Front End Repair Ideas

[chockey]

When my Vette comes out of storage about April 17 it is going to have the front end worked over, ball joints, control arm bushings, etc., everything new. I have been looking at buying a whole kit from Ecklers, Mid America, or something along this line.

What problems or solutions have you found to do a better job, are rubber bushing the way to go or not.

Chuck

 

[Ol Blue]

chockey

Sometimes the kits you buy from places like you mentioned are made in other countrys. Maybe they were ok, but I bought Moog parts, made in the USA and with a good established reputation for quality.
From what I understand, if you are not racing, the rubber bushings are the best option.

Ol Blue

 

[GTR1999]

Stay with rubber it should last another 30 years. Some of the kits are good but they are made up. Try to stay with Moog or TRW. Look over the kits too because soemhave inner and outer tie rod end others don't. Some have ilder arms too. The places you mentioned have higher prices for the same items other smaller places have.

 

[Ol Blue]

You should be able to purchase Moog or TRW from several of your local parts stores, but if not, http://www.summitracing.com has Moog parts. Page 203 in my catalog.
Ol Blue

 

[cwerve74]

I am just finnishing up a front end rebuild. I had not planned on any power steering work when I started but there it was dripping fluid covered in dirt and crud. Since I was in there it was just one or two more parts to take off & rebuild. You might want to think about the PS as well. I went for the kit and it has worked out OK. It had everything I needed 4 tie rod ends 8 control arm bushings, Ideler arm, 4 ball joints, 4 rubber bumpers and the sway bar ends. I think the price was around $200. I also replaced springs & shocks. Most of my effort has been in cleaning the parts I reused. Oh did I memtion I got a bead blaster as part of this projects. Price was not bad $60 plus I had to paint the dinnng room and wallpaper the hall for the wife. Sound like if I had shopped for just the parts, I could have gottten the bead blaster in the same money. The kit was just easy to do.

 

[The73vetteman]

I fitted Moog upper control arm bushings last year. They went in easy (well as easy as those things ever do) and have performed well since. Of course the car hasn't done that many miles .....

 

[chockey]

Hey Guys

Thanks for your ideas and it looks like I will use rubber bushings, has anybody ever delt with VBP Brakes and suspension, just another catalog that I received.
I will look into MOOG, again thanks

Chuck