My Suspension Upgrade (Part 2 of ?) - The Good, Bad, and Ugly

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
11/26/2014 at 15:06 • Filed to: None

Last night, after being on the road for six hours, I went straight to the garage. Jacked her up and got to work. I could do the rear springs easily by myself, so I was working at my own pace. Granted, it was 9:30 at night, I had 6 straight hours of class, and had to circumnavigate Baltimore City because there were Ferguson protests. (I'm all for the movement, but don't block major highways and roads, please).

Anyway, got to it, remove the wheels, and went to remove the right rear lower strut mount bolt with my breaker bar. SNAP. (FUCK)

I don't know how much sense this picture makes to you guys, but spring is up top, half shaft above my hand, etc. Yah, I done fucked up. But, I persisted and finished the first rear in about 45 mins. 10-15 of which I was just contemplating human existence AND WHY I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHICH WAY TO TURN A BOLT WHEN I'M UPSIDE DOWN.

The next side took about 20-25 mins with texting in between. (I'm living in that 21st century doin something mean to it - KW)

After I finished the rears, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I'm sure my neighbors were already displeased with my German hot rod. That took all of 5 mins. After that, I prepped for the morning but getting out the proper tools, jacking up the car, and removing the wheels.

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This morning, I started at 10. Went to bed at 2 and needed my Zs. I asked a friend to come over to help. He's not very mechanical, but he's very loyal and willing to learn. Plus, I needed him push down on the control arm/brake dust shield so I could swing the strut assembly out without killing my fender.

Here are the springs. I could have taken more pictures, and probably should have. I don't have a picture comparing the old and new springs, so you will just have to believe me when I say the new H&Rs are shorter.

First side took about an hour and a half just to get into a rhythm and for my friend to understand the process. Second side only took about 25-30 mins. Instead of him watching me do and explain everything, we were working together.

For reference, this is a picture of the car before I changed the springs.

Now, here's the result. Not taken outside because it was snowing.

Definitely lower, but that wasn't the main reason I did the swap. I did it for performance reasons. Unfortunately, due to my stupidity and misfortune, you and I will only be able to look at it, for now.

The damage: a busted nut (haha)

The solution: either replace with an OEM pin with a press or get a new trailing arm

What I decided I'm going to do is replace both trailing arms. Yes, this solution sounds really expensive, but when you are in a great car community, people look out for you. My friend Clay, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , texted me at 7:30 ready and willing to help find a solution. By 10:30 he found me a trailing arm, which could cost me up to $700, for, get this, a 6 pack of good beer. We talked about it and this winter I might as well do both, along with bushings and wheel bearings.

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Until then, I will hack it, and grind off the old bolt, drill out a hole, and run the strongest bolt I can through it, just to hold the strut so I can make it to Clay's when we do the repair.

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Note to Big Bubba: I haven't done a write up of the garage, but the pictures above show some of the work

DISCUSSION (17)

Grindintosecond > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/26/2014 at 15:09

Wow, your garage has so much less sh...stuff than my garage. Where's all your stuff? Everyone has their stuff in their garage. Do you not have any stuff? or things?

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Grindintosecond
11/26/2014 at 15:19

The garage does have a side closet that has the power washer, trashcans, lumber, paint, fuel cans, extra wheels, and a few other things. Also, I have a sizable work bench I built to hold the majority of my stuff. The rest is on the peg board. Then, I built a storage system on the ceiling that uses 11 gal plastic containers. Also purchased on of those hanging bike pulley contraptions. Lastly, I convinced my mom that the garage is my sanctuary and all her christmas stuff goes elsewhere.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/26/2014 at 15:23

Kinja'd!!!

Ahh, the joys of suspension rebuilds on ancient cars. Get used to having to replace parts that have become fused together.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Grindintosecond
11/26/2014 at 15:28

thebigbossyboss > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/26/2014 at 15:32

I snapped a bolt when doing my struts too. Luckily it was one that mounts it to the top of the strut tower, and my struts came with new ones. Whoops.

RallyWrench > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/26/2014 at 15:33

I dig your car and your garage, these are the first time I've seen full pics of both.

If you're planning to replace the arms with bushings & everything, it might not be a bad idea to fit new shock studs anyway, as you'll have it apart already and the originals may be weakened by time & unseen corrosion. The new arms don't happen to be the boxed Tii arms, do they? That'd be the ultimate parts score, because those suckers are expensive.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Grindintosecond
11/26/2014 at 15:34

I second this, he must have a shed or sheds.

Grindintosecond > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/26/2014 at 15:35

I convinced my mom to ignore my desires to use her house to keep my things and she told me to take my things with me last week on my bi-annual visit. Your better organized. I don't have a side closet and my workbench that i built is holding all of the tools i used to build the workbench cause i never really put them back, there was too much stuff in front of the work bench to get passed so there they sit for now. Perhaps there's just not much stuff at your house. It's probably genetic how much stuff, oh and things, i accumulate.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/26/2014 at 15:47

AND WHY I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHICH WAY TO TURN A BOLT WHEN I'M UPSIDE DOWN

So much this. Every time I work on my car at weird angles I spend 20 minutes going "so, let's see... it's righty tighty... but I'm upside down.. but I'm using a ratchet so... but it's reverse of upside— what?"

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Grindintosecond
11/26/2014 at 16:27

Honestly, the peg board helps. I have 2 4x8 sheets, not completely full, but two of my toolboxes are pretty much empty now. But, I am working on building a better collection of tools.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
11/26/2014 at 16:32

Carlin FTW

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/26/2014 at 16:33

Not that the government knows about. Shhhhhhhhhh

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > RallyWrench
11/26/2014 at 16:42

Thanks. I doubt they are Tii arms. But, when you are bringing a 6pack to the table, there isn't much room for bickering or negotiation. Though, speaking of scores, I'm getting a set of NK 14x5 steelies w/ dog dishes for $120.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/26/2014 at 18:54

Ooooh, broken bolts suck. I've snapped three on the exhaust for the Datsun.

The new suspension looks great and I'm looking forward to hearing how it handles once it's all buttoned up.

Your garage is so clean . POST THAT WRITE UP, SON.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
11/26/2014 at 22:08

I can't wait either. For now my satisfaction is derived form pushing on the car. Two months ago, before any suspension work was done, the damn girl rocked back and forth and bounced when pressed on. After the struts, major improvement, but still movement. Now, I can't budge the thing. I sat on the hood over the right wheel and it squatted down maybe an inch, probably less. So, I'm really hoping that is a sizable transition to road feel and performance. I'd try and tell you what's next, but now I have to fix what I fucked up. Don't really want to replace trailing arms, but for the price and the fact that others are willing to help me, why not.

How's the Z and are you still looking for a Baja (or maybe a 2k2)?

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/27/2014 at 02:18

That suspension sounds great! Did you replace the original suspension from the factory? If so, I bet it was pretty worn out after 40 or so years haha From the sound of it, the car is going to handle like a dream with the new set up! Are the new trailing arms stock or aftermarket?

The Z is great right now! Really need to put her away for the winter, but I've got to save up enough cash to get my Subie fixed. Luckily it has only snowed once and there hasn't been much salt on the roads so it's not a big deal driving it right now. I'm dying to snag that Baja, but it's a stretch. The owner and I have been emailing back and forth and I'm going to check it out this weekend if it hasn't sold yet. If I can manage to get the Subie fixed and sold, then that Baja will be my new daily driver.

I really really want to get my hands on a 2k2 but I'll only do it when I can get a super clean example like yours!

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
11/27/2014 at 22:02

I've only done struts, shocks, springs and sway bars. Should do rubber, should. Tried to take it around the block, got to cut the wheel at about 20 mph, felt really stable, but after another 100-200 yards, the back started bouncing and I head the strut against the halfshaft making noise. So, inched it by idling in 2nd gear back to my garage. Didn't want to fuck anything up. Trailing arms are stock replacement. The aftermarket ones I know of are for coilovers.

Glad to hear the Z is doing well and good luck with the Subie. Get that BAJA