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I have my beautiful rims, covers and Coker tires on my '56 and they look fantastic. It is time,now,to pay attention to the front end. Before I align it I want it to be brought back up to specs. Do I purchase an entire front end rebuild kit or do I go part by part? I want to avoid buying a bunch of parts I don't need. My mechanic will do the work and he thinks some of the parts might be OK but tie rod ends, etc. will need replacing. Are replacement parts available at the GM dealer or am I forced to go to the parts catalogs? I have seen NOS parts on ebay but they can get pricey. I am not judging for Top Flight so I guess it doesn't really matter if the part says "GM" or "Moog" on it. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
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Re: C1 Front End Resto
A lot of the front end parts are available from NAPA, such as kingpins and probably tie rod ends. The other pieces can be ordered on an as needed basis rather than the kits. -
Re: C1 Front End Resto
I agree, if you don't really need it, don't but it. Most of the cheepo kits are really import dung. How else do you think they be so cheap?
Then again the other half of the cerebellum, says "If you don't have it, you may some day need it and it will be impossible to find."
I'm like Joe. I hoard parts for my cars.
Geoffrey CoenenComment
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an answer and a general question...
My '55 has 120k on it, just replaced the 35 year old "Allstate" shocks with Delco gas shocks. Way smoother ride, and when I press down on the fenders the car actually moves. I this the stiff old shocks killed my kingpins, but there is no apparent slop in any of the other pivots, so I've put kingpin (only) replacement on my list.
Has ANYONE tried the roller-bearing kingpins from Stainless Steel Brakes? This question was asked here some months ago, I never saw a yes.Comment
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Re: C1 Front End Resto
I just did this last Winter. Because the front end was in such bad shape, I too expected everything needed replacement. Not so. And if you don't need to replace the upper inner bushings and pins, you don't want to. Very difficult job. Kingpins probably do need replacing. They're the weakest link. Lower outer pins and bushings seem to go next. The 4 pin/bushings on the control arms are easy enough to check before you go replace them all. The tie rod ends are also easy enough to check before you replace them. Don't forget to check the third arm bearing.
Cheapest place for front end parts is Kanter.Comment
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Re: an answer and a general question...
I haven't tried the roller bearing kingpins, so I cannot speak from experience. However, I can't imagine that you could tell teh difference between them and a properly installed and lubricated standard kingpin. Both need lubrication to last.Comment
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I gotta think that at nearly $200...
SOMEBODY must think they are worth the expense and trouble. I keep hearing how great front wheel roller bearings are the best thing since sliced bread...Comment
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Re: I gotta think that at nearly $200...
Well, it's a good sounding thing. However, the notion that the needle bearings are going to reduce steering effort seems a bit far fetched to me. The thrust bearing is where most of the friction is and again, if properly lubricated, there isn't going to be much. No doubt the needle bearings will outlast the bushings, but the bushings will last for many, many years if properly lubed. This is particularily true given that most of these cars are driven a few thousand miles a year.
The roller bearings for the front wheels is a horse of another color. The premis of these bearings is better tracking rather than durability or friction. I have a set that I am going to install sometime in the near future and try to do an objective comparison. There is nothing wrong with my ball bearings, and I suspect many of the comparisons have been between new rollers and worn out ball bearings. I want to see if I can actually tell any difference. I will share my findings when I get around to making the changeover.Comment
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I'll be waiting...
every time I hear about these things I get closer to springing for them. I'd sure like to know the bearing numbers, 'cause I could probably get them wholesale at a fraction of the price the Corvette houses charge.Comment
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Re: I'll be waiting...
I'll be glad to provide you the numbers. I too thought that I could probably go to the local power transmission store and get the bearings much cheaper. However, it seems they are a special, application specific bearing. I understand that they are no longer in production, but I have no verification of this.Comment
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Please do...
The bearing supplier I deal with has only been stumped once in 10 years.Comment
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Re: Please do...
This may make twice.
The bearings are manufactured by MBS (Japan) The numbers are: Inner- 909067R Outer- 909052R. They do not have separate numbers for the cup and cone portions as you are used to seeing. Apparently someone had a batch of these bearing run some years back. There are bearing manufacturers who will run off a batch of as few as 1000 pieces if the price is right.
You can write to D&D Antique Auto Parts, 103 Hickory St., Maylene, Alabama 35114-6037. They sell the bearings for around $100/set. He also sells them on eBay.Comment
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