Van Steel
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: FL
Re: Van Steel (chigung)
My experience: Some years ago I bought a set of their offset trailing arms, complete with new rear spindles/bearings installed.
Inside a year I had snapped off both spindles. Losing a wheel isn't fun. Fortunately both times were at very low speeds, and the second time my caliper hung onto the wheel so there was no body damage.
Bear in mind this story is based on Van Steel hardware purchased back in 1995. It's possible they've changed things since then.
When I disassembled the broken parts, I noted that the splines were twisted. I concluded the materials they made those axles out of wern't the best. I am now running hardened spindle assemblies from VettePartsOnline.com (formerly Florida Calipers). No problems so far.
The Van Steel trailing arms seem to be very good, though.
-Noel
Inside a year I had snapped off both spindles. Losing a wheel isn't fun. Fortunately both times were at very low speeds, and the second time my caliper hung onto the wheel so there was no body damage.
Bear in mind this story is based on Van Steel hardware purchased back in 1995. It's possible they've changed things since then.
When I disassembled the broken parts, I noted that the splines were twisted. I concluded the materials they made those axles out of wern't the best. I am now running hardened spindle assemblies from VettePartsOnline.com (formerly Florida Calipers). No problems so far.
The Van Steel trailing arms seem to be very good, though.
-Noel
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Re: Van Steel (chigung)
Dave,
Art is a great guy, you can't go wrong having him do your bearings, t-arms, rear diff, whatever you need. I've done plenty of business there and I'm completely satisfied.
Art is a great guy, you can't go wrong having him do your bearings, t-arms, rear diff, whatever you need. I've done plenty of business there and I'm completely satisfied.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Haltom City TX
Re: Van Steel (chigung)
they want $310 a wheel to do them here localy (dallas/Ft Worth), with no warrenty.
So van steel is cheaper, and has a warrenty!
I think ill take door # 2
So van steel is cheaper, and has a warrenty!
I think ill take door # 2
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Re: Van Steel (chigung)
Hey Noel,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember a while back that Florida Caliper was really screwing people who ordered parts/brakes. Weren't they over on the east side of Florida near Orlando/Daytona? Or am I thinking of a different place? Some forum members paid for stuff they never got, one guy here...can't remember who though really got stiffed by them. But, as I said, I can't even remember if FC was the right name.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember a while back that Florida Caliper was really screwing people who ordered parts/brakes. Weren't they over on the east side of Florida near Orlando/Daytona? Or am I thinking of a different place? Some forum members paid for stuff they never got, one guy here...can't remember who though really got stiffed by them. But, as I said, I can't even remember if FC was the right name.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 78
Likes: 2
From: Valrcio Fl
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
Re: Van Steel (paso)
I picked up my trailing arms yesterday from Van Steel. What a great job, great 5 yr warranty. Arty is excellent! 2 t-arms rebuilt, new parking brakes w/all stainless hardware, poly bushings, and 2 new rotors......$817.00 All balanced and ready to go.
Rick
Rick
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Van Steel (chigung)
do they have a web site?
They did mine and I was very happy with the work they did. I sent them just the wheel assemblies. Besides looking good, I've never had a problem since.
Here's the fore and aft:
Fore (of course)
Aft: (of course)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: FL
Re: Van Steel (C3 Shark Tank)
Hey Noel,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember a while back that Florida Caliper was really screwing people who ordered parts/brakes.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember a while back that Florida Caliper was really screwing people who ordered parts/brakes.
-Noel
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 1
From: Traveling the US
Re: Van Steel (68rdstr)
I spend a lot of time over at VanSteel during my lunch breaks. They are absolutely top notch in my opinion. I have had them do trailing arms, bearings, to exhaust on my 2002. I am always completely satisfied!
