I just recently bought my first car a 69 malibu 350. I finished redoing the brakes and am now working on the suspension. I would like to get a front end kit,sway bar kit,springs and tires. Has anyone put these on themselfs? Would you recomend bring it to a shop instead. I would rather do it myself if possible but am not shure of the difficulty.I was looking at pst parts and wondering if anyone has purchased from them or recommend anybody else.
thanks
steve

I did the PST front end kit, Hotchkis springs, stock disc brakes, KYB shocks and the PST brand of sway bar. (g-max?)

It was a lot of work, mostly due to 35 year old bolts not wanting to move, but it was not a difficult job. Took a lot longer to take everything apart than it did to put it back together.

I say, do it yourself. Good wholesome hard work. It'll build character.

Tim.

Just be sure to take it to a reputable shop to be properly aligned when you are finished. You can get it close enough to drive with a tapemeasure, a level, a couple of 1" x 2" sticks four feet long and two long bungee cords. Drill two holes in eack stick. One that will be in front of the tire and one that will be behind the tire. The ends of the bungee cord will be clipped into the holes. If the cord is too long tie a knot or two in it. The stick has to fit tightly against the tire.

On a level spot, use the level to be sure the tires are nearly verticle.

Use the bungee cords to hold the 1" x 2"'s to the sides of the tires. First be certain each side is fairly straight to the body and adjust each side to be straight to the body. Last, use the tapemeasure to measure the distance across the boards at the back of the tires and then the front. Adjust to have about 2/16 to 3/16 inch total less at the front (toe in). Drive to shop slowly for correction.

I did mine at my own garage. I have no prior knowledge of taking a car apart. I used the PST super complete kit. Here's the website that I printed and just followed the steps. Front End (http://www.employees.org/~redneck/carstuff/front_procedure.htm)

I did mine in my driveway over a long weekend. Bought all the parts from Advance Auto to include springs, steering box, idler arm, inner & outer tierod ends, sleeves, center link, ball joints, sway bar links, and all bushings. Less than $500.

I didn't need to use a spring compressor. I had the car on jackstands, put a jack under the lower control arm, separated the ball joints and lowered it to the ground. The springs pulled right out. I rotated the new springs in to seat and kicked them up onto the lower arm and jacked it up until I could get a nut on the new ball joint.

I took my lower arms to a shop to get the bushings pressed in and out, but did the uppers myself. Let me know if you'd like to know how.

Notice the old springs in the pic. Don't know how it ever rode level with them in there.

http://ednsu.com/images/Front_End.JPG

A guy I work with bought a front end kit for his 64 Galaxy and had a shop install it for him. Cost him $450 (and he had already bought the parts.) The money you save could pay for them four new tires!

Hey
Thanks ALOT! That website is great. I am going to order my parts tomorrow and get working on it. I'll keep in touch.
steve

Hey
Thanks ALOT! That website is great. I am going to order my parts tomorrow and get working on it. I'll keep in touch.
steve