Rebuilding Suspension
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
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From: sw Ohio
Rebuilding Suspension
I know I need all 4 front ball joints and probably some bushings too. They look completely shot. I'd like to know what else I should get. I'm on a budget and dont necessarily need the best parts as I dont take it to the track. What would you guys recommend? 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
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From: Apple Valley MN
Corvette Recycling has control arms with the ball joints and bushings already installed, $399 for the set. Just for comparison purposes, I checked Rock Auto for ball joints, and it looks like Moogs would cost about $300 for the set. The control arm set would be a much easier solution, I think.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
If you are going that deep...
lower it
poly bushings
new rotors 13" (J55 or C5 upgrade)
30-32mm sway bar
new shocks
steel braided brake lines
lower it
poly bushings
new rotors 13" (J55 or C5 upgrade)
30-32mm sway bar
new shocks
steel braided brake lines
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Corvette Recycling has control arms with the ball joints and bushings already installed, $399 for the set. Just for comparison purposes, I checked Rock Auto for ball joints, and it looks like Moogs would cost about $300 for the set. The control arm set would be a much easier solution, I think.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Those things would be great except if I lower it anymore I wont make it out of the driveway and I just put new brake pads on it. I'd like to get poly bushings but they seem so damn expensive. Is there a place to get them for cheap? Also i'm trying to keep the budget around $600-$700, sorry I should have specified.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
You should contact Corvette Recycling to see if they have any early C4 control arms. I did mine this past weekend using their $400 set, and it was pretty easy. Remove old, bolt on new.
If not, I would DEFINITELY buy Moog parts. Yes, they are more expensive. However, I went with cheap Chinese ball joints from Mid America about a year ago, and they were WORN OUT AFTER A YEAR!!! I've done 3 autocross events (12 minutes total of driving?), and the rest is mostly highway. That's ridiculous. Get nice parts the first time around. AC Delco or Moog.
If not, I would DEFINITELY buy Moog parts. Yes, they are more expensive. However, I went with cheap Chinese ball joints from Mid America about a year ago, and they were WORN OUT AFTER A YEAR!!! I've done 3 autocross events (12 minutes total of driving?), and the rest is mostly highway. That's ridiculous. Get nice parts the first time around. AC Delco or Moog.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Are you just rebuilding the front? Or everything?
A master bushing set is less than $300, a c shaped ball joint press is $30, front A-arms from CR is $400. The bushings for both sway bars is less than $70. Jack and jack stands is less then $200. New tie rod ends are about $100.
So if you just want to do the front you need the jack, stands, front sway bar bushings, and the A-arms from CR, total about $635, and two weekends.
A master bushing set is less than $300, a c shaped ball joint press is $30, front A-arms from CR is $400. The bushings for both sway bars is less than $70. Jack and jack stands is less then $200. New tie rod ends are about $100.
So if you just want to do the front you need the jack, stands, front sway bar bushings, and the A-arms from CR, total about $635, and two weekends.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
Do I need tie rods? I dont know what those even do. If I dont need them then i'll just do the control arms. Buying the whole control arm set looks like the way to go, part numbers show '84-'96 as using the same ball joints, control arms, tie rods, etc.
I'm also going to be replacing the rear wheel bearings but shouldnt be too hard. The shocks seem bad and I know they were replaced by the previous owner.
I'm also going to be replacing the rear wheel bearings but shouldnt be too hard. The shocks seem bad and I know they were replaced by the previous owner.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Do I need tie rods? I dont know what those even do. If I dont need them then i'll just do the control arms. Buying the whole control arm set looks like the way to go, part numbers show '84-'96 as using the same ball joints, control arms, tie rods, etc.
I'm also going to be replacing the rear wheel bearings but shouldnt be too hard. The shocks seem bad and I know they were replaced by the previous owner.
I'm also going to be replacing the rear wheel bearings but shouldnt be too hard. The shocks seem bad and I know they were replaced by the previous owner.
I would do tie rod ends, personally. If the ball joints are worn, there's a good chance they are also. No use spending money tightening up the front end and leave the steering loose. The tie rod ends are what connects the steering rack to the knuckle, they have a ball joint on them similar to the ones on the control arms.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
For the rear wheel bearings, go with Corvette Recycling as well. N.O.S. AC Delco bearings for $100 each. You can't even beat that with crappy stuff from AutoZone.
I would do tie rod ends, personally. If the ball joints are worn, there's a good chance they are also. No use spending money tightening up the front end and leave the steering loose. The tie rod ends are what connects the steering rack to the knuckle, they have a ball joint on them similar to the ones on the control arms.
I would do tie rod ends, personally. If the ball joints are worn, there's a good chance they are also. No use spending money tightening up the front end and leave the steering loose. The tie rod ends are what connects the steering rack to the knuckle, they have a ball joint on them similar to the ones on the control arms.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
I got my moog tie rod ends from rockauto.com, at the time they had the best prices for moog parts.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
I got AC Delco ones from Corvette Recycling. They aren't listed on their website, but I inquired about them when I bought a steering rack and they had a pair. You might want to give them a call, I don't know how the price will compare to moog though.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
I checked Rockauto and the Moogs are about the same price as the AC Delco, but i'll give corvette recycling a call and see if they have any more for cheaper, otherwise i'll get the Moogs. One more question guys, on the sway bar how do I know what size I have? Its a non-Z51 85, and rockauto lists 22mm, 24mm, 26mm, and 30mm. Thanks
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
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From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Try Keen Parts, they are down in Ross.