jimbr70

Yikes. OK, I have drive the 1970 Delta 88 twice for a grand total of 30 miles since she came home. 2nd outing involved tight turns in parking lot when it made loud "clanks". Left upper control arm bushings shot. Ate the left front tire - so I have 3 good Reliant Super Ride tires and one down to steel belt on edge.


Interesting luck:
Rock Auto has a lower ball joint but apparently not an upper.
Some folks said kits are bad - like from p-s-t.com?
And can't find a Reliant tire or any Reliant tires. They are 16 yrs old.... guess that tire is not made any more. Dang. $$$ for four new tires when just one is bad..... gotta go inspect the spare... fingers crossed it is a reliant so I can defer that cost. Suspension and A/C are enough for now!

oldcutlass

You need to replace the 16 year old tires they are not serviceable anymore. The upper ball joint is available through Rare Parts, RP10158 Ball Joint. They are expensive, I would first make sure yours is worn out.

stevengerard

upkeep stinks but as Eric stated replace all four tires they are old thus not safe.

joe_padavano

Unfortunately, certain steering, suspension, and brake parts for the 1965-1970 Olds full size cars are not being made at this time. The upper ball joints fall into this category. I rebuilt the front end on my 67 Delta last fall and got all the ball joints and bushings from RockAuto in new Moog parts EXCEPT the upper ball joints. I was able to source out-of-production US-made parts from MOBILEPARTS (on this site). Kanter sells Chinesium upper ball joints that will work but do not look like the originals.

cherokeepeople

thought he lost an upper a frame bushing??

oldcutlass

Info on your tires
http://www.trademarkia.com/reliant-78074783.html

oldolds88

yep that's what I read. should be able to source good poly bushings

jimbr70

Thanks for the Reliant link. I do have bad upper a-armbushings... I have to diagnose what all needs replacing - upper and lower bushings on both sides and maybe not ball joints.... task for to day - to diagnose

joe_padavano

And yet he ALSO asked about balljoints.

jimbr70

Am I confusing people? Definitely something wrong. wasn't sure how bad/what joints/bushings. Assumed all but after a close inspection, invited guru classic car guy over and re-checked and we agreed ball-joints are good to go. So upper and lower bushings, both sides. Getting estimate Tuesday then decide if I do or shop does the work.


First fight! Dang those hubcaps are not too cooperative. One went on as I remember hub cabs 8years ago... but one was so stubborn I thought the car was telling me she wants some American Cragar mags from the era!

jimbr70

Anyone know if a right side door mirror (manual adjust I'd guess) was offered on a 1970 Delta 88? Just maneuvering my driveway I find I miss not having one on this car. I'd put one on only if it was an option available... didn't want to hunt for one w/o knowing....

joe_padavano

Not from the factory, but a RH outside mirror package was available as a dealer-installed accessory. Ironically, it is the same mirror used on the 1968-1969 Cutlass and 442. Repros are available for that application. The GM part number is 983080 if you want to look for an NOS unit.

Notice that this 1970 has one.

jimbr70

Thanks!!

Olds64

If you have to disassemble the front suspension you MAW replace all the bushings and both ball joints... and the shocks while you're at it.

I agree with the others though. It's time to replace all of your tires. These are the ones I got for my 71 98 that originally called for J 78s.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes

It's hard to find tires for our cars that don't have an aggressive tread since these sizes are closest to modern SUV tires.

droptopron

To echo what everyone else has said on the tires, you shouldn't drive around on them. 16 years is past their useful life. Luckily, there are some options & they don't cost a fortune. When I bought my 442 the tires looked great but they were date stamped 2002 so I changed them.


https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes




Mine when I bought the car. Great tread & always garaged but they had to go.
59D43DE2-6D4D-4136-A98B-2039A594F9BC_zpsgtupmqrm.jpg

droptopron

If you act quick, there is a rebate on the Hankooks through 5/31


https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffe...FZCPswodZ2YGDw

joe_padavano

I just bought Hankook Optimo H724s in 235/75-15 for my wife's D88 on ebay for $164/pair delivered.

jimbr70

Ugh. A-Arm damaged from driving on bad joints. So it has been bad for a while. So doing balljoints too. Expect to be back on the road Wednesday, with AC, and headed to tire shop.