hi all
I've been told my old girl needs a front-end rebuild and that I should see if I can get a kit from Rares then expect about $500 labour on top of the kit cost.
Is this reasonable? Do I have other/better options? (I don't have the time or ability to do the work myself).
I've been told this because it was explained that no amount of grease will prevent the squeaks any more. Most of the wear is in the left side but the right needs work too...
Cheers
Paul
front-end rebuild required
typically, I have found out that there's more to it than this. I've been told that I need to get a full assessment to determine exactly what's required - it may not need a full rebuild - maybe some of the parts can be retained.
and, even then, there are more things to consider - a ball-joint front end conversion even though it is more expensive may be a better idea in the long run. This would probably require replaced brakes and wheels, assumedly tyres too.
Still, if anyone has any further thoughts, corrections or ideas, I'm all ears.
and, even then, there are more things to consider - a ball-joint front end conversion even though it is more expensive may be a better idea in the long run. This would probably require replaced brakes and wheels, assumedly tyres too.
Still, if anyone has any further thoughts, corrections or ideas, I'm all ears.
It comes down to whether or not you want to keep the old girl stock or are happy for a brake upgrade. You should be able to use the same tyres, possibly not rims...paulb wrote:- a ball-joint front end conversion even though it is more expensive may be a better idea in the long run. This would probably require replaced brakes and wheels, assumedly tyres too.
Still, if anyone has any further thoughts, corrections or ideas, I'm all ears.
But your right never a straight forward easy solution. Best bet is to get someone to tell you what you need replaced, then get a second check to see how honest they are being...
Speed and Style........... One day I'll get the speed bit.
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parisian62
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Hi Paul,
You need to try and pin your mechanic down to be more specific and/or a second opinion...Not a silly question...how old is your mechanic? Young or old school?
Is it suspension and/or steering and/or brakes?...It may be a case of replacing king pins...
I'm sure there are plenty on the Forum that can offer advice...
regards
Stewart
You need to try and pin your mechanic down to be more specific and/or a second opinion...Not a silly question...how old is your mechanic? Young or old school?
Is it suspension and/or steering and/or brakes?...It may be a case of replacing king pins...
I'm sure there are plenty on the Forum that can offer advice...
regards
Stewart
Feelin free in a '61 FB.
Member of FB-EK Holden Car Club Of NSW Inc.
Check out the Rebuild of Old Timer
Member of FB-EK Holden Car Club Of NSW Inc.
Check out the Rebuild of Old Timer
I just picked her up from the mechanic this morning. He's a trustworthy guy but is not a Holden enthusiast or specialist and I don't speak his language (I work in IT, he's a mechanic) so the message probably isn't being translated with complete accuracy.
He's Dennis at Tanner Autos in Collingwood, Victoria (9417 4587).
Someone who knows what they're talking about might be able ask him (since he's just given her a service) exactly what's required.
The ball-joint option I was told about by Roger Hancock who did my trimatic conversion. He said he could spend an hour looking it over to assess it for about $50 which is not so much of a problem but he's an hour's drive away from me.
I'm not aware of suspension/steering/braking problems but I'm sure they could all be improved...
He's Dennis at Tanner Autos in Collingwood, Victoria (9417 4587).
Someone who knows what they're talking about might be able ask him (since he's just given her a service) exactly what's required.
The ball-joint option I was told about by Roger Hancock who did my trimatic conversion. He said he could spend an hour looking it over to assess it for about $50 which is not so much of a problem but he's an hour's drive away from me.
I'm not aware of suspension/steering/braking problems but I'm sure they could all be improved...
.The main problem with Mechanics these days is to Renew and replace, if it can't be bolted on it's in the Far To Hard basket. Many blokes now aren't even interested in the old school mechanicals now, and most new bloods wouldn't even know what your talking about.
If a Urethane Bush is not listed, they just won't touch it.
So it's a good idea to steer away from the inexperienced, or they will just stuff things on removal or cost you more trying to install.
I hope I haven't offened most out there, it's just what I have noticed in the changing world of the Wheel.
I have heard of even front end shops claiming they can't get Wheel alignments right on the Double wishbone front ends.......(the truth and reality is, they just don't know how to do it in the 1st place)............Um???????..........
Ask any newly crowned tradesman or 1st - 2nd - 3rd or 4th year and ask him to adjust your points for you...... you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about.
Regards John
If a Urethane Bush is not listed, they just won't touch it.
So it's a good idea to steer away from the inexperienced, or they will just stuff things on removal or cost you more trying to install.
I hope I haven't offened most out there, it's just what I have noticed in the changing world of the Wheel.
I have heard of even front end shops claiming they can't get Wheel alignments right on the Double wishbone front ends.......(the truth and reality is, they just don't know how to do it in the 1st place)............Um???????..........
Ask any newly crowned tradesman or 1st - 2nd - 3rd or 4th year and ask him to adjust your points for you...... you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about.
Regards John
There's nothing as Sweet as a EK V8
As a former mechanic I totally agree with Johns comment.
In my day it was attempt a repair first and if repair not possible then source a new or 2nd hand part.
It's just all part of the throw away society we are all now part of.
Far easier to replace than repair.
I was talking to my former boss a few months back and he said that the only carby repairs they do now is small engine repairs and like John said, ignition points are a thing of the past and they don't even teach most apprentices nowdays how a points ignition system works.
And, back on track to subject matter,
Paul,
Original kingpin front ends can be expensive to rebuild due to the cost of parts and time to fit if you are paying someone to do it.The rebuilder will also need some specialist tools for example, a kingpin bush reamer etc so not just any mechanic will do.You will have to find someone with the experience and the right tools.
HR Holden ball joint front end would be cheaper somewhat if you aren't sticking to originality.Most 2nd hand HR front ends usully sell for around $200 to $400 or so but may require a rebuild as well.
Easier to rebuild and cheaper option to some extent than the kingpin front end.
If you don't want originality I'd try for a HR Holden front end as I reckon it would be cheaper than a kingpin rebuild even taking into account the initial purchase cost of a 2nd hand HR front end.
Hope that helps,
Terry.
In my day it was attempt a repair first and if repair not possible then source a new or 2nd hand part.
It's just all part of the throw away society we are all now part of.
Far easier to replace than repair.
I was talking to my former boss a few months back and he said that the only carby repairs they do now is small engine repairs and like John said, ignition points are a thing of the past and they don't even teach most apprentices nowdays how a points ignition system works.
And, back on track to subject matter,
Paul,
Original kingpin front ends can be expensive to rebuild due to the cost of parts and time to fit if you are paying someone to do it.The rebuilder will also need some specialist tools for example, a kingpin bush reamer etc so not just any mechanic will do.You will have to find someone with the experience and the right tools.
HR Holden ball joint front end would be cheaper somewhat if you aren't sticking to originality.Most 2nd hand HR front ends usully sell for around $200 to $400 or so but may require a rebuild as well.
Easier to rebuild and cheaper option to some extent than the kingpin front end.
If you don't want originality I'd try for a HR Holden front end as I reckon it would be cheaper than a kingpin rebuild even taking into account the initial purchase cost of a 2nd hand HR front end.
Hope that helps,
Terry.
I can't think what to write here so this will do.
Paul, I've just had my kingpins rebuilt by Fulcrams here in brisvegas. I supplied them with a NOS kingpin kit I got off Evilbay and they did the rest. The kingpin set cost me $80.00 and fulcrams charged about $240.00 to rebuild both kingpins. Rare Spares would want around the $240.00 mark for one replacement kingpin on exchange. If your kingpins are good then have the mechanic check your draglink if you any steering play. Mine has the stock cup and ball drag link and we adjusted these up after replacing all the cup and balls(NOS set again). Now she drives like a dream. I do think that my Van with ball joint front is alot tighter to drive every day and enjoyable. The new kingpin front on my Sedan still feels loose in comparisan, But its my weekender and don't need to drive it in peak hour everyday.
Cheers Theo Z.............
PS. I did do all the suspension front and rear at the same time for $1250.00.
Cheers Theo Z.............
PS. I did do all the suspension front and rear at the same time for $1250.00.
Watch for the early bird, He might be just getting home.
FB/EK Car Club of QLD.
FB/EK Car Club of QLD.