Front Suspension rebuild recomendations
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Terre Haute Indiana
Front Suspension rebuild recomendations
I need to rebuild the front end on my 77. It seems the various Vette parts suppliers put together pretty good kits (ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings and such). Is there any kit that's better than the rest or am I better off buying individual parts?
Thanks
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 529
Likes: 113
From: Texas
I like the Van Steel kits, good Moog parts.
https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...p=3011&ID=2991
1963-82 Rubber Front Suspension Rebuild Kit (FSK-03)
- 2 Moog Upper Ball Joints (FS-11B)
- 2 Moog Lower Ball Joints (FS-31B)
- 2 Moog Inner Tie Rod Ends (ST-07B)
- 2 Moog Outer Tie Rod Ends (ST-08B)
- 1 Moog Idler Arm (ST-01B)
- 4 Upper A-Arm Bushings - Rubber (FS-03K)
- 4 Lower A-Arm Bushings - Rubber (FS-20K)
- 2 Sway Bar End Links - Rubber (FS-56)
- Price: $499.99 each
https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...p=3011&ID=2991
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
I just redid my front suspension with Moog chassis parts when appropriate, and Energy Suspension poly bushings for the swaybar and control arms. (Actually an SPC adjustable upper control arm, but I also have the poly bushings for the stock arms). Rock Auto is the way to go, as you know exactly what you get, though you can also get everything from Summit or Jegs. I also spec'ed turnbuckle tie rods with jam nuts, vs. the clamp-style of the stock C3.
What are you doing for shocks and springs?
What are you doing for shocks and springs?
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,222
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Avoid the middle man if you want to save a few bucks. Your local auto parts store can get you the mood parts, but you have to talk to them to make sure they know what they are talking about
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; May 2, 2019 at 06:43 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
If you have any interest in upgrading your suspension now is the time to do it. Honestly everyone should replace their upper controls with newer units that have geometry corrections in them to make the car handle better at interstate speeds.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
+2 for all Moog parts from Rock Auto AND Poly upper and lower control arm bushings which will eliminate a ton of front end slop^^^^^^^^^^^. One of the best upgrades I did for the front suspension was energy suspensions upper and lower poly control arm bushings...use blue loctite on the bolts and all will good.....
Last edited by jb78L-82; May 2, 2019 at 07:53 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 215
Likes: 86
A little bit off topic but I think relevant. I overhauled my front suspension last year and in the process decided to clean up the frame. Had all the radiator stripped out as I am in the process of rebuilding and customizing the car. Anyhow, the frame on my car has always been supper clean and rust free, but on very close inspection I noticed small cracks in the steel on the shock mount towers, if you can call them towers but I guess that you know what I mean. Cracks were only on the passenger side. I welded them up but as a precaution I fitted a strut brace to spread the load. I use an electric fan so clearance was no issue, I do not think you can use the mechanical fan with a strut brace but if nothing else I would strongly suggest that you get in there and check yours out for any cracking. Hope this is useful information.
Pete
Pete
Last edited by Pzark; May 2, 2019 at 08:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Speeddirect front spreader bar on my 78 L-82 4 speed with a mechanical stock fan fits perfectly.....
https://www.speeddirect.com/index.ph...3-spreader-bar
https://www.speeddirect.com/index.ph...3-spreader-bar
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 5
From: Fort Mill SC
+2 on the Willcox Deluxe Kit. They frequently run weekend sales - https://willcoxcorvette.com/willcox-special-sale
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 215
Likes: 86
Speeddirect front spreader bar on my 78 L-82 4 speed with a mechanical stock fan fits perfectly.....
https://www.speeddirect.com/index.ph...3-spreader-bar
https://www.speeddirect.com/index.ph...3-spreader-bar
Last edited by Pzark; May 3, 2019 at 12:29 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
All the parts in our SU01 branded kits are Moog and/or Federal Mogul (which owns Moog). I will not install any other kit in my shop.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=28&q=su01
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=28&q=su01
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 529
Likes: 113
From: Texas
All the parts in our SU01 branded kits are Moog and/or Federal Mogul (which owns Moog). I will not install any other kit in my shop.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=28&q=su01
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=28&q=su01
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 365
From: Tolland CT
Likely referring to the tubular upper control arms that are available at various vendors. They are stronger than OEM and allow us to get the camber where it should be. The OEM arms are not so good for that.
If you are considering replacing your arms with aftermarket I am going to assume that keeping the car stock is not a concern for you. At the very least you may want to consider going to poly bushings, it will make the car handle a lot better.
If you are considering replacing your arms with aftermarket I am going to assume that keeping the car stock is not a concern for you. At the very least you may want to consider going to poly bushings, it will make the car handle a lot better.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
All the parts in our SU01 branded kits are Moog and/or Federal Mogul (which owns Moog). I will not install any other kit in my shop.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=28&q=su01
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=28&q=su01
OP,
The important thing to consider is to get the best quality parts.
In the suspension kits it is the quality of rubber and the quality of the associated components in the kits.
Wilcox’s kit looks just like the Moog/Federal Mogul kit I received through Van Steel.
I don’t think you could go wrong with either kit.