Are all the Front End Rebuild kits created equal

[Scott Marzahl]

Every major vendor sells front end rebuild kits, are they all created equal? I'm usually prone to use Moog front end parts, mainly because of the known quality. Are these kits sold by vendors of decent quality, or is there a preferred one?

[Eric F.]

Re: Are all the Front End Rebuild kits created equ

It's been my experience you never know what type of quality you'll get from the major Corvette vendors. Some sell top of the line on some things and middle to low end on others. I prefer to bbuy from the local parts house so I can see hold hte part and check the quality before I leave the store.

I bought all the parts for my front end rebuild from Carquest Auto Parts. The parts guy gave me options of the less expensive imports or the more expensive parts made in USA. I choose the more expensive components and was pleased with them. Most of them appeared to be Moog parts, though they were in Carquest packaging.

Good luck.

(P.S. I have a 1975)

[Ken Edmunds]

Re: Are all the Front End Rebuild kits created equ

Don't buy the one from Ecklers-pure crap! One of my customers bought one for his 78. I threw it away and bought quality parts instead.

[Michael M.]

Re: Are all the Front End Rebuild kits created equ

I agree with Eric and Ken, I priced out the front suspension rebuild kits and my Moog chassis parts alone (from Advance Auto Parets) cost more than some of the kits. I know the vendors are buying at wholesale but the price differential was too much in my opinion to lead to any other conclusion than the chassis components in the kits are not top quality. I sourced everything independently myself, this way I know exactly what is going on my car.

[Gerard F.]

Eckler's kits- Yuk!

Scott,

Agree with Ken, I bought one of those suspension package kits from Ecklers. Found it to be totally unsuitable for a small block 67, with the front and rear stabilizer bars. Wound up reusing my original front stabilizer.

Then to add insult to injury, the total suspension kit had the wrong rear trailing arm bushings, and it took three days for a next day delivery, while my car was sitting on a lift in a shop.

If any of you BB guys need front(1-1/8") and rear (3/4") stabilizer bars, let me know and I will send them to you for the shipping, just to get them out of the garage.

Haven't done any business with Eckler's since. Lousy customer service.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Michael H.]

Re: Eckler's kits- Yuk!

Yikes, a 1 1/8" front sway bar? For a small block with street tires? Bet it was tough just going around the expressway loops at just the legal speed limit. You'd need a LOTTA tire, a LOTTA engine weight and a LOTTA "G" load to use a bar that big. The efficiency of any bar increases exponentially with size/diameter and that additional 1/8" over the GM F41 bar would have made your car want to go straight no matter what you did with the steering wheel. Good thing you removed all that junk, especially the rear bar. I don't think that kit should have been recommended for your application.

Sounds like another case of... "if a little is good, and more is better, then too much must be just right".

[Gerard F.]

Re: Eckler's kits- Yuk!

Michael,

I never put them on, I realized the mistake as soon as I got them. But try to send them. Actually there is no mountings for the rear bar in an small block. You have to modify the original, and that I wouldn't do.

I just couldn't believe, that they would advertise this kit and not qualify it for big blocks only.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Michael H.]

Re: Eckler's kits- Yuk!

Jerry,

A lot of people have installed rear bars on small block C2 cars over the years but I'll bet few ever tell the truth about the way the car handles after the installation. I'm sure this discussion will promote some feedback on the subject but all in all, these kits are just a miracle bolt on accessory, similar to the poly control arm bushings that supposedly make your car handle just like a new C6. Glad ya tossed the stuff back in the box.

[Michael M.]

Re: Eckler's kits- Yuk!

Jerry, I emailed you separately, but realized that might not have been the right thing to do. If you are serious about the offer on the sway bars, I am more than happy to take them off your hands, pay the shipping and unclog your garage. I have a big block and I am in the middle of a front, and soon rear, suspension rebuild. You can call me at 404-338-3120 to discuss. Thanks.