Front suspension replacement.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Front suspension replacement.
Hullo. In the process of pulling and cutting the springs ont he front of my '77, I have learned I have poor rubber. I am now facing a job of replacing all the bushings and joints in the front, both sides. Control arm bushings top and bottom, sway bar links, inner and outer tie rod ends, and top and bottom ball joints both sides. I may even have to redo the some of the rear, but for now it's the front. I need a good source for a kit, that comes with all that, that would save a little money over buying each piece by itself. Any ideas? Zip? Ecklers?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1864
Search the forum for "vansteel coupon" or something of that sort. They have a 10% discount for forum members.
Search the forum for "vansteel coupon" or something of that sort. They have a 10% discount for forum members.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by Kalway
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1864
Search the forum for "vansteel coupon" or something of that sort. They have a 10% discount for forum members.
Search the forum for "vansteel coupon" or something of that sort. They have a 10% discount for forum members.
Sweet, I'll look into that for sure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: Florissant MO
www.muskegonbrake.com
63-82 Super Poly Front Susp Rebuild Kit $229
63-82 Poly Front Suspension Rebuild Kit $169
63-82 Super Poly Front Susp Rebuild Kit $229
63-82 Poly Front Suspension Rebuild Kit $169
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I'm using a mish-mash. VB&P heavy-duty tie rod ends and sleeves (sourced from a forum member who didn't need them), Moog ball joints (from CarQuest), and an Energy Suspension Hyperflex polyurethane bushing kit (eBay, $60 less than the Summit price).
I didn't look at your lower bushings, but the uppers were pretty dried out and cracked. Not surprising after 30 years. Heck, my Jeep has a few bushings that are getting worn and it's only 6 years old.
For the convenience, the complete poly kits from VanSteel or VB&P are hard to beat. http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=461 Not sure if those are rubber or poly tie rod and ball joint boots. AutoZone should be able to get the ES poly boots for $10-$15.
I didn't look at your lower bushings, but the uppers were pretty dried out and cracked. Not surprising after 30 years. Heck, my Jeep has a few bushings that are getting worn and it's only 6 years old.
For the convenience, the complete poly kits from VanSteel or VB&P are hard to beat. http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=461 Not sure if those are rubber or poly tie rod and ball joint boots. AutoZone should be able to get the ES poly boots for $10-$15.
Last edited by I'm Batman; Sep 1, 2006 at 01:39 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Too bad you missed the VanSteel front suspension kit sale last month (posted on this board).
Complete Poly kit for $200 shipped!!! I bought one... that's patiently waiting for me in the garage.
Eddie
Complete Poly kit for $200 shipped!!! I bought one... that's patiently waiting for me in the garage.
Eddie
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I just scored a great deal at ZIP for the front suspension. Got the entire kit for $129, plus a few other goodies like a removable rear window seal, and new from grilles. Be here Tuesday...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
Rubber or Poly?
Rubber. I pondered that too when I was looking through their kits. Poly would be great but I garage the car and I don't drive it all that much. I can maintain the rubber's health fairly easily and won't have to worry about changing them again for anothet 15-20 years.
Poly would be great if I had extreme handling in mind, or fears of weather conditions eating up the rubber.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
I just did mine and went with VB&P. They are awesome over there, very professional and friendly. Excellent tech support and customer service every time I need to call them. Ask for Pattie or Gary.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by supervette77
I just did mine and went with VB&P. They are awesome over there, very professional and friendly. Excellent tech support and customer service every time I need to call them. Ask for Pattie or Gary.
Wonderful looking '77 Super. Love that color. Anything custom?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by Van Steel
The kit you got from zip doesn't include all the tie rod ends you need. Did you buy the extra 2 you need.
I actually already had the two inners from last year, I thought I needed them to pass inspection. I bought them and never installed them. Turned out my sidepipes wouldn't pass and I ended up getting a 'Dark Inspection.'
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
IMO - poly over rubber just for the ease of install without removing radiator/shroud.
Be warned you need to get the shroud out of the way before you
torque the bushing end bolts while entire weight is sitting on suspension.
Poly doesn't matter - torque them in a vice - since they rotate like a hinge, not twist like rubber does.
Good luck
I am extremely pleased with my VanSteel poly kit, also.
When it was missing one of the special bumper bolts for the lower
ball joint, Dan sent one out to me that day - no questions, no problems.
Be warned you need to get the shroud out of the way before you
torque the bushing end bolts while entire weight is sitting on suspension.
Poly doesn't matter - torque them in a vice - since they rotate like a hinge, not twist like rubber does.
Good luck
I am extremely pleased with my VanSteel poly kit, also.
When it was missing one of the special bumper bolts for the lower
ball joint, Dan sent one out to me that day - no questions, no problems.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I actually already had the two inners from last year, I thought I needed them to pass inspection. I bought them and never installed them. Turned out my sidepipes wouldn't pass and I ended up getting a 'Dark Inspection.'