Ya know Max, I thought about that but decided that if I can get my fingers in there and get them loose or tight, the wiper motor would stay put. It did...
No pictures to post this time... Tonight I had planned to run a new front to rear brake line. When I looked at the lines in my CPP kit, there wasn't a long one for that. After reading the note that came with the lines, that line kit was designed to locate the proportioning valve in the stock location, and use the stock rear brake line. After running to AutoZone and getting the adapter for the rear line, I found that the brake line kit actually came with one... ugh. Based on the fact that I do not have to replace the front to rear line, I've decided to use DOT 3 fluid in the system. I was on the fence about trying DOT 5 and replacing the rear end lines, and rear wheel cylinders, too. Anyway, after that, I was able to get the rear line connected and the lines in from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve. By then I was done for the day.
Thank you Norman! I just got done trying to get the lower ball joint separated from the stock spindle... not successful. It got too late to keep beating on it. If worse comes to worse, I may have to bust out the angle grinder and cutting wheel. To be continued tomorrow.
Since I had off for Good Friday (Catholic Boss), I got to spend quite a bit of time on the car. Was able to get the upper and lower control arms off of both sides and get them cleaned up. This car has all of the original ball joints and bushings (which are wasted.... badly). I had to order the MOOG 6076 bushings from Amazon this afternoon. Previously I had ordered the K5149 with the oval bushings. This car has round ones. Also ordered new upper control arm bumpers, as those are wasted too. My CCP disc brake kit uses the original steering arms. I found that removing them fist made access to the ball joints better, for the fork tool (which I had to beat the snot out of). Now I can't remember which one goes to which side. I'll do a search and start a thread if I cannot figure it out. One is part number 394569 and the other is 394568...
I really like this one! That's the color my car was originally. It was painted Yellow back around 90-93.
On Saturday, I started rebuilding the control arms. I was able to get the uppers done and start on the lowers, before we had to go meet some family for dinner. While the ball joints were original, someone had replace the control arm bushings before. This morning I got the bushings done in 1 lower and ran into a problem with the other lower. It's pretty beat-up and someone welded one of the bushings in it. My fear is that I grind the welds, remove the bushing, and the new one won't stay in it. Now I am looking for another lower control arm this week. If anyone has one in decent shape, I need the driver side (left). Parts Place sells new ones pretty reasonably. I'm going to call them tomorrow. So I moved on to the rear suspension and mufflers. After removing the upper rear control arm on the left side, I see the bushings are mint, so they are not going anywhere. I also tried to get the rear brake hose off and could not get the fitting loose from the long line. So.... that is staying on it too. I'm just going to clean up the upper control arms and braces, replace the lowers with the F41 arms I bought for it, and put the new springs and shocks on it. This was as far as I got before having to pack it up for the day. Here is the whole car now. I'll make more progress this week, too. Now to find a Left front lower control arm...
Tonight I'm taking a break from the car to go out to dinner with friends. I did manage to get the left rear suspension almost put together last night. I'm going to wait to connect the shock until I get the muffler and tail pipe situated. It will be easier if I can move the shock around. I found that I bought the wrong muffler configuration a few months ago. I purchased the offset inlet/center outlet. I thought I could make it work with a different hanger, by putting the offset up front. That is not the case, as it repositions the tail pipe to where it hits the brace that goes from the upper control arm mount to the lower front control arm mount. Needless to say, I am not too thrilled that I had to order new mufflers again, with the correct offset/offset configuration. I may have some Dynomax 17733 and Thrush chambered (Flowmaster copy) mufflers for sale at BG.
Tonight I got the right rear suspension taken apart and inspected. the bushings are in great shape there too. I was able to shove the new spring in there and half mount the new lower control arm, while cleaning and painting the upper control arm and brace that goes between the upper and lower mounting points. The new mufflers should be here tomorrow and new lower front control arms should be in on Friday. That's it for tonight. Didn't take any pictures as it really looks the same as the other side did at this point...
I have a pair of 69 lower control arms. Sand blasted and epoxy primed. PM you contact info for pics if you are interested. Dave
Since it has been a week since my last update, here is where I'm at now. Last night I was able to get the exhaust and rear suspension done. The Thrush (Flowmaster copy) mufflers fought me quite a bit before they came off the intermediate pipes. I also took the time to readjust those intermediate pipes and they were leaking at the joints to the X-pipe. They just needed to sit into the recessed part a little farther. The jack is actually not touching anything on the car. It's under there for quick storage... You can't see it in the photos, I also had the upper arms out to inspect the bushings. I painted them and the braces that go between the upper and lower control arm mounting points (on the frame ends). Took a lot of time and some ratchet straps to get the rear end lined up. You also can't see that the lower control arms are the boxed type. Previously the car had regular, unboxed lower control arms. Tonight I'll get started on putting the front suspension back in the car, with the disc brake assemblies. I got the aftermarket lower control arms this past weekend. I can't wait to take it for a drive!!
Tonight I was able to get the front sway bar and brackets cleaned up and painted. After that it was on to assembling the front end and disc brakes! More to come tomorrow night! I can't wait to get out to the garage after signing off from work. Fridays are work-at-home days.
Moving right along... tonight I got the right front suspension mostly done. I just have to reinstall the sway bar, hook up the brake hose, connect the tie rod, and replace the metal brake line. All that will come after I get the left side to the same point. I was also able to get the left front suspension a little farther than the right front was last night. My lady is out of town this weekend, so I'll be at it all day tomorrow, too!
Today I was able to get the front suspension completely put back together, the front brake lines replaced, all of the brake line fittings tightened up, master cylinder bench bled, brake pedal hooked up, and fixed a couple of bolts that I put in backwards in the rear suspension. I started gravity bleeding the brakes too, but ran out of time and energy. No pictures today, as it really doesn't look much different... Tomorrow I'll try to get the brakes bled, oil changed, and the door lock fixed. At some point this week I have to arrange a front end alignment. After seeing the condition of the front bushings and the left front control arm, I'm sure the suspension squeaks will no longer be there. Looking forward to hearing the new mufflers and stopping with disc front brakes!
I was able to get everything done and get the Buick back on the ground today. Took it for a drive around the block. It seems as though the brakes need more bleeding. I gravity bled them and then used a pneumatic bleeder that I got from Harbor Freight. I think I'm going to take that thing back. I don't think it worked very well. My better half is back, so I'll have her help me bleed them again this week. It definitely needs an alignment too. I can tell the camber is off just looking at it. On another note, the exhaust is much quieter now with the Dynomax mufflers on it! Here are some pictures...