Suspension

You don't need to do any welding if you use the Energy Suspension brand bushings. The bushings fit the original housings. I am not sure about the other brands.

 

I’m changing all bushings and installing VariShock coil over right now, in fact I just got all my A arm back from the powder coating shop. For front and rear A arms, I’m using the original bushings for the rear which are 20% harder than the front.

Nick has the better polyurethane bushing kit that is graphite impregnated that eliminate the squeaking.

 

Rubber bushings should be tack-welded; poly bushings don't require it.

 

You can do this project yourself by farming out the more technical work. When I did this a few years ago, I basically disassembled the A arms, coil overs, ball joints and brake calipers. You can ask here for recommendations in your area for quality shops that can rebuild each of the components including installing the bushings. You will need to purchase new ball joints. Once everything is returned, you can simply go through the process of reassembly. You will need to get an alignment done afterwards. While you have everything out, you may also want to consider replacing all of the wheel bearings as well. You will be pleased with the result and get the satisfaction and enjoyment of doing this project yourself.

 

The tack welding is straightforward.

If you can do the rest of the work yourself, you can take the arms with the new bushings installed into a shop with a welder and you can show them where to do the tack welds. You don’t need a specialist. For example, the folks at a muffler shop weld day in and day out.

It shouldn’t be much time so shouldn’t be expensive. Its probably 15 minutes work if all the bushings are in place.

 

I used the Energy Suspension Bushing and have been happy with them. Birdman's site has a good tutorial on installing them. He uses a press but I was able to remove the old ones in my vise bench vise. My shocks were in good shape so I replaced the rubber bushings and called it good. If you decided to go with the original style rubber bushing you can press them in and take them to a competent welding shop and have them tacked. I found the job pretty easy but it depends on your experience and comfort level.

 

Here’s the link for Nick Forza suspension bushing kit:https://www.nicksforzaferrari.net/ferrari-308-328-mondial-a-arm-bushings.html a friend of mine just installed this a few weeks ago and he is very satisfied

 

I just completed this job. It's very doable, and fun in it's own way. There was definitely an onion peeling component for me; I ended up doing bushings>coilovers>brake caliper rebuild>sway bushings>steering rack rebuild>hub bearings, and blast/coat of the a-arms. welding not needed, but a hydraulic press was, for me at least...

 

I just completed a full on suspension restore,since the factory design and components worked so well over my 20 years and 100,000 miles (85k I put on ) of ownership, I used all OEM Koni factory shocks, bushings, upper and lower ball joints , tie rod ends as well as factory front and rear sway bar bushings. I wanted to mention that replacing all motor mounts made the most difference. I would suggest you replace yours as well. I did not replace the original springs. Im not sure if that would have made a difference, because my 328 handles fantastic .

Thank you

 

Check out this link: QA1 Shocks and Springs White Paper which is on the Support page of Unobtainium Supply Co www.unobtainiumsupply.com , run by forum member Verell. It's pretty detailed with part numbers etc. You need to buy a few items from Verell (Unobtainium Supply) to make them fit the a-arms without modifying the a-arms, and the shocks and springs can be bought from Summit Racing or others. You can't reuse the springs with the QA1 shocks, but everyone finds slightly stiffer than original springs to be preferable in conjunction with the QA1 shocks. Cost of the QA1 shocks is less than the Koni OEM replacements.

 

I need to do this badly.

But I want 100% stock components. Nothing fancy, no "upgrades". Just like it left the factory.

That did this car well for 36 years and I don't want a bunch of squeaks and a ride like a floorjack when I'm done.

 

The best upgrade as far as handling is concerned that you can do for any 308 / 328 is to go with 17 inch rims, then you can use better tires with super sticky rubber, this will be better than any other than stock shocks and springs , my opinion is that of keeping the car with the original suspension components which were mated to the chassis from the factory .My new used upgraded 17 s (compos ) are now wider than what I had before in 17s. , and my car now has even better mechanical grip than ever before. I dont expect my 328 to handle quite as good as a 4S or a Caymen, but the level of grip and feedback from the steering wheel is quite addictive , and maybe just a taste of what the F1 drivers of the 1970s felt while on the circuit !!

Thank you

 

Fun project, have done it twice!

replacing suspension bushings
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/index.php?threads/replacing-suspension-bushings.475497/


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Easy to do it yourself as others have said. Heat up the a-arm tube with a heat gun and press the bushes out slowly with a vice and some appropriate sockets. Check for cracks after pressing in the new ones and only get the weld to put two small tacks and cool with water between so as to not damage the rubber with heat. Remember that the bolts must only be tightened with the weight of the car on the wheels.

near the bottom:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/dereks-308-engine-rebuild.535247/page-16

 

Where did you source your bushings?

 

I would also like to tackle this DIY... going to be my next project after I fix my fuel pump!!!

 

I replaced the shocks and bushings on my 1984 QV last winter.
I totally concur with what Gordon C said above. The QA 1 shocks and Energy Suspension bushings gave me excellent results and no welding was required. I do suggest however that you use the specific Energy Suspension lube, which is almost like a glue, as opposed to any old silicone grease.

 

I purchased new Konis a few years ago. I think they were from the Tire Rack. They were not expensive then. My old shocks were all good. I wish I had not tossed them in the garbage

 

Isn't it possible to have the Konis rebuilt? For some reason, I was thinking that they could be redone.

2cam

 

I brought my shocks into Performance Shock Inc at Sonoma Raceway. They are a factory Koni rebuild place but even they said that it is just as expensive getting the shocks rebuilt as it is to buy new ones. Last time I looked earlier this year Tire Rack still sold them.

Regarding a-arm bushings, Superformace told me that they spec a firmer rubber in their bushings than the factory did.

 

I have oem control arm bushings I can let go. I’m now leaning toward Nick’s polymer bushings