed I plan to have them sand blasted and powder coated.  Is there anything I should tell the powder coater?  Such as parts of the control arms and rear links to not get any powder on?  I would think the area where the bushings are pressed into place would need to stay bare metal, as well as where the lower ball joint is pressed in place.

Thanks!

Todd Nelson
1561, Vermont
http://www.rit.edu/~tan5732


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