front suspension questions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
front suspension questions
So my lower and upper ball joints, lower and upper control arm bushings, and stabilizer links are all shot. I want to get good quality bushings and joints but wanted to get some insight form you guys on what manufacture you reccomend? MY shocks seem ok, I think they have been replaced before but my springs look original and could probably use a replacing as well. All other hardware is still in good condition so it doesn't need to be replaced. I'm thinking some sort of polyurethane type set. any comments or product reccomendation is welcome. Usually I order most of my stuff from ecklers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
I have a 1980 vette, and i bought the control arm bushings springs shocks etc from Ecklers. The ball joints and tie rod ends etc all came from Napa. The Rear trailing arms, and all 3 steering components were rebuilt by Yogi Bairs. It all came back looking great.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Shop around and make sure you get MOOG joints and tie rod ends. I like the urethane, have put in many sets and have put in rubber, I like the urethane. Ecklers has a pretty good kit, so does Vette Brake Products and Vansteel
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
From: Muskegon MI
Moog is a great brand name, I agree. We have used Moog, McQuay, Falcon, and a few others in the shop. We have been using XRF for the past 10 years and use them in all makes/models in the shop. They use full polished spherical ball studs and metal bushings, and I've never had a comeback on their parts due to failure in use. If you want to price them let me know. Don't forget to ask for the forum 1st time customer discount.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
I agree with the recommendations above. Go with the Moog. Quality really counts. Besides, this is a job you probably do not want to do again soon.
I would stick with rubber on the upper and lower control arm bushings for a daily driver. Poly will be stiffer, may give an annoying squeak may decrease you ride comfort. There are many good quality springs out there. Just remember that if you increase the spring rate, you will increase the handling at a decrease in you ride comfort.
BTW: do a search and read up on the pluses and minuses of Poly. Since you said: “I use my vette for a daily driver, so I do need to be concerned with quality.” I would stick to rubber.
I would stick with rubber on the upper and lower control arm bushings for a daily driver. Poly will be stiffer, may give an annoying squeak may decrease you ride comfort. There are many good quality springs out there. Just remember that if you increase the spring rate, you will increase the handling at a decrease in you ride comfort.
BTW: do a search and read up on the pluses and minuses of Poly. Since you said: “I use my vette for a daily driver, so I do need to be concerned with quality.” I would stick to rubber.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
alrighty, well MOOG it is for the ball joints and other rubbers. I still need to figure out what springs I want, I am looking at the ones on ecklers for 79.99 that are the softer but have less coils than the original 10 coil springs.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
If you want to keep the same ride quality, look up your spring rates and use that as a judge for replacements. I am sure other will correct me if I am wrong but front factory springs from Chevrolet may have been around 280 inch pounds, F-41 was 550 inch pounds and Daytona was 860 inch pounds. Not sure about the rears
You may want to look for spring rates in the stock range. As for the where, I doubt anyone actually makes springs. So you may have to ask WHO makes the Vette Brakes, Echlers, ZIP, Guldstrand, NAPA, etc, spring. Still available from your local dealer?
You may want to look for spring rates in the stock range. As for the where, I doubt anyone actually makes springs. So you may have to ask WHO makes the Vette Brakes, Echlers, ZIP, Guldstrand, NAPA, etc, spring. Still available from your local dealer?
