How long to rebuild front end?

[GNRick]

I'll be taking an auto repair class in night school. The instructor told me we can do anything we want in 3 hours-class meets Tues. nights from 6:30 - 9:30PM. I would like to replace all bushings and ball joints in the front end of my 87 TR, including cleaning/painting the upper and lower control arms. Can this be done in 3 hours per side? Or should I trailer the car to class, just in case I don't get it done? Thanks.

 

[Boost231]

depending how much you know about rebuilding the front in it can be done. just rememeber you will need a realinement after your done.

 

[GNRick]

Yes, I knew about the alignment. I purchased a video tape from JC Whitney on how to rebuild the front end, so I am familiar with what needs to be done. Plus I'll have the teacher's help. Thanks for your reply.

 

[300kGN]

TRAILER IT! Thats always better than walking or hitching home if something doesn't go to plan. Then you can take your time, learn it right, do it right, let the paint dry, etc. Front coil springs are not foregiving if you're in a hurry. If you're worried about leaving the car overnight, just take a part home with you, coil pack, ecm, whatever.
I would strip parts from both sides, press in the new bushings/joints and paint one night, then reassemble the next night. Put your caster/camber shims back where they came from so you have a reasonable starting point.

 

[GNRick]

TRAILER IT! Thats always better than walking or hitching home if something doesn't go to plan. Then you can take your time, learn it right, do it right, let the paint dry, etc. Front coil springs are not foregiving if you're in a hurry. If you're worried about leaving the car overnight, just take a part home with you, coil pack, ecm, whatever.
I would strip parts from both sides, press in the new bushings/joints and paint one night, then reassemble the next night. Put your caster/camber shims back where they came from so you have a reasonable starting point.

Sounds like good advice. I bought a Meese 3" downpipe from a board member, should have it next week. I plan on installing the downpipe the first night. I'll talk with the teacher about options regarding trailering the car. I'm sure I can find a truck/trailer if I ask around. I definitely don't want to leave it at the high school shop!

 

[Boost231]

thats for sure. dont leave it there.

 

[d0n_3d]

3 hours? HA! I just finished tearing apart the stock 120k mile 20 year old front end and I think it took me 3 DAYS just to do that. Good luck but you won't get it done that quick. Bolts and bushings can be very stubborn when taking that crap apart. Now I'm getting ready to clean and paint the firewall and frame rails.

 

[300kGN]

Now thats a realist! Your right Don, Murphy's law definitely applies.

 

[SS_Sean]

I've rebuilt many front suspensions and I'm here to tell you a complete rebuild will take a day and a half if your are really humping it. Good luck to you, sir!! :biggrin:

 

[GNRick]

My instruction video gets one side done in a little over an hour. I guess that's the magic of television.

 

[Boost231]

its all about what tools you have and your experience level.

 

[Tony Shoaff]

Frt end

I did the frt end on my car last year. The upper and lower control arm bushings are the hardest to get out and back in. I would try one side at a time.

 

[Silver Fox]

3 hours? HA! I just finished tearing apart the stock 120k mile 20 year old front end and I think it took me 3 DAYS just to do that. Good luck but you won't get it done that quick. Bolts and bushings can be very stubborn when taking that crap apart. Now I'm getting ready to clean and paint the firewall and frame rails.

It took me just about as long to do mine.

 

[turbofish38]

I've gotten into this bad habit of buying spare parts. Just the stuff I plan on replacing on the cars in the next 50 years. I've done a few front ends so I know whats going on. I've got a set of clean control arms I picked up just because they were there and they were clean. From a low mileage car. I'm going to replace the bushings and ball joints on them and clean them up with a fresh coat of black epoxy. I plan to have every part ready to go when I do the front on the GN again in the next year or two.It might take me 4 or 5 hours to prep everything but once the car is up on jack stands I should be able to do the R&R in under 3 hours. I do the same thing with motors and trannys. Sometimes I swear I have enough parts stashed away to build a car from the ground up.