Front end rebuild help
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: MN
Posts: 6
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4
Front end rebuild help
I'm beginning a restoration of a '90 RS. To get it road worthy I have to redo the front end steering and suspension bushings because they are all blown out. What is included in a rebuild for all of this? I am struggling to find kits for rebuilds or what I must replace and if any sizing is different throughout the years or trim levels. Everything that has a bushing connected to it has the old bushing just blown around it. I also do not know if I should replace or upgrade the sway bar, it has surface rust but seems in good shape. Any ideas of what I should upgrade / return use as stock? Any recommendations on struts? I have read a lot of good things about Koni struts but I am not sure. The end plan is to v8 swap the car but I know to return it to running stock first. 200k miles are the underside is solid if that changes anything. Thanks.
#2
Member
Re: Front end rebuild help
There might be a "rebuild kit" for the front end that covers the most frequently worn parts.
Your best option, perform an inspection of the current suspension components. See what is warn, what is broken, make a list.
Then, head over to rockauto and start building your shopping cart.
Flavors of parts, manufacturers, etc are a personal preference depending on what your budge can withstand, and what you are planning to utilize the car for (daily driver, autocross, power tour). I will say be realistic in your desires and budget. High end suspension components are great looking add'ons and awful expensive. But if the car is going to be sitting in your driveway or garage most of the time, daily driver parts quality is a perfect low buck solution. The rust on the sway bar if probably surface rust. Take it off. degrease, wire brush, wipe it down, and hit it with some rattle can undercoat. Do the same for the sway bar mounts. Change the bushing and end links are you will be good to go.
Your best option, perform an inspection of the current suspension components. See what is warn, what is broken, make a list.
Then, head over to rockauto and start building your shopping cart.
Flavors of parts, manufacturers, etc are a personal preference depending on what your budge can withstand, and what you are planning to utilize the car for (daily driver, autocross, power tour). I will say be realistic in your desires and budget. High end suspension components are great looking add'ons and awful expensive. But if the car is going to be sitting in your driveway or garage most of the time, daily driver parts quality is a perfect low buck solution. The rust on the sway bar if probably surface rust. Take it off. degrease, wire brush, wipe it down, and hit it with some rattle can undercoat. Do the same for the sway bar mounts. Change the bushing and end links are you will be good to go.
#3
Supreme Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 5,291
Likes: 0
Received 58 Likes
on
52 Posts
Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
Engine: 350/vortec/fitech
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt
Re: Front end rebuild help
minimum-just do all these, the cost is not that great
ball joints 2
inner tie rods 2
outer tie rods 2
tie-rod adjuster sleeves 2 (your alignment guy will appreciate these being new if your old ones are in any way rusted up)
centerlink 1
idler arm 1
sway bar bushings 2
sway bar end links 2
next order of business
strut mounts 2
control arm bushings forward (2)
control arm bushings rear (2)
struts 2
most of the above replacements will require an alignment when done, so factor that cost into the decision as to how far you go.
no point in, for example, doing inner/outer tie rods and having to do an alignment then waiting a year to do the strut mounts and having to pay for another alignment.
ball joints 2
inner tie rods 2
outer tie rods 2
tie-rod adjuster sleeves 2 (your alignment guy will appreciate these being new if your old ones are in any way rusted up)
centerlink 1
idler arm 1
sway bar bushings 2
sway bar end links 2
next order of business
strut mounts 2
control arm bushings forward (2)
control arm bushings rear (2)
struts 2
most of the above replacements will require an alignment when done, so factor that cost into the decision as to how far you go.
no point in, for example, doing inner/outer tie rods and having to do an alignment then waiting a year to do the strut mounts and having to pay for another alignment.
The following users liked this post:
Xatti (07-18-2023)
The following users liked this post:
Xatti (07-18-2023)
The following users liked this post:
Xatti (07-18-2023)
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: MN
Posts: 6
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Front end rebuild help
minimum-just do all these, the cost is not that great
ball joints 2
inner tie rods 2
outer tie rods 2
tie-rod adjuster sleeves 2 (your alignment guy will appreciate these being new if your old ones are in any way rusted up)
centerlink 1
idler arm 1
sway bar bushings 2
sway bar end links 2
next order of business
strut mounts 2
control arm bushings forward (2)
control arm bushings rear (2)
struts 2
most of the above replacements will require an alignment when done, so factor that cost into the decision as to how far you go.
no point in, for example, doing inner/outer tie rods and having to do an alignment then waiting a year to do the strut mounts and having to pay for another alignment.
ball joints 2
inner tie rods 2
outer tie rods 2
tie-rod adjuster sleeves 2 (your alignment guy will appreciate these being new if your old ones are in any way rusted up)
centerlink 1
idler arm 1
sway bar bushings 2
sway bar end links 2
next order of business
strut mounts 2
control arm bushings forward (2)
control arm bushings rear (2)
struts 2
most of the above replacements will require an alignment when done, so factor that cost into the decision as to how far you go.
no point in, for example, doing inner/outer tie rods and having to do an alignment then waiting a year to do the strut mounts and having to pay for another alignment.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: MN
Posts: 6
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 5,291
Likes: 0
Received 58 Likes
on
52 Posts
Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
Engine: 350/vortec/fitech
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt
Re: Front end rebuild help
Moog on the springs should be a safe bet, and they're fairly inexpensive on RA
Replacement springs will likely bring the ride height up an inch or so compared to the likely wore out originals.
KYB has been an acceptable stock style strut assembly
Inspect your strut mounts by removing the dust cap and observing the rubber bearing isolator while bouncing the suspension a little. A tear or defect will show itself.
Replacement springs will likely bring the ride height up an inch or so compared to the likely wore out originals.
KYB has been an acceptable stock style strut assembly
Inspect your strut mounts by removing the dust cap and observing the rubber bearing isolator while bouncing the suspension a little. A tear or defect will show itself.
#9
Sponsor
Re: Front end rebuild help
We (Screaming Chicken) sell the Proforged brand for suspension parts, they have a front end rebuild kit that replaces the steering linkage (everything except the pitman arm). They also make ball joints and other suspension service parts. The front end rebuild kits have been on backorder since March, but we will get 3 on Tuesday (7/25). We have been selling the Proforged brand for several years and have been happy with the quality and have had positive feedback from customers also.
1982-92 Camaro/Firebird Front End Service Kit
1982-92 Camaro/Firebird Front End Service Kit
The following users liked this post:
RedLeader289 (07-22-2023)
#10
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: Front end rebuild help
We (Screaming Chicken) sell the Proforged brand for suspension parts, they have a front end rebuild kit that replaces the steering linkage (everything except the pitman arm). They also make ball joints and other suspension service parts. The front end rebuild kits have been on backorder since March, but we will get 3 on Tuesday (7/25). We have been selling the Proforged brand for several years and have been happy with the quality and have had positive feedback from customers also.
1982-92 Camaro/Firebird Front End Service Kit
1982-92 Camaro/Firebird Front End Service Kit
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post