After getting the car home and poking around there were some things that I felt needed to be addressed before racking up some miles. First was rear springs and shocks. The springs were tired and questionable air shocks had been installed, unpleasant ride to say the least...
Before & after. I didn't have new springs kicking around, and after shopping decided on a cheaper option of 135 lb./ in springs (from
https://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/42-547.htm), some new KYB GR2 shocks the PO had purchased but not installed and an Energy Suspension poly bushing kit that I had bought for another project.
And, there's an aftermarket axle in the right side. Interesting.
Does seem to be the original center section, or at least an original tag!
After getting it back together I took it out for a ride and found out that the front suspension is horrible as well. The rear suspension work happened 6/13-14, I started the front work last weekend.
In the process of going through the front brakes, I broke both front brake lines at the transition to the soft lines.....
Found that the idler arm to drag link nut was finger tight, hopefully that was major contributor to the majorly sketchy steering and banging noise coming from the front end. Also found one broken caliper bolt on each side as well as non-existent bushings at the tops of both front shocks.
So at the moment, the list is:
*Front shocks
*Front hard brake lines
*Rotors/ calipers/ pads
*Brake hoses
I'll try and sneak in some time on it this weekend.