After removing the front wheels, we pulled the SSBC brake calipers off and hung them out of the way. Do not disconnect the flex line to the caliper.After removing the front wheels, we pulled the SSBC brake calipers off and hung them out o The early Chevelle represents one of the most classic American two-door cruisers. Despite their size and weight, by '60's standards the Chevelle had a reputation for a great ride and better than average handling. In recent testing, we determined that almost every modern sedan or coupe we could get our hands on out-performed our stock '64 A-body. But, with modern advances in bushing material, suspension geometry, and dampening the A-body can be updated with state-of-the-art materials and made to perform as well as any modern 3,500-pound vehicle. We know it sounds hard to believe, so we quantified our results on the SUPER CHEVY "Road Rage" test track. The standard '64 Chevelle Malibu was designed with all rubber bushings front to back, as urethane was not yet used in these applications until many years later. The front suspension utilized a very small sway bar, springs that were designed for ride height, and shocks for good comfort. The rear suspension was not supported with any antiroll mechanism, nor was there any rigidity in the suspension itself. The greatest detriment of all for the '64 was the wheel and tire combination. The rubber used in the tires was harder and provided less grip than the compounds used in today's tires. In addition to the compounds themselves, sidewall technology and overall tire size has been greatly improved for modern applications. When rebuilding our '64 we chose to outfit the classic with a combination of urethane and rubber bushings, new ball joints, new inner and outer tie-rod ends, stiff lowering coil springs, adjustable shocks, larger sway bars for both front and rear, and an overall beefier rear suspension. None of the changes we made required any fabrication skills. Time and a bit of patience in the dirty-hands department were our greatest challenges. When finished we brought our '64 to long time SUPER CHEVY contributor, Jim Sleeper, to set up our alignment for the following day at the track. The outer connection to each tie-rod is disconnected from the spindles. The OE sway bar can then be disconnected. The shocks are held from three bolts, one from the engine bay and two through the lower control arm.The shocks are held from three bolts, one from the engine bay and two through the lower co After the upper and lower ball joints are broken loose, the spring can be compressed between the control arms. In our case, the front springs were excessively worn so a spring compressor was not needed. If you're not sure how stiff your OE springs are, we recommend a spring compressor, as it may save you from a broken nose.After the upper and lower ball joints are broken loose, the spring can be compressed betwe Removing the upper and lower arms is the next step. Jason, our Tech Center wrench keeps mental note of how many shims are used inside the upper arm, as it will make alignment that much easier.Removing the upper and lower arms is the next step. Jason, our Tech Center wrench keeps me The inner shafts can be pounded out of the upper arms. With the shaft removed, the bushings can be forced out. The use of an air chisel will definitely come in handy.With the shaft removed, the bushings can be forced out. The use of an air chisel will defi After grinding the rivets out of the upper ball joint, your air hammer will once again come in handy to press out the remaining portion of the rivet.After grinding the rivets out of the upper ball joint, your air hammer will once again com The new upper ball joint bolts in place exactly as the old one was removed. The inner shafts are inserted with the new bushings. A generic upper control arm bushing installation tool is recommended at this point in the fitting. The tool can be purchased at any quality automotive store.The inner shafts are inserted with the new bushings. A generic upper control arm bushing i With the lower arm held in place, remove the old bushings the easiest way possible. We found pressing them out with a large socket or piece of pipe in a vice works best. Installing the new bushings can be accomplished in a similar fashion.With the lower arm held in place, remove the old bushings the easiest way possible. We fou The lower ball joint is a much tighter fit. A hydraulic press is required; if you don't have one available, any professional mechanic will be able to do this portion of the assembly for a nominal fee.The lower ball joint is a much tighter fit. A hydraulic press is required; if you don't ha Once all the tabletop assembly is completed, the new lower arms can be installed as they were removed.Once all the tabletop assembly is completed, the new lower arms can be installed as they w The upper arms are installed in the same fashion. Right now is a perfect time to install all of the rubber bump stops provided in the PST kit.The upper arms are installed in the same fashion. Right now is a perfect time to install a The new Hotchkis springs are considerably beefier and lower than the OE springs. The opening for the bottom of the shock to pass through must be opened slightly for the new QA1 shocks as they are slightly larger in diameter than OE.The opening for the bottom of the shock to pass through must be opened slightly for the ne After correct shock fitment has been determined, install the new Hotchkis springs and QA1 shocks as one unit. As the lower arm is compressed use the spindle to hold everything together. Once the nuts have been threaded onto the spindle the tension can be removed from the arms.After correct shock fitment has been determined, install the new Hotchkis springs and QA1 The new Hotchkis sway bars can be installed. We used the provided lubricant silicon lubricant on all the urethane. Latex gloves will keep your fingers from being eternally sticky.The new Hotchkis sway bars can be installed. We used the provided lubricant silicon lubric After the inner and our tie-rod ends have been connected, attach them to the center link and spindle. Guesstimate the overall length for the time being, as the final adjustment will be determined during alignment.After the inner and our tie-rod ends have been connected, attach them to the center link a To complete the front end, remove the OE idler arm and replace it with the new PST arm. The bolts are accessible through the passenger side framerail.To complete the front end, remove the OE idler arm and replace it with the new PST arm. Th The new Weld Rodlite XP wheels and BFG g-force TA KD tires were fitted to complete the front end. Look pretty cool, huh? And boy do they grip!The new Weld Rodlite XP wheels and BFG g-force TA KD tires were fitted to complete the fro The Hotchkis TVS package included a rear sway bar, upper and lower rear arms, springs as well as all the necessary bushings with the exception of the upper housing bushings which we found at True Connections.The Hotchkis TVS package included a rear sway bar, upper and lower rear arms, springs as w The OE lower arms were removed and replaced with the boxed Hotchkis arms. The new arms utilize a greasable Energy Suspension urethane bushing provided by Hotchkis in the kit.The OE lower arms were removed and replaced with the boxed Hotchkis arms. The new arms uti With the rearend braced, it is lowered to aid in the removal of the original springs and shocks. The new QA1's and Hotchkis springs are bolted in the original location.With the rearend braced, it is lowered to aid in the removal of the original springs and s SOURCES Performance Suspension Technology (PST) Box 396 Montville NJ 07045 N/A www.p-s-t.com/ Energy Suspension 1131 Via Callejon San Clemente CA 92673 True Connections 3848 Pierce Street Riverside CA 92503 Hotchkis Performance 12035 Burke St., Ste. 13 Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 877-466-7655 www.hotchkis.net Sleeper Suspension Development La Verne CA 909-392-8886 Weld Racing Wheels 933 Mulberry Street Kansas City MO 64101 816-421-8040 BFGoodrich Tires 877-788-8899 www.bfgoodrichtires.com QA1 Precision Products 21730 Hanover Ave. Lakeville MN 55044 By Andrew Schear Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
