Great series of videos, thank you. I have a 124 Azzurra out of Pensilvania. Im based in the UK. I am going through the same pleasure as yourself. Im just installing the front suspension with new ball joint kits. I noticed that your bottom swivel was mounted from above the lower wishbone. When I removed mine it was mounted from below the wishbone, I remember taking before pictures and grinding off the nuts and bolts and the wishbone was protected by the thick ball joint flange. Please do correct me if Im wrong, both ball joints, top and bottom, may need to be mounted from below the wishbones. Hence the thick wishbone flange is taking the pressure of the weight of the car. If you mount the lower wishbone from above, only the three bolts are supporting the weight of the car. Love the bumper tuck.
The front springs are a wrestling match to get out without a spring compressor but doable. Go ahead and get the lowering springs from Vickauto.com, much easier to install. It's a few videos later.
I will see if I recorded that. It wasn't too hard. I burned out the rubber with a torch, just the cheap kind from a Lowe's or something. Then I used the ball joint fork and a hammer to beat out the metal portion. Then you can remove the center link and push out the other side with the vice and a large socket.
Warning: note that the spindle cracks and wheel comes off when the front bearing fails due to lack of grease. I experienced a catastrophic failure and almost lost my life in high speed commuter traffic on the Interstate. When the left side spindle cracked the Spider broken left front spindle quickly pulled me into the high speed lane and the truck driver that was in that lane was able to stop quick enough to not touch me or the cat at all.. The trucks front right wheel stopped about six inches from my left eye socket. I almost had a heart attack. Here’s what happened that caused the failure; I failed to pack the “Wheel Hub Bearing Grease Dust Cap” I removed the grease thinking the same as you that it was not needed. But I over torqued the front hub nut by just a little and it caused the bearing to get so hot when driving that the spindle cracked right off. I ws told that the cup fileld with grease works like this: The cup, when it is full of grease acts a hot pan that melts the grease allowing it to flow towards the hot bearing and spindle. If bearing begins to get hot the heat gradually melts enough grease towards the failure. Your wheel may wobble a little when the bearing fails and these acts like a warning for you to replace it. This should be reason for you to replace the failed bearing. The packed grease in the cup allowed you extra time to get home safe and fix it. I lived to tell this tale.
So about to tackle the control arms rebuild…I gues what I have are from factory since the ball joints are riveted in place. So, do I grind them out till they fall out? Thx.
Been watching your stuff for quite a bit now! Love it and enjoying my spider. I’m having a hard time finding the control arm/A arm bushing though… where did you purchase those bushings? Also what about from sway bar bushings and where to purchase them?
@@ELDESTBuilds only reason I asked was I had to replace a hub on my 1980. Ordered a new hub, and front bearing kit from place you have been getting many of your Fiat parts. Didn't come with metal snap ring. I replaced both bearings sets on on the front of the car. When I got to the driver's side original hub I found the metal snap ring. Question what's your thoughts should I pull apart the passenger side and install snap ring from old hub? Or is it fine without out the snap ring?
@@lizzieandbob1 The hubs I used where factory and came that way. Could have been a number of reason the snap ring was not on there. The internet will lose their minds over stuff like this. Bearing packed with grease, initial torqued and then readjusted to smooth should be fine. The inner is pushed up against the flat part of the spindle and the outer is pressed in by the washer and nut.
Love your videos. Thanks!! I am doing a front end rebuild now and was hoping you could answer a question. How did you remove the upper control arm bushings and connecting piece? I did not see that in your videos. TIA!
A crow's foot ball joint tool and a BFH. Put the upper in a vice and bam, bam. You can also burn them out with a torch and then cut out the sleeve with a hacksaw
Thanks for making these videos. Kinda prepping me for what to get into.
Glad you can use them
Great series of videos, thank you. I have a 124 Azzurra out of Pensilvania. Im based in the UK. I am going through the same pleasure as yourself. Im just installing the front suspension with new ball joint kits.
I noticed that your bottom swivel was mounted from above the lower wishbone. When I removed mine it was mounted from below the wishbone, I remember taking before pictures and grinding off the nuts and bolts and the wishbone was protected by the thick ball joint flange.
Please do correct me if Im wrong, both ball joints, top and bottom, may need to be mounted from below the wishbones. Hence the thick wishbone flange is taking the pressure of the weight of the car. If you mount the lower wishbone from above, only the three bolts are supporting the weight of the car.
Love the bumper tuck.
I did the same thing, it looks like you're correct. I'll put it on the list of things to do.
Great video mate. I just bought a 74 Spider and I've read so many horror stories that I can't wait to get it and rebuild the front suspension!
The front springs are a wrestling match to get out without a spring compressor but doable. Go ahead and get the lowering springs from Vickauto.com, much easier to install. It's a few videos later.
Hi enjoining your videos just wondering in how you removed your old bushings from the lower a arms.
I will see if I recorded that. It wasn't too hard. I burned out the rubber with a torch, just the cheap kind from a Lowe's or something. Then I used the ball joint fork and a hammer to beat out the metal portion. Then you can remove the center link and push out the other side with the vice and a large socket.
I don't have a video of me removing the lower bushings, sorry
Warning: note that the spindle cracks and wheel comes off when the front bearing fails due to lack of grease. I experienced a catastrophic failure and almost lost my life in high speed commuter traffic on the Interstate. When the left side spindle cracked the Spider broken left front spindle quickly pulled me into the high speed lane and the truck driver that was in that lane was able to stop quick enough to not touch me or the cat at all.. The trucks front right wheel stopped about six inches from my left eye socket. I almost had a heart attack. Here’s what happened that caused the failure; I failed to pack the “Wheel Hub Bearing Grease Dust Cap” I removed the grease thinking the same as you that it was not needed. But I over torqued the front hub nut by just a little and it caused the bearing to get so hot when driving that the spindle cracked right off. I ws told that the cup fileld with grease works like this: The cup, when it is full of grease acts a hot pan that melts the grease allowing it to flow towards the hot bearing and spindle. If bearing begins to get hot the heat gradually melts enough grease towards the failure. Your wheel may wobble a little when the bearing fails and these acts like a warning for you to replace it. This should be reason for you to replace the failed bearing. The packed grease in the cup allowed you extra time to get home safe and fix it. I lived to tell this tale.
Glad you are ok
Thank you for the info!
Great stuff. Where are yu located website?
Brenham Tx, there is no website, here and the socials.
So about to tackle the control arms rebuild…I gues what I have are from factory since the ball joints are riveted in place. So, do I grind them out till they fall out? Thx.
Yes, it's a rivet. Grind the ball joint side till flush with the ball joint. Then a hammer and punch, it out the control arm side.
Been watching your stuff for quite a bit now! Love it and enjoying my spider. I’m having a hard time finding the control arm/A arm bushing though… where did you purchase those bushings? Also what about from sway bar bushings and where to purchase them?
Vickauto.com is where it comes from, but check out the Prima 1 kit. I've done it both ways. And the prima kit is much less frustrating.
@@ELDESTBuilds thanks so much! I’ll check those sites out
Prima 1 kit is on Vickauto.com
Hi was wondering if your hubs didn't have a metal snap ring between the bearing and the seal?
Very observant, one did and one did not. 40 year old car?
@@ELDESTBuilds only reason I asked was I had to replace a hub on my 1980. Ordered a new hub, and front bearing kit from place you have been getting many of your Fiat parts. Didn't come with metal snap ring. I replaced both bearings sets on on the front of the car. When I got to the driver's side original hub I found the metal snap ring. Question what's your thoughts should I pull apart the passenger side and install snap ring from old hub? Or is it fine without out the snap ring?
@@lizzieandbob1 The hubs I used where factory and came that way. Could have been a number of reason the snap ring was not on there. The internet will lose their minds over stuff like this. Bearing packed with grease, initial torqued and then readjusted to smooth should be fine. The inner is pushed up against the flat part of the spindle and the outer is pressed in by the washer and nut.
Love your videos. Thanks!! I am doing a front end rebuild now and was hoping you could answer a question. How did you remove the upper control arm bushings and connecting piece? I did not see that in your videos. TIA!
A crow's foot ball joint tool and a BFH. Put the upper in a vice and bam, bam. You can also burn them out with a torch and then cut out the sleeve with a hacksaw
@@ELDESTBuilds thanks!!
Do you think it's necessary to replace the races? I noticed you dropped the bearings in. Thanks
Races not required if in good condition. Theses were not burnt, but new bearings are cheap.
@@ELDESTBuilds I thought so but wanted to make sure. Mine are good too. Thanks!
how to remove the old bushings in the lower arms
?
Vise and a big socket on the other side, uppers used a crow foot ans a hammer.
1:26 that yogurt looks tasty
I only see aliens eating Butterfingers on TV
@@ELDESTBuilds it's a delicacy where I'm from
You should try the Greek yogurt, it is amazing
@@ELDESTBuilds I will