Hi David, The parts include 8 bushings, 4 ball joints, 2 sets of
special washers ( 1 upper,1 lower) and 2 coil spring insulators for a
total of about $250 from SS.
The labor jumpd to $272.50 which now includes aligment. The
crossmember will not be removed and nothing will be repainted. I
considered doing the work myself so I could take the time to repaint but
it seemed like a lot of work for a novice to save about $150 ( the
balance being spent on machine shop and alignment fees.)
Now for the rest of the story. I've really been looking forward to
restoring the front end but other less expensive,less complicated
projects keep coming first. So I finally made the sacrifice, bought the
parts and stayed up past midnight last night getting the car back
together so I could drive it to the shop at 5:30 this morning. With my
wife leading the way I followed her down the street, hit the brakes for
the stop sign and the pedal went to mush.
With brake fluid seeping down the firewall I eventually was able to
tow it to the shop because I didn't want to miss my appointment and
figured that I could solve the brake problem this weekend . At 4:30 I
got a voicemail from the shop asking me to call back. I knew it was a
bad sign when the message didn't say come get you car, it's all set.
Instead, I learned the mechanic doing my work had sliced his finger on
my car and was at the hospital.
So , on a beautiful 80 degree May weekend with only sunny skies
forcast, my bloodstained Alpine will be sitting in a damp garage with
the suspension half disassembled and it's owner fully disappointed.
Of course there is a lesson here. First , don't ever get your hopes
up that your car will be ready on time and second, use the recommended
brake fluid for these cars or your brakes won't last.
Rob Nanzig
67SV
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