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Front End suspension rebuild 66 Coronet

Drock

Drock

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Looking for some suggestions on parts, kits etc.

Recently my power steering went out and I've been waiting to tackle the job until I could afford to do all the front end in one shot.

This is what I'm thinking: New Steering box, new power steering pump, all new upper/lower control arms etc. I considered keeping it stock and just replacing the bushings etc on my old equipment, but honestly, by the time I get that all done, I may as well have purchased a QA1 or similar kit and saved my self a lot of headaches. (also want to try and get it done in a weekend with a case a beer a couple buddies)

Note: I will not be converting to disc as I just rebuild the brakes system last year. This a cruiser I don't intend to it take to the strip.. I want to increase the drivability and handling (some street racing mostly with mopar buddies.)

Wondering what parts you guys have used with success etc. ? Any help would be greatly appreciated as always.
 
You told us what you are doing with the car, and keeping the drum brakes on your cruiser. So that makes aftermarket control arms overkill. I understand the time involved vs bolt on parts ready to go. What is your budget? $$

Better money spent will buy you a front sway bar and bigger torsion bars. What have you got now? Firm feel boxes are a great upgrade.

What size engine? Any aluminum parts? Headers or cast iron manifolds? AC or plain heater. Trying to get an idea of weight.p of your car.

(Now don’t anybody get offended here) You can do a lot with good shape stock parts and a proper alignment. Rubber bushings that are new are quite capable of supporting a nice driving car that can go around a corner. I’m not a fan of these aftermarket control arms, I don’t know what they cost. I do know I read many different problems in installing and using them. Figment, noise, binding, running, etc. Could be the installers fault. I read others that love them. Your mileage may vary.
 
Last edited:
Here's my combo on my E which has worked very well.... Level 3 steering box - the biggest Helwig sway bar - BIG FF T-bars- Boxed my lower control arms- PST adjustable strut rods (good deal from JAMES @ PST for members here) - greaseable pins (we machined in a lube groove) all new bushings (offset in the upper A's ) - I'm prolly forgetting something else. I don't race but do yourself a favor and upgrade your front brakes. (Unless you got some rare numbers car.) My upgrade has saved me more than once. - Bilstein shocks. Night and day handling difference while maintaining stock appearance
 
PST offers complete front end steering rebuild kits, probably the most reasonable, when adding up all the parts singularly, and mention you are a FBBO Member, and get an additional 10% OFF, with FREE shipping...
 
R413 said:
You told us what you are doing with the car, and keeping the drum brakes on your cruiser. So that makes aftermarket control arms overkill. I understand the time involved vs bolt on parts ready to go. What is your budget? $$

Better money spent will buy you a front sway bar and bigger torsion bars. What have you got now? Firm feel boxes are a great upgrade.

What size engine? Any aluminum parts? Headers or cast iron manifolds? AC or plain heater. Trying to get an idea of weight.p of your car.

(Now don’t anybody get offended here) You can do a lot with good shape stock parts and a proper alignment. Rubber bushings that are new are quite capable of supporting a nice driving car that can go around a corner. I’m not a fan of these aftermarket control arms, I don’t know what they cost. I do know I read many different problems in installing and using them. Figment, noise, binding, running, etc. Could be the installers fault. I read others that love them. Your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

The idea of using new control arms is that I can literally pop them in no need to make a jig etc.. I don't have a full "mechanics garage" so ease of installation goes a long way to keeping my wife off my back ;-)

My budget is around 2k, I'd like to spend less but from all my digging around on jegs and summit , thats about what it's going to cost.

It's all stock now..

383 , Dougs Headers. AC car.
 
I also should have mentioned I have to do my torsion bar bushings at the same time..
 
 
VANDAN said:
PST offers complete front end steering rebuild kits, probably the most reasonable, when adding up all the parts singularly, and mention you are a FBBO Member, and get an additional 10% OFF, with FREE shipping...
Click to expand...
Yeah i might have to just call them , as the site leaves a little something to be desired..
 
Drock said:
Nice, I saw the drDiff kit wasn't sure if it was worth it or not. this idea definitely makes the short list.
Click to expand...

I have trouble finding machine shops around me that wont beat the crap out of, and bend the control arm when replacing bushings, so that worked out well for me. I'm searching for a cheap used 20 ton press so I can do my own in the future.

I feel your pain, I did my rebuild in my driveway. It took about 2 weeks by myself. I hadn't done one in 30 years, so it went relatively well. I soaked everything with WD40 a couple weeks before, that definitely made things go smoother.

My Front End Friday videos might or might not help.
 
For shocks....Bilstein. The rest can be all stock with a better steering box. I'd probably upsize the swaybar, as well. Those 3 upgrades make a world of difference.
 
I understand what you’re saying. The main reason I bought my qa1 suspension was because I didn’t want to have to degrease and rebuild all the stock stuff, plus a little bit of a performance upgrade. It’s definitely cheaper to rebuild your existing parts though.

0B8FAB9A-A02A-4380-9B73-34BF298B06D1.jpeg
 
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