Remove front shocks, a-arm assemblies, coil springs, brake
rotor and spindle assemblies, idler arm, sway bar and all components up to, but
not including the center link or steering components. Break down the a-arms, hot tank, and bead blast and inspect
for wear and damage. Repaint the
a-arms and install new ball joints and rubber bushings. Install a new idler arm. Install the rebuilt upper and lower
a-arms, coil springs, brake rotor and spindle assemblies, shocks and sway
bar. Bleed the brakes and align
the front suspension.
PARTS
(Moog front end rebuild kit) $___________
LABOR
(approximate hours required Hours_______
FRONT SUSPENSION AND BRAKE RESTORATION
Brake Calipers
Remove front brake calipers, disassemble, inspect, clean,
blast, repaint and reassemble with new G.M. caliper seal kits and pistons as
required. If the brake calipers
are not identifiable by brand name or are damaged in any way they should be
discarded and replaced with quality stainless steel sleeved units.
A core charge is required on calipers,
which cannot be exchanged.
PARTS (Stainless Steel Brake Corp.) $___________
CORE
DEPOSIT (Each) $___________
LABOR
TO REBUILD (IF
POSSIBLE) $___________
Brake Rotors
Inspect both front rotors to verify they are within
factory-required specifications.
Check the rotor run out and surface finish in order to determine if they
should be resurfaced. Remove the
front bearing, races and seals, inspect and replace as required. Hot tank the front rotor hub assemblies,
bead blast each assembly and check the inner and outer race surfaces for cracks
and other possible damage. Remove
old wheel studs, repaint, resurface and install new wheel studs. Install new inner and outer races, pack
and install new bearings and races.
PARTS
(Wheel studs/bearings/races/seals) $___________
LABOR
$___________
FRONT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY
Disassemble front spindles, hot tank, bead blast and
inspect. Check for straightness,
ball stud taper wear, bearing surface wear. Clean and blast all other parts such as spindle arms, heat
shields and caliper brackets.
Check spindles arms for straightness and ball stud taper wear. Check caliper brackets for
straightness. Send out dust
shields for re-plating. Repaint
spindles and spindle arms and reassemble each assembly with new hardware as
required.
PARTS $____________
LABOR $____________
STEERING SYSTEM
Depending on whether the front suspension has power or
standard steering the restoration cost will vary greatly. Power steering will require removing
the center steering link, control valve, power steering cylinder, hoses and
frame brackets. The frame is
cleaned where the cylinder bracket attaches and inspected fro cracks. All the above components are inspected
and replace as required. The
steering box and coupler are also check for wear. If required the steering box will be removed and rebuilt
with new parts as required. The
coupler will also be replaced if necessary before re-assembly. The steering box and power steering
assembly are then reinstalled.
PARTS $_____________
LABOR $_____________
FRAME CLEANING AND DETAILING
Frame cleaning and detailing labor
cost, if requested by the customer, is based on time and materials. Every frame on every Corvette is in
different condition from good to bad depending on the climate they have been
subjected to over the years.
LABOR RATE $_____________
MATERIALS AS REQUIRED $_____________
PLEASE
NOTE
I have included drawings of the
front suspension and power steering system, which are common for all Corvettes
1963 through 1982. The front
suspension is very similar for the different years except for the 1963 and 1964. The 1969 through 1982 front spindles
and bearings are larger, however, all years will interchange. The power steering system is the same
for all years. Steering boxes are
slightly different. If the
steering box requires rebuilding or new gears it is best to stick with the
customers original numbers match, box if possible.
There are many different
combinations, which take place when trying to restore a Corvette chassis back
to its original condition. It is
impossible to give an exact estimate on parts and labor. I am just trying to give you, the
customer, an idea of what a rebuild or restoration involves. We never know what we are going to find
until the suspension is removed from the corvette, taken apart, cleaned and
inspected. Many of the parts on
the front suspension such as: hub
rotor assemblies, front spindles, spindle arms and brake caliper brackets were
discontinued long ago. Midyear
(1963-1967) suspension parts in good used condition are almost impossible to
find. We are fortunate because if
needed a front spindle and hub assembly for a 1965 Corvette can be up dated
with a 1969 through 1982 spindle assembly. Chevrolet made so many of the later Corvettes especially
1973-1982 that used front suspension parts are still fairly plentiful and can
be found at most Corvette auto wreckers.
However
the parts still have to be located.
For example if we have to locate a good used set of front spindle
assembly break them down, inspect and make sure all the parts are in good
condition, rebuild them and then guarantee they are good, obviously this can
get expensive.
This is considered time and
materials. Another example would
be if a replacement front rotor is required and the original hub is in good
usable condition, you can still buy a good quality new rotor from suppliers
such as Bendix. However, the new
rotor must still be matched to the original hub, re-riveted and most times
resurfaced to correct the rotor run out.
This can also be time consuming and expensive.
ADDITIONAL
PARTS OPTIONAL
Many other parts should be looked at and also considered for
replacement once the front suspension has been removed from the car. For example, upgrading to F-41 front
coil springs, new high performance shocks and making sure the front sway bar is
compatible with the rest of the Corvette suspension. Another nice option to consider is powder paint coating the
individual suspension components.
This provides longer lasting protection and is very nice looking. The cost of powder coating is based on
the quantity and size of the parts being coated. At this point many customers consider adding power steering
or power brakes if the car is not originally equipped. Both are nice options. Both options are expensive.