I've been cranking away at a frontend rebuild on the 164. Renewing bushings and balljoints a PITA, as always. I went up to the local autozone this time and rented a 'ball joint press'. If you don't have a machine press in your garage I highly recommend this. Letting all of the new parts sit in the freezer for a few days helped, also.

I ended up getting the correct 164 upper bushings and comparing them with the ones JParker uses for the 140's. Sorry to say they are Completely Incompatible. Luckily my uppers seemed to be in good shape so I will be able to return the stock ones I had purchased. Replaced the idler arm bushing as well as the lowers. All clunking, squeaking, popping has been eliminated.

While I had the front end apart I decided to swap the front springs for something fun. I got some progressives from John and threw those in. The ride height is now totally screwed up, raked low in the front, but I can work that out. I have a stock swaybar and this car as always rolled horribly around turns. The springs made a night-and-day difference in how much it leans. The car handles 100% better around turns - just like I installed a beefier swaybar.

Pictures - http://pics.1800philes.com/164_suspension/

steve