The aluminum lower bracket that mounts over top of the lower A-arm that mounts the bottom of the shock and sway bar mount is badly cracked. I can either cut out a larger piece and fit in a new piece of aluminum and have it tigged, or I can purchase a good used or new piece. What are these mounts called? Where do I get a replacement? Are they pricey?
Are hub assemblies all created equally? I put a new hub on the driver's front a few hundred miles ago and it isn't dead-quiet. Should it be? I noticed that the OEM hubs seem to be more robust than aftermarket, or is this my immagination? Comments please.
That is called the "lower shock and sway-bar mounting bracket" position 32 in the FSM drawing and I would replace instead of repairing. Front suspension failures can be too catastrophic to gamble...
The lower control arm needs to be inspected as well. Bushings will likely need to be replaced in that corner..
There are dozens of used/salvage places around the country. Look on
flea-bay for a seller and do a search of his sales. I know of 2 yards on the west coast, 4 in Fla area and a couple in the Gulf coast,Ga, Pa and Mich. All very reliable with good parts for sale, not junk. In fact, I am planning on visiting a local yard Monday that advertised a clean 87 thats to be sold as parts because its worth more in pieces than it is whole.
Regarding the
hub assy.....you have to consider what/where you buy the parts. Noise of anykind from a bearing assy is not right. The spindle nut could be loose, or its just a loose bearing thats already failing. Check the nut first...If you can hear it,.
something is very wrong.
The Chinese have flooded the American market with cheap bearings made of inferior steel and they end up in knock-off hubs and other parts everyday. They have "cloned" just about everything you can think of. Auto parts is a HUGE Chinese industry. 99% for export to the U.S.
How can you tell the difference? The price. A China-bearing sells for $80 and the real OEM part is somewhere north of $150. "Deals" on critical parts just don;t happen that often. With a shrinking market, fewer local mfg see profit in making parts for 25 yr old cars, so that leaves the door wide open to junk imported pieces.
