Searching the site, I see where different manufacturers have been talked about (Moog, Dana, etc) and different suppliers as well (espo, Global West, PST, etc..) but here's a question hopefully someone can give a direct answer to: For a 1970 GS convertible (455), who makes a complete front end kit with moog rubber parts that will be a proper fit and/or does anyone know the correct parts #'s for all the moog pieces so that someone as inexperienced in this stuff as me can go to the parts store and order them? To be honest, I'm not sure what all is needed, as some of the prior posts discuss what seems to be a basic rebuild, and other posts talk about an extensive redo, so if anyone has input I'd rather get all the numbers (so I'll at least have them, even if I don't take it that far). My car has very low miles (61,000) but since I've had the car the front end's never been redone and from what I know about 2 prior owners, they did routine maintenance but extremely doubtful any rubber ever replaced, so this should change ride/handling significantly (by the way, I did replace all shocks with gas units). All input appreciated. I'm going with rubber because I doubt I'm gonna need poly since I won't be doing any drifting in the 'vert :Brow: but rather mostly straight line hard 'til the curves :3gears: Thanks MT
OPG - put one on my 70 HT. The only part you need seperately is the center link (check out Auto Zone/Advanced - about $40) and the idler arm. Nice kit, cheaper then the jobbers, all OEM MOOG stuff. I wanted rubber, not poly. - Bill
Matt I searched the planet for a good quality rubber kit. I even considered poly as OPGI got over $400 for their kit MINUS the center link. I ended up at Advance Auto and bought each individual part. The whole thing cost me under $310 and it's TRW made in USA. The funny thing was, they had almost everything on the shelf. What he didn't have he got the next morning by 10:00. The kits consist of upper/lower ball joints, upper/lower control arm bushings, inner/outer tie rod ends, tie rod adjusting sleeves, and stabilizer bushings. But no center link. I didn't need stabilizer bushings as I'm taking mine off.(they're cheap anyway) I did get the center link. I'm going to assemble the steering linkage on the ground next to the old linkage which I removed as an assembly. That way they'll be close in length when I install it and can drive it to the alignment shop.
Here Matt. All Moog part #'s and prices from RockAuto.com Upper Ball Joint K5108 $16.98 Lower Ball Joint K5103 $20.79 Inner Tie Rod End ES406L $38.79 Outer Tie Rod End ES406R $38.79 Idler Arm K5143 $24.79 Upper Control Arm Bushings K5196 $7.73 Lower Control Arm Bushings K6076 $14.30 Adjustment Sleeves ES2004S $8.91 Upper Control Arm Shaft Kit K5250 $35.99 Sway Bar Link Kit K8266 $5.20 Sway Bar Bushing K5253 $4.72 Center Link DS749 $51.79 Front Springs 5536 $82.79
Reynold - why didn't you get the MOOG kit from OPG? Their kit was $280? Were they back ordered? - Bill
535418 round 71/72 KIT $474.95 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 round Front End Rebuild Kits Most complete kits to be found anywhere. Manufactured and assembled exclusively for OPGI IMPORTANT INFORMATION Ever wonder why there is such price fluctuation when shopping for a front-end rebuild kit? Well, there are many reasons for such differences, but the following are the most important: Some companies sell (so-called) kits that are not complete, so they are able to offer a "kit" at a reduced price, which looks great at first glance, until you look closer to see what is in them. Others offer a kit that has the same components at a greatly reduced price. OPG has actually checked out, and ordered these kits from competitors to note what the differences were. One supplier claims "Made in the USA parts", but when we got them they were only assembled in the U.S.A., allowing certain companies to claim the "Made in U.S.A." banner. Well, the old story "you get wh COMPLETE KIT INCLUDES: Upper and lower ball joints Inner and outer tie rod ends Idler arm assembly Upper and lower control arm bushings adjustment sleeves This is from OPGI. Price: $474.95 I got all the parts in this kit for $299.29. It's all TRW and made in USA. I even got the center link included. TRW DS 749 Center link $33.73 TRW 12162 Control arm bushing $16.92 (4.23ea) TRW 12258 Control arm bushing $12.26 (6.13ea) TRW 12237 Control arm bushing $12.46 (6.23ea) TRW 10197 Ball joint $39.46 (19.73ea) TRW 10195 Ball joint $23.56 (11.78ea) TRW 18634 Idler arm $18.88 TRW ES406R Tie rod $63.78 (31.89ea) TRW ES406L Tie rod $63.78 (31.89ea) TRW ES2004S Adjusting sleeves $14.46 (7.23ea) $299.29 + tax.
Bill On second look they do have a cheaper kit on their web page. They didn't when I bought my set. Another thing was the center link. Their's doesn't include it. Also, shipping.
Good Info Thanks guys. Seems the variance is something we all are aware of...certain kits have certain things, off the shelf may be better and cheaper if you don't mind the inconvenience. I'd invite anyone else to chime in if they have other thoughts, suggestions or opinions. I'd also like feed back from anybody on TRW vs. Moog parts...I really don't know much about TRW stuff, but the Moog rubber components have typically gotten good feedback on the Board from other members. I appreciate everyone's help on this.
Matt: I generally use www.espo.com. which sells name brand stuff like Moog. Sometime compare a Moog front end part with say a PST which is a big advertiser but really expensive. One pic is worth a 1000 words. The difference in quality is apparent with the Moog hands down the winner.
Bill They do show one kit on their web page #RK1007 standard front end kit for $244. Shows to be idler arm, ball joints, bushings, tie rods and adjusting sleeves. No center link. This must be something recent. It wasn't there a couple of months ago.
