Well after 45 years of faithfull service the front end parts got replaced on my 67 Cutlass Holiday Coupe. New lower ball joints, lower round bushings, new springs, new stabilizer link kit.

Project started at 1:30 in the afternoon done by 7, I did not get a chance to get to the upper ball joints as it got late, and with the rivets still holding in the originals, it would have taken probably another 2 hours. So they will have to wait a couple of week.

I found that even though the ball joints are 45 years old and 129k miles they were still in great shape with the exception of the boots. The lower bushings on the other hand were well worn.

The springs I used were for a wagon or convertable and lifted the front to almost 29" from the floor to the wheel lip on the fender. They raised the car a full 3" and gave it the stance I was looking for.

No MAW"S!

Parts list:

Moog 5272 Springs $98.79
Moog K6076 Lower Round Bushings $31.50
Moog K5103 Lower Ball Joints $45.58
Moog K5108 Upper Ball Joints $37.40
Moog K8266 Sway Bar Links $8.02

Total with freight and discount $241.32

Parts were sourced from Rockauto, it was a very easy transaction. Hands down even with the freight they were well under the local parts stores prices!

 

MAW remove the A-arms for a sandblasting and nice coat of paint...

But then, the frame is really accessibly for a nice paint job...

 

I would have done that however this is a daily driver, so all the cleaning and painting would have been a waste of time, because in a few weeks it would look just as it does now.

 

I drive my 72 everyday, just not in the winter, and the paint is still looking pretty good after a couple months.

 

Glad you got it done Eric! Are you bragging or complaining about the MAWs??

Not bad pricing either. If I ordered that up here the shipping would prolly make it way too expensive and cheaper to buy local.

Need to remind you - Where's your camera?? When you do a project like this you just KNOW we want to see pics of the results. I'm sure you have a before and after shot.

 

Ooooh definatly bragging about the no MAW's part. I'm extremely proud of me, that I did not get afflicted. Allen I know you are disappointed on me not doing a step by step, I was on a timetable and this job had been covered on numerous posts in the past. As of yet, no after pictures, but the before is in my signature.

I ran out of time for the upper ball joints, they aren't too bad so not really in a hurry, I changed the upper A frame bushings 3 years ago when I got the beast as they were missing.

I will say this, the torch saved me a lot of time with the bushings.

 

Thought so!! No I'm not disappointed at all. I was just wondering if you had a set of pics that showed off the new stance you wanted, that's all. Believe it or not I do understand time mgmt on projects. Just that since I'm retired I don't have the other constraints that you and other do. I'm sure you'll get around to taking the pic and posting it. We all know what a new set of springs and ball joints looks like, so that's not really important. Besides, like you said it's a DD and will not look new for long.

 

I'll have some new pics ready before the weekend, this time I want to take the pic's somewhere scenic in the sun so the Color does not look like Air Force Blue. Like you said in the pic at the State Park with Rob, that Imperial Blue pops.

 

Sounds good! I'll be watching. Ha, you should have 3 pics in your sig line. a) the pink car, b) the air force blue car, c) the color pop car! From the looks of your sig pic you have a really nice property for background shots!

 

I like the idea of raising the car up.
They look meaner to me.
In a time where everyone is slamming them on the ground.
A nice change of pace. Kudos!

 

Great job at keeping the maws at bay.
Post some pics to prove your work!

 

OK finally got around to refurbing the upper control arms. As I explained, ran out of time when I did the lowers a few weeks back.

I can't believe all the ball joints on this car were original and not worn out, just the boots were blown out. Bushings on the other hand were pretty wasted. The car drives very nice now, can't wait to get it aligned, and take some pic's.

 

That is quick work. It would take me at least 2 weeks do to MAW's

 

Eric I wanna see some pics I need to get mine aligned still. I did the camber on my own but the rest I can't do...looking forward to see where you get yours done and how well they do.

 

That was the story of mine too, good joints but blown out. It started the front end rebuild going. Glad you were able to focus in on what you needed and get it done. Like others, I still want to see pics of that gorgeous paint in the sun, plus the new stance! Wondered where you had been the last little while.

 

If you did not wuss out on the Glen Rose visit , I could have loaned you my alignment jig! Then you could have returned it in January during your next visit for only the cost of a POA valve!

 

I'm never going to hear the end of it am I lol! I hear ya, but Joe has one and he's offered to come help me do it. Just gotta wait till he has time.

On this note, do you know why one wheel would be closer to the fender than the other? The driver's side tire is inside the fender by 3/4", the passenger is inside the fender only 1/4". I got the camber right, but would the caster affect that? I didn't think it would. It's almost like the body is on the car crooked...but I know for a fact it's never been wrecked, I'm the 2nd owner.

Sorry if we're hijacking your thread Eric, but at least we're keeping it up at the top for you

 

Hijack away.

 

You are right about the first part!
Try measuring from the frame to the body under each front door to see if it is off.

 

Ok, better late than never, pic's!

Parts list:

Moog 5272 Springs $98.79
Moog K6076 Lower Round Bushings $31.50
Moog K5103 Lower Ball Joints $45.58
Moog K5108 Upper Ball Joints $37.40
Moog K8266 Sway Bar Links $8.02

Total with freight and discount $241.32

Parts were sourced from Rockauto, it was a very easy transaction. Hands down even with the freight they were well under the local parts stores prices!

Previously installed station wagon springs in the rear 3 years ago:

Moog CC507 Springs $84.99 From O'Reilly

 

Before pics:

 

Some additional pic's of the interior and the remaining pinstripes on the roof.

 

The car looks gorgeous Eric!
So for very little $$, you have a road safe car and you know it was done right. Bet that saved you close to 700.00 at a repair shop.

 

looks great man!!

 

Great pics Eric! Thanks for sharing! Amazing how much better these cars drive once the suspension is restored

 

Allan, I can only imagine what a shop would have charged. Thanks guys for the compliments.

I was hoping for a 1/2 inch more up front, and here are the measurements. The front measured from the floor to the center of wheel well lip and centered on the wheel, front is 28"/ rear is 29.5".

 

Eric, This is a great looking car! Thanks for sharing. I am getting ready to rebuild my front end as well. Any thoughts on poly bushings vs rubber? Also this is pretty much a stock rebuild but receptive to any performance upgrades that look pretty stock. I know you chose s/w springs for ride height. ( I love the stance) but how do you know if springs need changing. My car doesn't appear to sag but after 40 years do you just say its time?

 

As far as ride height , there are measurements listed in the chasis manual. On the poly vs stock bushings, I prefer the stock, over the years for what I want the stocks work pretty well. Plus the ones in mine lasted over 40 years.

Btw your car looks very nice!