140 bricks

For the first time in months and months, I am really and truly SICK! Severe fever, headache, the works...I slept almost all day, but now that I am feeling marginally better, I have a chance to post about the 142 suspension rebuild project, which has proven to be much more involved than I originally thought it would be.

I purchased the various parts for the job over a period spanning the past few months in order afford to do everything I wanted to, and I just sold a beater car for our church which brought a little bit of profit as well, which was mostly devoted to the IPD order; this endeavor has not been cheap.



A little before the holidays I took care of brake pads front and rear, and replaced any hoses that seemed less than great. I also bought new tires around Christmas. I also finally replaced the fuel sending unit from Swedish Treasures---dammed expensive, but I don't have a working odometer either, so avoiding running out of gas was a bit tricky. However, the project still stood as follows:

The bushings were completely disintegrated in front on both sides, and they were getting bad in the back as well; Both sets of shocks were completely blown and leaking oil; E-brake didn't work; The diff cover and pinion seal were leaking badly; The rear springs had been torched (before I got the car) to lower it and were weak and uneven; The front springs had problems too---every time I hit a big bump the passenger side of the car would dive and hit the rubber stopper, while the driver's side stayed pretty stiff; and finally, I wanted to put a good set of anti-sway bars on it to properly complete the suspension.

Here are some pictures of where I am so far. Rear suspension is completely finished with new polyurethane bushings from VPD, an IPD sway, an e-brake cable I found on ebay that shipped from Israel, adjusted e-brake pads and repaired actuators, new diff seals (IPD), Skandix springs, and Bilstien shocks. Out front I have the new bushings installed in the upper wishbones, and almost everything else disassembled: I am still waiting on the ball joints (another lucky ebay find---$35 for all four, brand new!), but once I get those in and the bolt removed from the lower wishbones things should go back together quickly.