Complete Front End Rebuild

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heyitruns

heyitruns

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Hey FABO, I need some help and advice. The Dart is getting scary to drive on the freeway, steering is beyond sloppy, tires have more camber then i can explain and I'm going through front bearings and hubs faster then my wallet can support. I put this off for too long:angry7:, but it looks like its time for a complete front end rebuild, the original parts can't take it anymore.

Asked a few car guys I know (not Mopar guys) and they all say I should only be paying between $100-$200 for a kit. Now, I understand that 67's have a few quirks up front that make suspension parts a bit harder/more expensive to get. And on top of that anything for a Mopar always seems to cost a bit more then the same for a GM or Ford. But even then the cheapest kit I've found so far is this PST kit.

http://www.p-s-t.com/pc-3765-159-dodge-dart-1962-76.aspx

I'm good at drive train work but I don't know jack about suspension work (part of the reason I kept putting this off) and don't know if that's a good deal or a rip off. If you guys know of any good complete kits for less, let me know.

I'm also looking for a good sway bar kit and front disc kit. Found a couple front disc kits that bolt to my drum spindle, those any good or do i need a complete hardware swap out front?

I figure if I keep updating the dart with modern tech, I'll never need to buy a new car. Either way, I'm never selling her, so I might as well get her running right.
 
My only suggestion is to attempt and apples to apples comparison between the suppliers of kits out there. Some kits contain specific parts that others do not (i.e. inner/outer tie rods, idler and/or pitman arms, etc.). Try to find a kit that utilizes all American made components (i.e. Moof, TRW, etc.). They are the best. I used to only buy from PSC (Performance Suspension Components) in AZ because their kits guaranteed all American made parts. Other companies would not guarantee that as the each part was picked out of large bins to make the kits up (and some of them were domestic and some of them were foreign-made).
 
You can get a complete front end kit with rubber bushings from ESPO, which has a very good reputation, for $175-$265. Poly is a little more.
 
Thanks Duster, that's definitely a lt cheaper then the PST kit, and its only missing a few components I could probably pick up for not too much. Only question I have now is, what, if any, difference is there between the regular poly bushings and the poly/graphite ones? Is it just a marketing thing PST does to make everyone think their bushings are God or is there actually a big difference?

Also, does anyone have any input on the break kits? Are the ones that bolt onto my original spindle any good? It would save me a lot of money and work to do it that way, but if its a crap kit I wont cut corners on performance.
 
Hey I got that PST kit like 2 days ago, working on pressing my bushings in, they're kinda a *****, only problem I had found so far with 'em is that the upper control arm bumper isn't the same as the origional
 
I don't know if this will help, but below is my "analysis" of some Poly Graphite suspension kits. I am getting ready to order a kit for my 67 Barracuda (has a 74 Scamp front suspension) in the morning so I have spent a little time this afternoon looking over things.

In comparing the components included in the PSC kit ($290) and the PST kit ($269), it does look like you get more parts with the PSC kit.

For the extra $21, the PSC kit includes an idler arm and inner tie rod ends, these parts cost an extra $60 from Rock Auto using Raybestos professional grade parts.

PST does offer the SUPER kit which includes the regular kit plus: Inner Tie Rod Ends, Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves, Idler Arm, and 4 Upper Cam and Bolt Kits. The price of the SUPER kit is $439 for non 67 A bodies and $459 for 67's.

So based on this, it looks on paper as if the PSC kit is the better value. Please note, I have no prior experience putting kits in or dealing with either of these companies. I will be ordering the PSC kit in the morning and I'll be sure to report back once it is in and the car is running again.

**Please note, the prices that I'm using above are based on the 74 Scamp application.
 
heyitruns said:
Is it just a marketing thing PST does to make everyone think their bushings?
Click to expand...

Our bushings are graphite-impregnated polyurethane - this is done to minimize the occurrence of squeaks. It really does make a big difference.

PST offers FREE SHIPPING to the 48 US States on every item that we sell. These are very heavy parts and the shipping can really add up when you order from our competitors. Also, keep in mind that each of our products is backed by a best-in-the-business Lifetime Limited Warranty - something that most companies do not offer.

Finally, we are running a 10% off front end kit sale for FOBA members through the end of August - that's a $43 savings off the Polygraphite(R) Super Front End Kit!

I think if you add up all these savings and benefits, you will find that the PST kit is the best choice on the market. We source the finest components and back them with a lifetime warranty and great customer service. PST has been in the business since 1984 and we are here to stay!
 
Just wanted to followup on my "analysis" post about the front suspension.

I ordered my kit from PSC last week and it was at my door in Iowa from AZ in a few days. A couple of the parts were dropped shipped from Federal Mogul in Tennessee as well.

I got everything I asked for, they were put on the car this week and I'll pick it up this weekend. Unfortunately it won't be on the road for awhile so I can't give my road test review.

Also, not all of the parts are "Made in the USA" as mentioned above. Alot of the parts boxes were stamped "Made in China" or "Made in Taiwan". I believe most of the parts were federal mogul, the Poly Graphite parts were from Energy Suspension.
 
Espo is great to deal with. PST has decent parts at a decent value. Yes, polygraphite is better. No, not all PST parts are us made but neither are others
even from american companies. Support after the sale is important also. Keep
that in mind.
 
I went with PST because when you go on posts like these there are none that bash them, or rant about their horror story. I do plumbing, and get loads of work fixing cheap stuff. Never heard of having to work on an a-bodies pst suspension like an old harley.
Also, cheap metal is... really cheap.
 
I put on PST's super kit 2 years ago, and I must say that I have NOT experienced any problems what so ever!! After I installed all the components, I left all the components a little loose, and drove it up to the shop (a few blocks away), to have them tighten it all up and align it. Very satisfied customer here!!
 
I'm getting ready to order two or three master kits and would rather have the factory rubber bushings, any suggestions?
 
Looks like I'm going to start pricing out the stuff by piece from Rockauto, no one seems to sell a master kit with Moog pieces.
 
Rock auto is looking good- For two kits with Moog parts with one idler arm comes out to $404 shipped
 
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