What are the 'average' replacement parts for a 308 front suspension? | FerrariChat
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What are the 'average' replacement parts for a 308 front suspension?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by PeterS, Jun 7, 2004.

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  1. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 24, 2003
    52,665
    Goodyear, AZ
    Full Name:
    PeterS
    #1 PeterS, Jun 7, 2004
    All of my car is in great shape. Now for the front end that has a bit of 'slop', what should I expect to replace.

    Thanks in advance for your replies.

    Pete
     
  2. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,758
    New Jersey
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    Barry Wolinsky
    #2 308 GTB, Jun 7, 2004
    Pete,

    Check your steering rack for any play (passenger side, usually), wheel alignment, suspension bushings, and shocks.

    Barry
     
  3. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,673
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #3 yelcab, Jun 7, 2004
    4 upper bushings on control arms
    4 lower bushings on control arms
    2 potential sway bar bushings
    remove / repaint / possible replace 2 front shocks
    Inspect ball joints

    While you're at it:
    1. remove front bumper and valence to inspect radiator, replace or repair any rust spots.
    2. Inspect / repair / replace battery box etc.
    3. inspect / repair fresh air blowers, tubes, etc.
    4. remove, inspect, repair / repaint front aux fans.
    5. remove, inspect, front spare tire pan

    Reinstall everything, knowing your front end is safe for another 10 years. You never know that MIG welding was so fun!!!
     
  4. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
    2,559
    Chicago
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    Philip
    #4 pma1010, Jun 7, 2004
    One of my first winter projects a couple of years ago was to replace all the control arm bushings, sway bar and endlink bushings, get the rack rebuilt and replace shocks all round. Makes a noticeable difference to the tautness of the car and its ability to absorb road imperfections. I strongly recommend it.
     
  5. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
    2,150
    way north california
    Full Name:
    chris morse
    #5 chrismorse, Jun 7, 2004
    Peter,
    I am i the process of doing this just now. Birdman's recent posts on front and rear suspendion rebuiods and sway bar rebuilds are a good, well illustrated place to start. There is a lot of "well as long as we are in there doing x we might as well do y" so it is real easy to have this project mushroom into a winter project. I would like to point out that a lot of suspendionwork is progressive, that is, part a has to be taken off before b, before c,... A lot of work is a great deal easier to do when stuff is out of the way. for example with the shocks and a arms out of the way, it is a relative snap to replace the front brake lines.
    A work of caution. I just replaced the two $20 koni shock bushings, (with considerable physical effort), to find that after 200 miles the shocks were leaking - so now I'm doing new shocks and springs.
    Have someone who really knows check: the front ball joints, tie rod ends, steering rack and all boots. This will enable you to order all of the parts first before it gets off of the ground and is shreaded. Read the posts on who has good service and prices.
    Energy suspension's graphiteed polyurethane bushings are definitely the way to go. Have them mig or tig welded to the a arms. do not worry about retightening them on the ground. The inner and outter sleeves are not bonded to the bushing, it spins free.

    be happy to talk or email if yo have questions.

    regards,
    chris
     

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