BBS / FT suspension progress

[82LTDQS]

Ok, Here is an update on my BBS. Poly bushings, new ball joints, New wagon springs, Cleaned and painted used LCA's. Have a look. Any recomendations??

[85crownHPP]

Looks like you got those parts under controll... do you have the rest of your parts already?
Make sure you have some heavy duty tools - you'll need them!

[82LTDQS]

Im going back to the junk yard to pull The UCA's. Anything I should keep in mind?? Im buying noew Upper ball joints so I should need a pickle fork. I will get the spindles at a later date.

[gadget73]

The springs are in upside-down, but I guess you know that. Flat side goes at the top, pigtail at the bottom. Theres also a rubber isolator that goes in there.

uppers don't need a pickle fork. They use a pinch bolt through the upper arm. Remove the bolt, drive it out (take a punch with you) amd the upper ball joint will just about fall out. Just make sure there is something to limit the lower control arm, otherwise the spring can fly out at you.

I'd also suggest making sure the threads on those shock mounting holes are good. THey tend to get tired after a while, there isn't all that much metal right there. If the threads are tired (or if they're not) you might want to consider welding a nut to the inside of the spring perch area so the shock bolts don't pull through. You can use whatever metric thread they use originally, or just drill the hole out a little and use a standard 5/16" bolt and nut. You can also use those clip nut things, or if you're really agile, a regular nut and a wrench through the spring after its installed.

[82LTDQS]

isolators did come with the poly kit. Do they go on top or on the bottom of the spring?? What is a pinch bolt??

[gadget73]

isolators on top, between the spring and frame.


its a bolt that passes through the upper control arm, it sits in a groove on the late style upper ball joint. I can't find pics of the thing, but if you're looking at the side of a late model spindle, you'll see a bolt that goes through right next to the ball joint. There is a nut on that. Remove the nut and bolt and the upper ball joint comes out. It doesn't have the big castle nut setup like the lower uses. If you can jack up the lower control arm so its not bottomed out, this will come out a lot easier. If you can't, stick things under the lower control arm so it won't move far and unbolt the upper control arm so the suspension drops. This will unload the retaining bolt and it'll come out much easier.

[82LTDQS]

Ok, got it. Thanks for your help.

[82LTDQS]

Ok done, Used my cutting wheel and I took off half a coil from each spring. Will this make them stiffer??