| Slant Six Forum https://slantsix.org/forum/ |
|
| 1976 D100 Front Suspension Rebuild Questions https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68599 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | Reed [ Fri Apr 10, 2026 9:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | 1976 D100 Front Suspension Rebuild Questions |
I have begun the process of a total rebuild of the front suspension on my 1976 D100. I am trying to avoid project creep, but I have some questions. The truck is 50 years old this year and the suspension is beat. All rubber is being replaced, brake hoses are being replaced, shocks brake pads, etc.... Questions: (1) Front springs- is there a way to tell if they are worn? I had no complaints when I was driving it for the last ten years, but one is already out and the other will be soon. Are they worth replacing "while I am in there" given the fact they are 50 years old? I saw no sign of a spring isolator in the upper spring pocket? Was one ever in there? (2) Brake calipers- basically same question. Rebuild while I am in there? Can you even buy caliper rebuild kits anymore? |
|
| Author: | Greg Ondayko [ Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 1976 D100 Front Suspension Rebuild Questions |
Sometimes the springs break and you will have to replace. I see no reason to not do it. Caliper rebuild kirs are readily availibe on rockauto. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dod ... r+kit,1720 Greg |
|
| Author: | Reed [ Sat Apr 11, 2026 11:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 1976 D100 Front Suspension Rebuild Questions |
Thanks, Greg. I might as well bite the bullet and replace/rebuild everything. I certainly don’t want to be doing this twice. |
|
| Author: | volaredon [ Sat Apr 11, 2026 2:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 1976 D100 Front Suspension Rebuild Questions |
I'm going thru the exact same thing on my 83. I replaced everything but the ball joints when I last owned this truck in around 2010. And it sat a handful of years while my cousin had it. The front springs I put in then, are staying. I did replace the busted rears though a couple of weeks ago. I also put new poly bushings in everywhere there's a bushing at the time except for the strut rods. Those are the only ones that are bad again. I'll be changing those but the upper and lower control arm bushings I put in there then are staying. I have all new ball joints, new tie rod ends and sleeves, idler arm and center link sitting here. The linkage I put on this truck then only has about 40000 on it, I usually don't but I'm keeping those parts I took off the 83, for my 85. The 85 is only a 1/2 ton What I'm lacking and would like to find is a good pair of the shields behind the rotors. I went to the junkyard this morning and they had several, every dam one was buried in the mud and shot as they put everything on its belly in this yard. Rotors dug in the ground, control arms on the ground. I found a scissor jack in the trunk of something else and tried to go after a couple of these but they're all shot. |
|
| Author: | Reed [ Sat Apr 11, 2026 10:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 1976 D100 Front Suspension Rebuild Questions |
I am adding new coil spring isolators from a 93 D150. I figure I might as well make the ride a bit softer and quieter while I am in there. Cheap enough from Rockauto. One thing I would like to add is a front sway bar, but that will have to wait until I find one cheap WITH END LINKS. |
|
| Author: | volaredon [ Sun Apr 12, 2026 6:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: 1976 D100 Front Suspension Rebuild Questions |
Ones from a 93 would be exactly the same as what a 76 would have had |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC-07:00 |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited https://www.phpbb.com/ |
|