Starting my suspension rebuild this weekend and I don't want to run to sears for a tool in the middle of my project.
The suspension build includes replacing the following; UCA, LCA, pitman, idler and tie rods, springs, Coilover shocks (front and rear), Quick ratio Steering box, master/booster, Hotchkis TVS, Prop valve and Baer 4 wheel disc brakes.

Going to start with the front end and work my way back. Also installing new complete set of brake lines.
Along with a full Mac box, I own a complete set of brake tools including tubing bender and flair tools. But this is my first time ever with front suspension and don't own any suspension tools (if there required)

I know this is going to take the better part of a month working only weekends but I want to order any tools necessary to do the job now.

Thanks in advance for your replies and any experience your willing to share.

Rich

You'll need separators for the tie rod ends, ball joints, and pitman arm, and a workable spring compressor. The separators are all different sizes and there are a couple of different types available.

Most of this stuff can be "rented" for free if you have an auto zone nearby.

The pitman arm puller looks like a small c-clamp. It's the only thing that will get it off. Because of the way the brakeline routes past the steering bax, you gotta pull the pitman to get the old box out without trashing the brake line, even if you're not re-using either the box or the pitman.

A "ball joint sized" pickle fork will separate both the tie rods and the ball joints. A smaller one exists for tie rods. A pickly fork will trash the rubber boots, you don't care since you're replacing them all.

clamp type separators also exist in the right sizes for the tie rods and the ball joints (2 different tools) and these won't trash the rubber.

Spring compressors can be tough on early Camaro's because of the way half the spring fits up inside the frame. It can be tough to "bite" enough spring with an external compressor to get the tension off, but equally tough to get an "internal" compressor inside the spring to use it.

Many have used a length of all-thread, some washers and nuts, and a metal bar with a hole in it, running the whole thing up thru the shock hole.

Your best bet with a-arm bushings and lower ball joints is to bring the control arms to a shop with a press and have them change them for you.

Jim, I own a steel shop so the all thread and plates are in stock. Sears has a pitman puller: $30.00

http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00999054000?hei=100&wid=100&op_sharpen=1



Ball joint fork kit: $39.00


http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00930308000?hei=100&wid=100&op_sharpen=1
Ball Joint clamp style kit you spoke of is expensive at: $300.00 !!

http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00999845000
Looking at this you would think a bridge clamp and a socket would work.


Thanks,
Rich

The first link is the pitman puller, that's what you need. I bought mine at autozone (before I knew they rented them for free) for $15.

The second link is indeed some pickle forks, but (hard to tell on the small pic) they look like the kind that are meant for an air hammer, they also make em with a real handle that you can just beat on with a ford tool. I only own the ball joint size, and have successfully used it for tie rod ends as well.

Note that depending on how long your suspension has been together, and how determined it is to stay together, you can often pop the ball joints by rapping the side with a hammer (make sure you leave the nuts loosely screwed onto the ball joints until both the upper and power joints are popped!!! You'll want the spring tension to assist here, let the suspension hang, no spring compressor yet.)

Since you own a metal shop, look at david pozzi's website for details on a screw type ball joint separator he made up out of spare stuff. (http://www.pozziracing.com)

Thanks again Jim, Can't seem to find that tool David made but I have seen it on his site.
So much information there :D

The pickle fork is actually made for auto's according to sears.

I think I will go ahead and buy the bushing press tool. That way I have it in case any one else close to me needs to borrow it.

The way you described the pitman arm, brake line steering box information made it sound very unpleasant. :yes:

can't wait to dig in Saturday.

Rich

Read the many posts that are on this subject. They helped me out a lot and I am a novice. It made the job easy and fun. I would agree with most of what Jim wrote. Have a shop remove and press in your new ball joints. Unless you have the equipment to do this, I didn't. I did not use a spring compressor just a floor jack and popped the ball joints also this way. And make sure you use a chain or bicycle cable down through the coil as to keep the spring from jumping out at you when you release the pressure off the spring. As I have read many of the posts on this subject. Make sure the car is jacked up high enough to be able to lower the LCA far enough. Mine went very easy. I just did most everything that you are planning on doing just by reading the info on this section. Also make sure your springs are mounted correctly in the pockets upon install. I am only waiting for the snow to melt so that I can get the front aligned. Also have PB Blaster on hand for some of those old rusty bolts on the brake lines. Rent the tools from Auto Zone.

The way you described the pitman arm, brake line steering box information made it sound very unpleasant. :yes:

can't wait to dig in Saturday.

Rich

It's not so bad. Once the pitman arm is off, you just bend the brakeline out of the way a lil so the steering box can fall out.

Rich,

You may want to consider these alternatives I stumbled across on ebabe couple of weeks ago - doesn't look to be cheap chinese stuff to me but I could be wrong. May be something to consider over the $300 price tag for the Sears product.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Automotive-BALL-JoinT-PRESS-Service-Tool-Kit-OTC-7249_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43996QQitemZ120094 888599QQtcZphoto

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pickle-Fork-Set-5pc-for-Ball-Joint-Tie-Rod-OTC-6299_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63700QQitemZ120092 942215QQtcZphoto

Rich,

You may want to consider these alternatives I stumbled across on ebabe couple of weeks ago - doesn't look to be cheap chinese stuff to me but I could be wrong. May be something to consider over the $300 price tag for the Sears product.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Automotive-BALL-JoinT-PRESS-Service-Tool-Kit-OTC-7249_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43996QQitemZ120094 888599QQtcZphoto

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pickle-Fork-Set-5pc-for-Ball-Joint-Tie-Rod-OTC-6299_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63700QQitemZ120092 942215QQtcZphoto


Tools say Made in USA, Thanks for the link Joe, I order the kit.

Rich

actually this last time (don't tell!!!!) I just used the floor jack, and undid the top shock bolt but left the bottom attached to safe the spring, got just barely enough bite with the external spring compressor to get it done.

Hope it goes back together (this weekend) as easy as it came apart!

Thanks again Jim, Can't seem to find that tool David made but I have seen it on his site.
So much information there :D

The pickle fork is actually made for auto's according to sears.

I think I will go ahead and buy the bushing press tool. That way I have it in case any one else close to me needs to borrow it.

The way you described the pitman arm, brake line steering box information made it sound very unpleasant. :yes:

can't wait to dig in Saturday.

Rich
They rent the ball joint press at Autozone for 100. return when your done, get your money back. simple. I personally don't see a need to remove your pitman arm, unless you're changing to rack n pinion as they rarely go bad, the forks for popping tie rods and spindles can be bought and rented at the zone as well as the spring spring compressor and a BFH. Air is recommended for the BJ press. good luck.

A little suspension porn.

http://www.eastbayerectors.com/sitebuilder/images/P1010435-591x442.jpg

http://www.eastbayerectors.com/sitebuilder/images/P1010436-596x445.jpg

http://www.eastbayerectors.com/sitebuilder/images/P1010437-593x441.jpg

http://www.eastbayerectors.com/sitebuilder/images/P1010439-593x472.jpg

http://www.eastbayerectors.com/sitebuilder/images/P1010438-598x447.jpg


http://www.eastbayerectors.com/sitebuilder/images/P1010441-427x398.jpg

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but a couple of flair nut wrenches are good insurance when connecting brake line.

Hey George, Welcome to Team Camaro. thanks for the post. I have a complete set of flare wrenches. I made the mistake of changing out a brake system one time without them.

I just realized the Good Guys Rod and Custom show is in two weeks.
I wanted to take my car but this suspension project may not allow for it.
Oh well, i guess I will have to take the truck.


Rich

Thanks for the welcome Rich.

Kind of funny, I was planning on taking my old pickup to the the GG show in Pleasanton too. I have a couple of items to finish up on my Camaro too, and I need parts.

Apologies...did not mean to turn this into a chit-chat thread.