1980ZZ4

I've got the L81 out and thinking this would be a good time to rebuild the front suspension. I want to do the A-Arms, Ball Joints, tie Rods, etc. What kit do you guys recommend...where did you buy it? BTW, it's getting Bilstein Shocks at the same time.

scottw

Get a front suspension rebuild kit. Cost around 200 I think.
You can get them from any of the vendors on this forum. They are all basically the same.
Ecklers, Zips, Corvette America, Muskegon Brakes, etc.

You will like the results. Pretty simple job, just takes a little bit of time. Good luck.

cottoneg

Before making suspension recommendations, I have to ask the cars intended use. Street only, fast street, time trials or racing?

BTW: I would not ignore the rear suspension. Doing them together would probably be a good idea. They work together.

0Willcox Corvette

We only install the USA made kits in our shop.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...ension&x=0&y=0
The USA made kits contain Moog and Federal Mogal parts. (oh... use the sale code and you'll save 10 percent of the prices at that link too)

Poly kits are something we will not install in the shop. We sell them but do not install them. It's just my opinion but Poly kits belong on cars you intend to road race.. then they are a good thing. But on a daily driver... I'd stick to the stock USA made parts only.


IMHO,
Willcox

1980ZZ4

Street only. While it might see the quarter mile a couple times...it won't be road raced. I'm looking to replace the old worn bushings and tighten up the suspension to new+ standards. From experience, I do like the feel of the 550lb front springs I had on my 1980. I have replaced the rear spring with a new TRW spring and added bilsteins already. However, I believe you are correct...an complete update on the rear would be beneficial also. Recommendations?

cottoneg

For street only, Moog heavy duty replacements, with the Bilstein’s you mentioned and a good front and rear alignment would be a great start. Check all rubber where your sway bar is, upper and lower control arms, power steering sleeve, etc.

You mentioned the 550 pound front springs. I would order an F-41 suspension as they will be matched from and rear. With every upgrade, comes a minus. Stock front springs are (I think) 280 inch pounds. F-41 as you mentioned are 550 inch pounds. Ride quality may suffer a bit.

Another modification you may want to consider if you can not get the proper camber setting in the rear is a rear camber bar kit. I am sure any of your sponsors can send you a link to theirs.

cottoneg

I agree

oldalaskaman

I vote , Wilcox. Good parts , good service, and he's on here daily, not only posting for his business but helping with tech. He has a tech tip for caging the front springs thats genius and simple.

81pilot

I would order everything seperate. I also would go with all Moog ball joints. Some kits have one Moog and one other because of looks and originality, I will only use Moog on mine. I also went with all Energy Suspension poly bushings last summer when I rebuilt my front end. I love the handling improvement and if you use the correct grease no need to ever worry about sqeaks.

0Willcox Corvette

81 I would agree with you 100 percent on the Moog.. but the upper ball joint they are making is just to ugly...



The Federal Mogual joint is USA made, carries the same warranty and looks very close to being correct.

Sideways73

I went with WillCox and have zero complaints, great service, everything fit right, tons of tech support if you need it.

MikeKey

I'm a new Vette owner, and fairly new to this forum, and I've had nothing but great support and service from Willcox myself. They've made a life time customer for sure.

I'm about to redo my front suspension myself with a few upgrades. I am in the process of finishing the rear right now.

63split63

I agree with the stock bushings for anything but a real race car . There are a lot of bench racers lurking around that will swear by polly bushings but don't be fooled .

Bill

doctorgene

Hey, Willcox has the Bilstein's, & the front Sway Bar bushings too. Have a Great & Safe Memorial Day. Gene

I'm Batman

I have the ES bushings on the front of my car (and a few select spots in the back). No squeaks at all, and the lack of deflection in the suspension bushings is very nice.

Go with the Bilstein shocks, good springs and any USA-made ball joints (I like MOOG, despite the rather ugly style).

81pilot

I disagree, but don't care at all what it looks like, but sit one next to yours and the moog looks tougher. I could not care less about originality anywhere on my car and won't skimp. I bever plan on warrantys, that jsut means I have to replace something and I have never yet had to replace a moog ball joint.

63split63

Hi Batman , I thought you would chime in on this one .

Bill

69 Chevy

Generally, upper ball joints will last 100K miles.

I'm Batman

No harm in getting all sides of a debate out there.

If you're ever in this area, you're more than welcome to take my 77 out and see how the ES bushings feel on the street.

63split63

Deal !

Bill