Front Suspension - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

83C · 06-12-2003, 11:18 PM

Yesterday I finally got my engine pulled and I am going to start rebuilding the front suspension before I put my rebuilt 350 in it. I was wondering if anyone has ever done this and what kit they used?

bigblock73 · 06-12-2003, 11:29 PM

I have and used a polygraphite PST kit...absolutely love it!

...Jeff

PHOENIX · 06-13-2003, 12:54 AM

Have you drove it since you put that on Jeff?

bigblock73 · 06-13-2003, 06:51 AM

Yes Eddie, I put it in about a year before I tore the truck apart. I loved it, it went arrow straight, handled the bumps great, gave me excellent steering response, and actually cornered great despite no sway bars whatsoever.

...Jeff

rockman20 · 06-13-2003, 09:58 AM

I put the PST polygraphite bushings in my 69 Cutlass. I love it. A lot of people claim they squeak so bad but the only squeak I have is my bushings on my sway bar and that is just because the one bracket isn't aligned properly so it binds slightly. A few washers and I will get that fixed.

Just be careful with the springs. What I did on the disassemble was I removed the shock and then I stuck a piece of reabar in there. Then I removed the lower balljoint. This will keep the spring from taking off around the garage if it were to ever let loose. It just gets leary putting em back in.

Rent the tool to install the springs. I rented mine through Checker Auto.

And to help in the assembly, put the bushings in the freezer over night. It will shrink them slightly and make them just a bit easier to press into the a-arms.

And be sure not to torque anything until it is sitting on the ground. I think this is where most people get the squeaks from. I got mine up on the ramps, jumped on the bumber a few times to get the car to jounce some (with engine in!!!!) and then I crawled under it and torqued everything down.

3 years now with no problems, squeaks, nothing. And it has helped the handling. Ride is slightly rougher now, but nothing nearly as bad as my little Civic I have.

PHOENIX · 06-13-2003, 10:49 AM

Jeff, how much would it cost to get a kit to do the entire front end of my 83 C10?

**swervin ervin** · 06-13-2003, 11:23 AM

Oh no, not this arguement again.

Well, here goes. I recommend the kit that Performance Suspension Components sells. Worked for me. It is Energy Suspension stuff.

http://www.performancesuspension.com/main.htm

Oh, and Eddie, the kit sells for $279.95, but they are in Phoenix, so you would have to pay tax, but they are shipped free.

bigblock73 · 06-13-2003, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PHOENIX
Jeff, how much would it cost to get a kit to do the entire front end of my 83 C10?

I want to say $239, but it didn't include outer tie rod ends (I think).

Mike, no argument needed...PST is better!

j/k

I am sure they are both equally as nice.

...Jeff

**old Rusty C10** · 06-13-2003, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rockman20
[Rent the tool to install the springs. I rented mine through Checker Auto.

And to help in the assembly, put the bushings in the freezer over night. It will shrink them slightly and make them just a bit easier to press into the a-arms.

And be sure not to torque anything until it is sitting on the ground. [/B]

that freezer trick works great witht he bushings, and yeah make sure ya rent the proper tools thats like 90% of the battle and i dunno about the torque thing but hey it may work out well that way good ideas rock!

SCOTI · 06-13-2003, 03:39 PM

As far as the springs popping out, wrap a simple piece of rope or chain around one of the winds on the coil & through the a-arm & it won't go anywhere. If you cut the coils or put dropped coils in, the coils should go back in w/o the need of a compressor (yet another good reason to drop it

).

Have fun & take some pics to share your glory in a job well done!

BaggedC10 · 06-13-2003, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigblock73
I want to say $239, but it didn't include outer tie rod ends (I think).

The PST kit retails for $219.00 (No shipping or tax) and includes outer tie rods. I have this kit for my C10 but haven't installed it yet.

TIMSPEED · 06-13-2003, 09:45 PM

I had the PST kit but on my truck, along with 3" DJM Drop Spindles. All I can say is that PST Front Kit is AWESOME! Without any swaybars AT ALL, I can take a 15mph corner at 35mph.

C&C Chevy · 06-13-2003, 10:16 PM

Quote:

I can take a 15mph corner at 35mph.

I can do that with worn rubber bushings too!

j/k

I really need one of those front end kits...

**swervin ervin** · 06-13-2003, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigblock73
but it didn't include outer tie rod ends (I think).

...Jeff

The PST kit doesn't include the two inner tie rod ends or the idler arm, unlike the PSC kit.

Once again, you decide which is the more complete kit for the money.

Peformance Suspension Components kit.

or

PST kit.

Now I'm through. Buy which ever kit you want. It's your truck and your money. It's entirely up to you.

Mike

CustomChevy · 06-14-2003, 10:59 AM

i am partial to Energy Suspension as well. good stuff, i also have used the tranny and engine mounts. great products.

06-12-2003, 11:18 PM	#1
83C Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Il Posts: 90	Front Suspension Yesterday I finally got my engine pulled and I am going to start rebuilding the front suspension before I put my rebuilt 350 in it. I was wondering if anyone has ever done this and what kit they used? __________________ 83 Chevy SWB http://www.cardomain.com/id/letheridge

06-13-2003, 12:54 AM	#3
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	Have you drove it since you put that on Jeff? __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

06-13-2003, 09:58 AM	#5
rockman20 "The dude abides" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Dakota Posts: 472	I put the PST polygraphite bushings in my 69 Cutlass. I love it. A lot of people claim they squeak so bad but the only squeak I have is my bushings on my sway bar and that is just because the one bracket isn't aligned properly so it binds slightly. A few washers and I will get that fixed. Just be careful with the springs. What I did on the disassemble was I removed the shock and then I stuck a piece of reabar in there. Then I removed the lower balljoint. This will keep the spring from taking off around the garage if it were to ever let loose. It just gets leary putting em back in. Rent the tool to install the springs. I rented mine through Checker Auto. And to help in the assembly, put the bushings in the freezer over night. It will shrink them slightly and make them just a bit easier to press into the a-arms. And be sure not to torque anything until it is sitting on the ground. I think this is where most people get the squeaks from. I got mine up on the ramps, jumped on the bumber a few times to get the car to jounce some (with engine in!!!!) and then I crawled under it and torqued everything down. 3 years now with no problems, squeaks, nothing. And it has helped the handling. Ride is slightly rougher now, but nothing nearly as bad as my little Civic I have. __________________ RockMan 1993 Chevy Silverado C3500 1 ton dually 1994 Honda Civic 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1953 IH Farmall Super M New to the fleet: 1992 Subaru Loyal

06-13-2003, 10:49 AM	#6
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	Jeff, how much would it cost to get a kit to do the entire front end of my 83 C10? __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

06-13-2003, 11:23 AM	#7
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Oh no, not this arguement again. Well, here goes. I recommend the kit that Performance Suspension Components sells. Worked for me. It is Energy Suspension stuff. http://www.performancesuspension.com/main.htm Oh, and Eddie, the kit sells for $279.95, but they are in Phoenix, so you would have to pay tax, but they are shipped free. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10 Last edited by swervin ervin; 06-13-2003 at 11:26 AM.

06-12-2003, 11:29 PM	#2
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	I have and used a polygraphite PST kit...absolutely love it! ...Jeff

06-13-2003, 06:51 AM	#4
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	Yes Eddie, I put it in about a year before I tore the truck apart. I loved it, it went arrow straight, handled the bumps great, gave me excellent steering response, and actually cornered great despite no sway bars whatsoever. ...Jeff

06-13-2003, 03:39 PM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,924	As far as the springs popping out, wrap a simple piece of rope or chain around one of the winds on the coil & through the a-arm & it won't go anywhere. If you cut the coils or put dropped coils in, the coils should go back in w/o the need of a compressor (yet another good reason to drop it ). Have fun & take some pics to share your glory in a job well done! __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

06-13-2003, 09:45 PM	#12
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	I had the PST kit but on my truck, along with 3" DJM Drop Spindles. All I can say is that PST Front Kit is AWESOME! Without any swaybars AT ALL, I can take a 15mph corner at 35mph. __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

06-14-2003, 10:59 AM	#15
CustomChevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 462	i am partial to Energy Suspension as well. good stuff, i also have used the tranny and engine mounts. great products.



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