Front end rebuild
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Front end rebuild
I am planning on getting my front end rebuilt. My mechanic wants to charge me $1,200.00 to do everything including springs and alignment. I just have to choose which kit. I want it to handle awsome. Its not my daily driver but, my girlfrind rides in it, so it cant be too harsh. What do you think about the price and what kit/manufacturers do you suggest for my situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Monument Colorado
Re: Front end rebuild (vetterATL)
That sounds like a LOT!!! It's a fairly big job for the do-it-yourselfer, but shouldn't be that big for a shop. I did my own on the Vette, but had a shop do my truck a couple years ago and he charged me about $600 (not that much different from the Vette). You might want to shop that one around, unless he's going to do a lot of repainting, etc. while the F/Es apart.
I used the Vette Brakes Poly kit. It's working great and I can't tell that it's any rougher riding than the original rubber bushings.
I used the Vette Brakes Poly kit. It's working great and I can't tell that it's any rougher riding than the original rubber bushings.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Front end rebuild (vetterATL)
I am planning on getting my front end rebuilt. My mechanic wants to charge me $1,200.00 to do everything including springs and alignment. I just have to choose which kit. I want it to handle awsome. Its not my daily driver but, my girlfrind rides in it, so it cant be too harsh. What do you think about the price and what kit/manufacturers do you suggest for my situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Thanks in advance for your help.
(also including new lower control arms)
:cheers:
Olivier
P.S. Labor was $580
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: Front end rebuild (GrandSportC3)
Wow Those prices seem really high to me. My front end kit cost me $170 for ZIP (Rubber) that includes all tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm and a-arm bushing. I know there are some things a shop may get new also like tie-rod tubes etc, but parts should be less than $400 unless you get 4 new a-arms. A-arms reconditioned in all the catalogs go for less that $100 apiece. I'd shop around it sounds like a classic case of Oh, this guy owns a Corvette he'll pay anything and can afford it. If I had a shop do mine (I am in the process of doing it myself now) I wouldn't pay over $700 parts and labor.
John
John
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Front end rebuild (theandies)
Wow Those prices seem really high to me. My front end kit cost me $170 for ZIP (Rubber) that includes all tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm and a-arm bushing. I know there are some things a shop may get new also like tie-rod tubes etc, but parts should be less than $400 unless you get 4 new a-arms. A-arms reconditioned in all the catalogs go for less that $100 apiece. I'd shop around it sounds like a classic case of Oh, this guy owns a Corvette he'll pay anything and can afford it. If I had a shop do mine (I am in the process of doing it myself now) I wouldn't pay over $700 parts and labor.
John
John
Thanks
Olivier
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: Front end rebuild (GrandSportC3)
Corvette Central...Lower a-arm or upper a-arms (used/reconditioned) left or right $77.00. P/N 572047 Page 129 of catalog 3B. I don't know if this includes ball joints or bushings but for that price I don't think you can go wrong. The new ones are $200+ but again I think that may be a case of "Oh he has a Corvette". C3 front suspension is "GM Off the shelf" parts. This is the only way the the bean counters let Zora have an independent rear suspension. These control arms can be found on a lot of GM cars. Get a parts cross referance book and you maybe able to see which cars also used them and get them out of a junk yard for cheap.....the "Oh this guys owns a 1967 Impala.....we'll just give them to you" (because they feel sorry for you).
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