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70 Stage One “Boogie” breakdown

Discussion in 'Chassis restoration' started by Clay455, Jun 19, 2024.

  1. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

    Today my son and I started taking apart the front suspension of the Stage One I refer to as the Stage One “Boogie” because of its 70’s studio 54 red velvet interior. Something the prior owner did back in the late 70’s. Anyway I took pictures of some identifying marks and I notice the way the cotter pins were folded back from the factory. My car still has the factory suspension and it’s is very tight so I’m just going to clean and repaint and reinstall. The ball joints still retain their factory rivets. IMG_4525.jpeg IMG_4536.jpeg IMG_4535.jpeg IMG_4532.jpeg IMG_4529.jpeg IMG_4530.jpeg IMG_4531.jpeg IMG_4528.jpeg IMG_4527.jpeg IMG_4526.jpeg IMG_4523.jpeg IMG_4524.jpeg IMG_4525.jpeg IMG_4536.jpeg IMG_4535.jpeg IMG_4532.jpeg IMG_4529.jpeg IMG_4530.jpeg IMG_4531.jpeg IMG_4528.jpeg IMG_4527.jpeg IMG_4526.jpeg IMG_4523.jpeg IMG_4524.jpeg IMG_4525.jpeg
     
    Max Damage and Dano like this.
  2. 3shields

    3shields Let's go, MOUNTAINEERS!!!

    Good stuff!
     
    Clay455 likes this.
  3. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    You should have aluminum drums on the front of that car. If you’re not converted to disc brakes, start looking for a set now they’re getting scares.
     
    Clay455 likes this.
  4. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

    After talking to Todd at Stage 1 restoration I’m going to do the disc brake conversion. I have power drum brakes (steel) I’m assuming because it’s an early build.
     
    FLGS400 and Stage 2 iron like this.
  5. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

    Thanks!
     
  6. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    All factory 455 cars came from the factory with aluminum drums. Small block got the steel drums.
     
    docgsx and Clay455 like this.
  7. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    I though Buick stopped using Aluminum front drums in 69?
     
  8. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    I’ve had two 70 GS 455 One was a factory stage one with manual aluminum drum brakes, the 70 GS 455 had Power brakes with aluminum front drums. I actually think Buick ended aluminum drums in 1971 because it was mandatory to have disc brakes with a big block.
     
    Brian Albrecht likes this.
  9. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Given that you've so far (based on our discussions & your posts) seem to be wanting to make/keep the car very much original, why stray from that to convert to disk? Buick drum brakes were very good. I'd find a pair of aluminum drums or get a pair relined (expensive but probably not as much as a disk conversion).
     
    DaWildcat, 12lives and Clay455 like this.
  10. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

    Mine has steel and I don’t know why anyone would change out the factory aluminum brakes.
     
  11. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    '70 for the GS 455 & I could be wrong but I believe were still used on '71-2 Sportwagons w/o disk.
     
  12. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    How many miles are on the car?
     
    Clay455 likes this.
  13. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

    It’s not going to be a numbers matching car. So I figured I would update the brakes. I’ll keep the factory stuff and see what happens later on. I’ll be driving this car a lot around town.
     
  14. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    I’m talking GS 455 only.
     
    Bigpig455 likes this.
  15. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

    87,550
     
    Stage 2 iron likes this.
  16. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Seems odd but it definitely would've had aluminum orig. Maybe someone ran them down to metal. Hard to imagine they were turned too many times if the suspension is orig. How many miles on the car?
     
  17. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I realize:). Rhett's comment was referring to Buick in general stopping their use in '69.
     
    Bigpig455 likes this.
  18. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Repeated very hard stops & possibly when wet are the only issues w/the drum brakes. Otherwise, they'll perform as good if not better than disk (yes, ppl will disagree w/me here:)).
     
    Bigpig455 and Clay455 like this.
  19. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

  20. Clay455

    Clay455 Well-Known Member

    What’s the correct paint colors for suspension and steering components?
     

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