C1 Front Suspension Components

[Rod K.]

Sorry to resurrect this topic again, but recently there was a question posed about the quality of front suspension rebuild components available from CC, Paragon, etc, vs NOS. I missed the response and have had no luck in the archives. I've priced king pins, upper and lower inner and outer pivots from CC, Paragon, Doc Rebuild and NAPA and find a fairly wide range in prices.

I'd think these pieces would likely be single sourced due to the low demand, so the question is, does anyone know if there is any difference in quality or would it be resonably safe to buy based on price alone?

Thanks for any insights.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Front Suspension Components

Rod,

I recently purchased an entire kit from Zip Products for a 59 I'm restoring. This kit was the deluxe kit with springs, aluminum shims, tie rods & tubes, king pins, 3rd arm bearing, sway bar links, etc.

The quality of materials of all of the major components was very good. All bushings for the threaded trunnions(as I call them) were quality pieces, and in particular survived all torque specs, upwards of 150 to 180 ft/lbs on some. I was pleased with the results. I however do not know the manufacturers country of origin. I suspect offshore.

The king pin kit was another story.....very displeased. The box had that "China appearance" if you know what I mean. The shims supplied appeared to be way over sized, like for a 1948 10 wheel GMC dump truck, and I had to use spares from my parts stash as the originals were rusted. The lock studs were over sized also, the flat on the stud not ground enough, and would not fit in the knuckle fully and not used. I re-used the original lock studs, and went to use the new lock washer and nut, and turned out the studs in the kit are metric threads.

20 odd years ago I used all nors Moog parts for my own 59 from a parts guy up in Salem NH. All high quality USA made pieces. I should have bought a few of those kits then! I also bought a complete set of New Departure front wheel bearings from him at that time. Wish I got more.

I think no matter who you get the front end parts from, they are likely from the same source these days.

Rich

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 Front Suspension Components

Richard, you mentioned sway bar link kit. Most of the kits have the wrong sway bar link bolt nuts in then. They usually come with a 5/16 inch fine thread nut with a normal 1/2 inch AF (across the flats aka wrench size) width. The nut width should be 9/16 inch AF - same size as the head on the sway bar link bolt. FWIW, Gary....

[John F.]

Re: C1 Front Suspension Components

I am very stisfied with the Paragon kit just installed in my 62! All pieces fit perfectly.

John F

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Front Suspension Components

Richard, you mentioned sway bar link kit. Most of the kits have the wrong sway bar link bolt nuts in then. They usually come with a 5/16 inch fine thread nut with a normal 1/2 inch AF (across the flats aka wrench size) width. The nut width should be 9/16 inch AF - same size as the head on the sway bar link bolt. FWIW, Gary....

Hmmm, Just did a few comparisons. Top=repro, middle=original, bottom=nos Service Replacement.

The SR has the 5/16" fine threads, but a 1/2" AF nut, where the original has that 9/16" AF nut you mention. The repro is 3/8" diameter long bolt, with a 9/16" AF course thread. Head of original and SR is 9/16" AF with a "U" marking. "U" not too clear on the SR.

Also, appears the original and SR is forged. Correct? It appears the repro is too.

Rich

[William C.]

Re: C1 Front Suspension Components

Sorry to resurrect this topic again, but recently there was a question posed about the quality of front suspension rebuild components available from CC, Paragon, etc, vs NOS. I missed the response and have had no luck in the archives. I've priced king pins, upper and lower inner and outer pivots from CC, Paragon, Doc Rebuild and NAPA and find a fairly wide range in prices.

I'd think these pieces would likely be single sourced due to the low demand, so the question is, does anyone know if there is any difference in quality or would it be resonably safe to buy based on price alone?

Thanks for any insights.

I'd start by looking for '54 Chevrolet parts and see what you turn up. Generally NAPA or other parts houses would be less expensive than a Corvette specialty house, and if you get a name brand manufacturer should be of good quality.

[John H.]

Re: C1 Front Suspension Components

Kanter Auto Parts has been mentioned by several folks in the past as a supplier of good C1 front suspension parts.

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 Front Suspension Components

Thanks all. NAPA prices are the highest I've checked so far by quite a bit. I'll check Kanter, hadn't thought of them. Thanks, John.