I've decided that I will be completely redoing the suspension on my 86 sooner than later.

Both my father and I have never done ball joints before, and without doing research, I don't really know where to start.

That said, I will be starting with the front suspension.
I already have the poly bushings and new springs, and I will be purchasing Koni shocks relatively soon.

Clearly things are a little rusty after 28 years, so I want to replace all ball joints, both control arms, bushings, springs, shocks, bolts, and brackets.




I figure might as well go big and go broke, so using this link I will am thinking I will need:

84-87 Front "L" Brackets x 2
84-87 Upper Control Arm Bolt x 2
84-87 Front Upper Spring Pads (2)
84-87 Lower Control Arm Bolts/Nuts (2) x 2
84-87 L/H Front Spindle

That being said, where can I get the R/H Front (Pasenger) Spindle as FieroStore doesn't seem to have it.

I would also buy new control arms as they come with ball joints already installed, but I would try to have them leave out the bushings so I can put in my poly ones.
Driver's Side Lower
Driver's Side Upper
Also, the fiero store doesn't currently have the Passenger's Side Upper Control Arm, any ideas where I can get one already powdercoated with a balljoint?

I would greatly appreciate all comments, concerns, advice, and ideas on this subject.

Thanks
Kyle

[This message has been edited by DKcustoms (edited 09-12-2014).]

There is no need to replace the spindles. They are forged steel - the rust is only on the surface and is not compromising the strength of the part.
Same could be said of the control arms (except for the forged part...).

First you NEED a service manual or the Haynes manual. While you are at it why not do the brakes too? Check out this members page--he redid his whole suspension http://www.pontiacperforman...et/car87FieroSE.html
good luck with the job--remember to get your front end aligned after!

------------------
Pat Jones

I want to replaces the spindles because I am removing the rust from everywhere else, I'd rather not leave just one rusty part under there.

quote Originally posted by 88FieroGT TTops: First you NEED a service manual or the Haynes manual. While you are at it why not do the brakes too? Check out this members page--he redid his whole suspension http://www.pontiacperforman...et/car87FieroSE.html good luck with the job--remember to get your front end aligned after!

I already have both the service manual and Haynes manual.
Brakes are already done, from SS lines to new bleeder valves.
rotors are smooth, calipers were replaced by PO, calipers are fine.

[This message has been edited by DKcustoms (edited 09-12-2014).]

Use a wire wheel on a drill to clean the rust off the spindles and use a high quality auto paint - I'd use a Rustoleum product. You will save yourself some money. Also, I would not waste your money on new a arms. Take them off the car - clean them up, burn or drill out the old rubber bushings. Buy new ball joints and take the arms and joints to an auto shop or machine shop - pay them to change them out for you. They are not difficult to change yourself. If you have the tools and skills to dismantle and reassemble the suspension pieces and parts, you have the skill to do ball joints. Most parts stores offer free or rental tools for pressing the joints out and in. Some can be changed by grinding off 3 or 4 rivet heads and driving the rivet out with a punch. The new ball joints will come with bolts, washers and nuts to reinstall. I would go to a parts place and buy better bolts, washers and nuts - I think the ones that come with the new ball joints are cheap and have seen some strip out pretty easy. Once you have the clean a arms with the ball joints installed, give them a good paint job - powder coating is not necessary.

A little bit of elbow grease and some searching here on PFF will save you some money and maybe time if you have to spend a lot of time searching for a couple parts that are not that readily available. Good luck on your project.

Kat

Edit to add - looking closer at your pics, the upper ball joints look to have been changed once already. They are "bolted" and not riveted. Easy - easy replacement.

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 09-12-2014).]

Its looking like my car wont be on the road until spring, so I think I will take the winter to at least 'mostly' redo the entire suspension.

At the very least new bolts, brackets, balljoints and bushings.
Haven't decided about control arms yet

Thanks to everyone for the advice and comments so far

I am getting ready to do the exact same thing with my 86 GT. I agree with others in this thread, most of these parts are HEAVY duty, and just need a GOOD cleaning.

I could take off the spindles on my Fiero, and clean them up and paint them, and they would look & function just as good as brand new. I would suggest taking off everything you can, wire wheel it, sand it, dip it, and see how it looks 90% of the time, it will be as good as new looking after a coat of paint. If, and then only IF something is in too bad of shape, then you can spend the money and get new.

I used a 5 gallon bucket as an electrolysis tank for some of the parts for my car. It is a great way to remove rust from just about anythying easily and for the cost of a box of baking soda



If you do not want to watch the whole video, here is what you see above, after it was completed:

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 09-13-2014).]