Front end suspension kit recommendations
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Front end suspension kit recommendations
1979. No mods other than headers. Original L48 with a/c. Any recommendations for front end kits. It seems they are mostly the same. Tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints and the rest of the nick nacks. Price ranges are from $220 to $320. There doesn't seem to be any difference. I guess poly is preferred? I think I need a steering cylinder too. Pulls to the right and really squirrely over 60mph. Most of the rubber bits are worn out. They may have never been replaced.
Thanks for any thoughts!
Thanks for any thoughts!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
When I did mine Rock Auto was the cheapest place for Moog parts.
MOOG K6035 (2x) (ball joint lower)
MOOG K6034 (2x) (ball joint upper)
MOOG K5196 (2x) (control arm upper)
MOOG K304 (1x) (arm lower, does both sides)
MOOG ES323L (2x) (tie rod inner)
MOOG ES323R (2x) (tie rod outer)
MOOG K6100 (1x) (Idler arm)
Wheel bearings
19768 SKF - TIMKEN 9406S Wheel Seal
TIMKEN SET5 Wheel Bearing
TIMKEN SET3 Wheel Bearing
Let the rubber vs poly debate begin
M
MOOG K6035 (2x) (ball joint lower)
MOOG K6034 (2x) (ball joint upper)
MOOG K5196 (2x) (control arm upper)
MOOG K304 (1x) (arm lower, does both sides)
MOOG ES323L (2x) (tie rod inner)
MOOG ES323R (2x) (tie rod outer)
MOOG K6100 (1x) (Idler arm)
Wheel bearings
19768 SKF - TIMKEN 9406S Wheel Seal
TIMKEN SET5 Wheel Bearing
TIMKEN SET3 Wheel Bearing
Let the rubber vs poly debate begin
M
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,737
Likes: 2,192
From: Golden Colorado
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
When I did mine Rock Auto was the cheapest place for Moog parts.
MOOG K6035 (2x) (ball joint lower)
MOOG K6034 (2x) (ball joint upper)
MOOG K5196 (2x) (control arm upper)
MOOG K304 (1x) (arm lower, does both sides)
MOOG ES323L (2x) (tie rod inner)
MOOG ES323R (2x) (tie rod outer)
MOOG K6100 (1x) (Idler arm)
Wheel bearings
19768 SKF - TIMKEN 9406S Wheel Seal
TIMKEN SET5 Wheel Bearing
TIMKEN SET3 Wheel Bearing
Let the rubber vs poly debate begin
M
MOOG K6035 (2x) (ball joint lower)
MOOG K6034 (2x) (ball joint upper)
MOOG K5196 (2x) (control arm upper)
MOOG K304 (1x) (arm lower, does both sides)
MOOG ES323L (2x) (tie rod inner)
MOOG ES323R (2x) (tie rod outer)
MOOG K6100 (1x) (Idler arm)
Wheel bearings
19768 SKF - TIMKEN 9406S Wheel Seal
TIMKEN SET5 Wheel Bearing
TIMKEN SET3 Wheel Bearing
Let the rubber vs poly debate begin
M
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,383
Likes: 1,755
From: Seattle Area Washington
Here are a few more MOOG numbers,
I know Mooser included the upper and lower control arm bushings but there are also kits that include the shafts if yours are shot.
MOOG ES677S (2x) Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve
MOOG K8989 (2x) Sway Bar End Link Kit
MOOG K6172 (1x) Front Stabilizer Bushings (Standard Suspension)
MOOG K6104 (2x) Upper Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit
MOOG K293 (2x) Lower Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit (If you can find them)
I know Mooser included the upper and lower control arm bushings but there are also kits that include the shafts if yours are shot.
MOOG ES677S (2x) Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve
MOOG K8989 (2x) Sway Bar End Link Kit
MOOG K6172 (1x) Front Stabilizer Bushings (Standard Suspension)
MOOG K6104 (2x) Upper Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit
MOOG K293 (2x) Lower Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit (If you can find them)
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
Here are a few more MOOG numbers,
I know Mooser included the upper and lower control arm bushings but there are also kits that include the shafts if yours are shot.
MOOG ES677S (2x) Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve
MOOG K8989 (2x) Sway Bar End Link Kit
MOOG K6172 (1x) Front Stabilizer Bushings (Standard Suspension)
MOOG K6104 (2x) Upper Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit
MOOG K293 (2x) Lower Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit (If you can find them)
I know Mooser included the upper and lower control arm bushings but there are also kits that include the shafts if yours are shot.
MOOG ES677S (2x) Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve
MOOG K8989 (2x) Sway Bar End Link Kit
MOOG K6172 (1x) Front Stabilizer Bushings (Standard Suspension)
MOOG K6104 (2x) Upper Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit
MOOG K293 (2x) Lower Control Arm Shaft & Bushing Kit (If you can find them)
The adjusting sleeves are probably reusable but I'd hate to get into all this and realize i need to replace them too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 269
From: S.E. MI
St. Jude Donor '15
I used a kit from a corvette supplier and the lower ball joints went bad after a few thousand miles. The cheap kits are not worth it.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 3,994
From: Connecticut, USA
You will learn how cheap and quality do not work together
cheap is just that
quality costs more and for good reason
the last “kit “ I bought was advertised as white box Moog it was a lie and was imported junk it was cheap in price and quality I threw it in the recycling barrel and that was over 10 years ago
you have the part numbers just find the best source but be careful Moog only makes one upper and lower ball joint
choose wisely or you will be doing it again and remember this for everything
cheap is just that
quality costs more and for good reason
the last “kit “ I bought was advertised as white box Moog it was a lie and was imported junk it was cheap in price and quality I threw it in the recycling barrel and that was over 10 years ago
you have the part numbers just find the best source but be careful Moog only makes one upper and lower ball joint
choose wisely or you will be doing it again and remember this for everything
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
You will learn how cheap and quality do not work together
cheap is just that
quality costs more and for good reason
the last “kit “ I bought was advertised as white box Moog it was a lie and was imported junk it was cheap in price and quality I threw it in the recycling barrel and that was over 10 years ago
you have the part numbers just find the best source but be careful Moog only makes one upper and lower ball joint
choose wisely or you will be doing it again and remember this for everything
cheap is just that
quality costs more and for good reason
the last “kit “ I bought was advertised as white box Moog it was a lie and was imported junk it was cheap in price and quality I threw it in the recycling barrel and that was over 10 years ago
you have the part numbers just find the best source but be careful Moog only makes one upper and lower ball joint
choose wisely or you will be doing it again and remember this for everything
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,258
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Quality in car parts is much like buying oats.
If you want good, clean fresh oats. You pay the market price.
Now, if your willing to settle for oats that have been through a horse already. Well, these come a bit cheaper.
If you want good, clean fresh oats. You pay the market price.
Now, if your willing to settle for oats that have been through a horse already. Well, these come a bit cheaper.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 65
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
In a related thread from 2006 the kit from VanSteel seemed to work for some but they still today stand behind their products.