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I would like to tighten up the loose front suspension on my 1959 Corvette. Any tips on the many front suspension kits offered would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Re: 1959 Vette Front suspension
Stick with USA made parts. Moog is one that comes to mind. -
Re: 1959 Vette Front suspension
I would suggest that most of your "loose" feeling is the steering box. They repro the gears w/ shaft and it makes a huge difference. Don H.Comment
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Re: 1959 Vette Front suspension
The steering on my C1 was so sloppy it was dangerous. After putting up with it for too long, I went to take a long drive one day and it scared me so much, I turned around, and put the car in the garage where it sat for 7 years until I had the time to deal with it. I assumed it needed everything. My thought was to rip it all out and replace everything. Kanter is the least expensive supplier of these parts. All the usual Corvette vendors sell them, but Kanter is the cheapest.
When I went to do the work, I was pleasantly surprised. The front suspension is a metal bushing on metal design. Some parts seem to wear out, while others don't. I didn't need everything. Usual parts that wear out are the kingpins and the lower outer bushings. You do want to check all 8 pivot places, the drag link, the 3rd arm bearing, the kingpins, the tie rod ends, the wheel bearings, and the steering box. You do want radial tires on the car. You don't want tires that are more than 5-10 years old. You do not want to replace the upper inner pivot shaft unless you have to. The ST-12 is a good reference for this work.
When you do the work, you will almost certainly need to do kingpins. To do that job, you will need to keep the spring under control. Check the archives for advice on this procedure. That's also the time to replace any pivot pins.
I was intimidated by the prospect of doing this job. But in retrospect it wasn't too bad. 6 point sockets and a breaker bar are essential. Use Grade 8 fasteners everywhere. Use castle nuts and cotter pins where Chevrolet used them.Comment
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Re: 1959 Vette Front suspension
Thanks guys. I am waiting for good weather now.
DarrolComment
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