Best Front-end Rebuild Kits

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

P

Psycho381

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Posts
4
Reaction score
2
Location
Seville, CA
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Silverado R10
Engine Size
350 TBI
I’m sure this has been brought up before, I’d just like to get pointed in the right direction. I took my ‘87 R10 to the local suspension shop for a quote and it was outrageous. By looks of it, everything is still stock and I’d like to overhaul it all myself. Going online opens up many options but some are super cheap and some kits are super expensive. I understand that we get what we pay for, I just want some durable parts. Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Ronno6

Ronno6

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Posts
438
Reaction score
126
Location
South Mississippi
First Name
Ron
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
I went with Moog for all the stuff for my '84 C10.
I had gone with parts from a popular Truck Parts catalog but found the
control arm bushings to be as much as .040" oversize on I.D, so I returned all their
stuff and ordered Moog.
Control arm bushings,
Tie rod ends and couplers,
Ball joints
Sway bar bushings

AC Delco control arm bumpers
Monroe shocks

Shop around and you can find some rather good deals from trusted online sources.

Ir is interesting to note that one pair of Moog lower control arm bushings was way out of tolerance,too.
You gotta check everything.............
 
8

82Diesel

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2018
Posts
576
Reaction score
166
Location
USA
First Name
.
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2L
I've been told if you want Quality front suspension parts go for MOOG While some of the AC Delco stuff is alright.
And ofc Monroe shocks or Bilstein.
 
P

Psycho381

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Posts
4
Reaction score
2
Location
Seville, CA
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Silverado R10
Engine Size
350 TBI
Ronno6 said:
I went with Moog for all the stuff for my '84 C10.
I had gone with parts from a popular Truck Parts catalog but found the
control arm bushings to be as much as .040" oversize on I.D, so I returned all their
stuff and ordered Moog.
Control arm bushings,
Tie rod ends and couplers,
Ball joints
Sway bar bushings

AC Delco control arm bumpers
Monroe shocks

Shop around and you can find some rather good deals from trusted online sources.

Ir is interesting to note that one pair of Moog lower control arm bushings was way out of tolerance,too.
You gotta check everything.............
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yeah took my wheel off, degreased and wire brushed everything. Still original rivets. They still passed the tire pull and then pry bar test but the rubber is falling apart on the bushings and ball joints. So I know I have some work ahead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
P

Psycho381

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Posts
4
Reaction score
2
Location
Seville, CA
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Silverado R10
Engine Size
350 TBI
82Diesel said:
I've been told if you want Quality front suspension parts go for MOOG While some of the AC Delco stuff is alright.
And ofc Monroe shocks or Bilstein.
Click to expand...
Monroe shocks 2/2 so far. Thanks bro.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ronno6

Ronno6

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Posts
438
Reaction score
126
Location
South Mississippi
First Name
Ron
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
Psycho381 said:
Thanks. Yeah took my wheel off, degreased and wire brushed everything. Still original rivets. They still passed the tire pull and then pry bar test but the rubber is falling apart on the bushings and ball joints. So I know I have some work ahead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

You will need to separate the ball joints/spindles in order to replace control arm bushings. That may result in damaging the grease boots on the ball joints.
Ball joints don't cost much, so..............

Just remember to torque the bushing nuts with vehicle's weight on the suspension.
 
S

SirRobyn0

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Posts
6,731
Reaction score
11,278
Location
In the woods in Western Washington
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
305
I don't really like ordering online for parts if I'm not 100% sure that they will correct, and sometimes with stuff like front end parts the shipping kills the good deal because of the weight. Moog has been around for forever and has a great reputation as does A/C Delco. For shocks I like Monroe or Gabriels. I think Bilstiens are often over priced for what you get, not that they are bad by any means, I just don't think they are any better that Monroe or Gabbies, and they often cost more.
 
P

Psycho381

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Posts
4
Reaction score
2
Location
Seville, CA
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Silverado R10
Engine Size
350 TBI
SirRobyn0 said:
I don't really like ordering online for parts if I'm not 100% sure that they will correct, and sometimes with stuff like front end parts the shipping kills the good deal because of the weight. Moog has been around for forever and has a great reputation as does A/C Delco. For shocks I like Monroe or Gabriels. I think Bilstiens are often over priced for what you get, not that they are bad by any means, I just don't think they are any better that Monroe or Gabbies, and they often cost more.
Click to expand...

I hear you with the online shipping and risk. I do live walking distance to an O’reillys and Autozone. I’m definitely going to with Monroe shocks. Do I just go off of the year of my truck or are there more things to consider when buying one than just a part number?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ronno6

Ronno6

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Posts
438
Reaction score
126
Location
South Mississippi
First Name
Ron
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
Psycho381 said:
I hear you with the online shipping and risk. I do live walking distance to an O’reillys and Autozone. I’m definitely going to with Monroe shocks. Do I just go off of the year of my truck or are there more things to consider when buying one than just a part number?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Shop wherever you are comfortable. I have used several and found then to be reputable.(I am not permitted to name names on this forum.) Look up your part numbers, MOOG or otherwise, and shop around. There are substantial savings to be had online. I have found them to readily accept returns for whatever reason.
However, these parts are not terribly expensive to begin with, so spend your coins as you choose!
 
S

SirRobyn0

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Posts
6,731
Reaction score
11,278
Location
In the woods in Western Washington
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
305
Psycho381 said:
I hear you with the online shipping and risk. I do live walking distance to an O’reillys and Autozone. I’m definitely going to with Monroe shocks. Do I just go off of the year of my truck or are there more things to consider when buying one than just a part number?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Pretty much just need the info from your truck, year, make, model, possibly axle weight rating.
 
I

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
6,522
Reaction score
14,001
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Ronno6 said:
Shop wherever you are comfortable. I have used several and found then to be reputable.(I am not permitted to name names on this forum.) Look up your part numbers, MOOG or otherwise, and shop around. There are substantial savings to be had online. I have found them to readily accept returns for whatever reason.
However, these parts are not terribly expensive to begin with, so spend your coins as you choose!
Click to expand...
Why can't you name names?
 
Ronno6

Ronno6

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Posts
438
Reaction score
126
Location
South Mississippi
First Name
Ron
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
idahovette said:
Why can't you name names?
Click to expand...


Now that I look back, it was another forum which censored my posts if they contained names of online suppliers.

For the record, the bushings I purchased from LMC were WAY oversized.....Sent bacl for full refund, including freight both ways.

I bought my MOOG parts from Amazon at great prices!
One set of control arm bushings was still oversize.
Amazon replaced then without charge.
Excellent customer service.
 
Last edited:
I

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
6,522
Reaction score
14,001
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Ronno6 said:
Now that I look back, it was another forum which censored my posts if they contained names of online suppliers.

For the record, the bushings I purchased from LMC were WAY oversized.....Sent bacl for full refund, including freight both ways.

I bought my MOOG parts from Amazon at great prices!
One set of control arm bushings was still oversize.
Amazon replaced then without charge.
Excellent customer service.
Click to expand...
That's some kind of BS if they won't let you name names. Freedom of speech and all that. Site run by democrats?
 
Ronno6

Ronno6

Full Access Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Posts
438
Reaction score
126
Location
South Mississippi
First Name
Ron
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
idahovette said:
That's some kind of BS if they won't let you name names. Freedom of speech and all that. Site run by democrats?
Click to expand...
Apparently they have their own store and don't want to have the competition named,
even if the others are being shown in a negative light.
Private forum; their rules.........
 
MikeB

MikeB

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Posts
1,748
Reaction score
935
Location
North Texas
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1969
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
In my experience, KYB Gas-A-Just shocks are MUCH better than basic Monroe or Gabriel, and will last longer -- around 12-15 years on my son's 69 C10.

The Excel G is KYB's OE-replacement shock, and they've been working on my own 82 C10 for 4-5 years. They're actually still a little stiff, which beats they heck out of bouncy-bouncy. Very inexpensive at Rock Auto, and they sometimes have a factory rebate.

As for replacing the control arm bushings, do some reading on the subject, because removing them is a real PITA and takes brute force without the GM tools. I used Energy Suspension poly bushings on my truck, and they were much easier to install than rubber bushings. But I probably spent 8-12 hours on the 4 arms, mostly on the removal process.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

LAsquarebody
Steering rebuild question
Replies
4
Views
1K
creich68
creich68
NickTransmissions
4L80E Information Thread
Replies
1
Views
296
dragstews
dragstews
NickTransmissions
4L60E Information Thread (Includes 4L65/70/75)
2
Replies
24
Views
1K
NickTransmissions
NickTransmissions
NickTransmissions
  • Sticky
TH400 Information Thread
3 4 5
Replies
67
Views
5K
dragstews
dragstews
NickTransmissions
  • Sticky
Turbo 350 (TH350) Information Thread
2
Replies
16
Views
4K
Old Blu
O

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,029
Posts
907,655
Members
33,521
Latest member
Laqota
Top