Ok so I want to do the N+F+W body swap for my front end. Wheel bearings are dead again and I am wondering a few things:

1) Is swapping to the N-body bearing going to be a better solution since it is tougher?
2) Do you have to redrill the holes for the ball joints on the control arms or can I leave it that half inch longer? I kind of like the idea of an extra inch in the wheel width and would like to keep it if possible.
3) Is any special equipment required?

Thanks for taking the time to take a look. All answers and suggestions are welcome.


Whats up people?

javis hildebrand wrote:Ok so I want to do the N+F+W body swap for my front end. Wheel bearings are dead again and I am wondering a few things:
1) Is swapping to the N-body bearing going to be a better solution since it is tougher?
2) Do you have to redrill the holes for the ball joints on the control arms or can I leave it that half inch longer? I kind of like the idea of an extra inch in the wheel width and would like to keep it if possible.
3) Is any special equipment required?

1)Yes, the larger bearings spread the load over a larger surface area, so they are less stressed. Don't forget that the hub diameter is larger, so the hub on your rims needs to be at least 70mm, and you'll need hubcentric rings for the new hubs as well (unless you're going to be doing the rear as well and running N/W-body rims of course)
2) As long as your wheels aren't too close to the fender you can leave it full length
3) A big socket for the axle nut, something to remove the hub from the ball joint if you need to do so (depends on whether you keep the J arms or use the N), axle boots/clamps/pliers, and probably snap ring pliers (I haven't taken apart my axles yet, but most cars have a snap ring). Everything else should be standard tools.



fortune cookie say:
better a delay than a disaster.

If you're going in there to do the work... and your rims are dual bolt pattern... may as well do a whole bunch of upgrades at once!

Go to a wrecker. Buy a bunch of stuff from a 99 Grand Am or Malibu: aluminum control arms, knuckles, hubs, brakes, outer CV's. Then swap the whole works onto your car at once, and add some Prothane poly bushings while you're at it. The J-body struts will bolt to the N-body knuckles.

I did a bit more than that... but you get the idea

what about camber? will it still be good due to being 1inch larger?

I slotted the bottom hole on the strut housing to accommodate the change in camber. Beats camber bolts

Ok so I need some help.

Does anyone know where I can find parts for this? I went to the wreckers and they told me it would be cheaper to buy a wrecked car than just the parts cause it was going to cost 2000+ for the parts. Living in Saskatchewan sucks cause nobody has anything for parts.

So where the hell do I find parts ? ? ?
If someone could find and sell them to me I would be interested and willing to pay for labor at a reasonable price.


Whats up people?

Wow... that's like... 4x what they probably paid for the whole car

J-body cars go for ~$300 if they're 03-05 out here... N-body maybe $500... depending of course on how smashed up they are. I almost bought a whole car from the wrecker for $700... with minor, minor front end damage... just needed airbags, which I have a set of here... and the windsheild wasn't even cracked!! Ha ha....

Anyway... I'd hit up another wrecker if I were you. Here in BC, I got the 99 aluminum N-body control arms, with the knuckles... for $100 cash. Then the brake calipers, rotors and hubs were from a Park Avenue... $50 or so... got the axles too but it was part of the whole drivetrain swap i bought from them... so... $150 and I was set.

...j