Rebuilding Front Suspension

[ByrdDog]

Trying to put together a list of parts to completely rebuild the front suspension of my C30. Was planning on new upper & lower control arms, springs, bearings, breaks, etc. I checked RockAuto, & there seems to be a standard and a HD suspension, each with different components. I'm assuming I have the HD, since I have a crew cab? How to verify for sure? Would also really like to upgrade the brakes, but haven't seen anything available for the HD suspensions other than stock replacements. Anyone know of an aftermarket kit to go to a dual-piston caliper?

 

[JChevy87R10]

There's a lot of front end rebuild kits. POL, Ecklers, etc. Just gotta look and see what fits your application and what you're all looking for.

I bought mine from POL. The lower control arms are going to cost considerably more and are harder to find in comparison to the uppers.

How to verify? Measure. Standard is the 1" rotors. The hd is 1.25" rotors.

 

[ByrdDog]

Also, my pickup uses the calipers that are secured with a block & spring clip, not slide pins.

 

[fast 99]

Agree with previous, may need to measure rod diameters, BJ OD, compare appearance. Rock auto has good descriptions and usually measurements so correct parts can be narrowed down. Lower control arms should have a greaseable shaft not pressed in bushings. Other parts can be narrowed down that way as well.

 

[Trucksareforwork]

Maybe an unpopular opinion but a lot of the front end rebuild kits promoted on the web are cheap chinesium. I would be careful since a bad component might not be obvious until a few miles down the road and redo’s are costly.

 

[fast 99]

Maybe an unpopular opinion but a lot of the front end rebuild kits promoted on the web are cheap chinesium. I would be careful since a bad component might not be obvious until a few miles down the road and redo’s are costly.

Quality is night and day. Last couple front ends I rebuilt, used all Moog. Parts are almost double offshore but worth it. Did save quite a bit using Rock Auto.

Offshore suspensions parts generally are so bad I greased the part before installing. Sometimes the fitting wouldn't thread in, others wouldn't take any grease. Really aggravating wasting time replacing the defective part.

 

[ByrdDog]

I found the Moog upper control arm assemblies on RockAuto, but had to go to Amazon to find the lowers. Is there any reason to doubt the authenticity of the Amazon parts? I know Moog quality has gone down in the past couple of years; any other manufacturer I should be looking at for good quality parts?

 

[Soundmound]

I found the Moog upper control arm assemblies on RockAuto, but had to go to Amazon to find the lowers. Is there any reason to doubt the authenticity of the Amazon parts? I know Moog quality has gone down in the past couple of years; any other manufacturer I should be looking at for good quality parts?

LMC owns the rights to the lowers for now. I'd be VERY wary of anyone selling "new" units on any site but LMC.

 

[ByrdDog]

Was able to find all Moog parts on RockAuto. Got everything torn out & new control arms installed. Will be fitting new springs & re-installing the spindles next. Fortunately, the bearings looked to still be in good shape (replacing them anyway, since I'd already ordered the parts), so no problems with reusing the spindles.

 

[consti2tion]

LMC owns the rights to the lowers for now. I'd be VERY wary of anyone selling "new" units on any site but LMC.

They own the rights to the lowers for C10's, but the C20 and C30 LCA's are abundantly made by multiple sources.

@ByrdDog how does the quality of the control arms seem? You know how reviews go so it would be nice to get a first hand enthusiast's opinion on them. Putting together the parts to rebuild the front on of my C20 burb. Can't decide on control arms or replacing balljoints myself.

 

[Ken B]

Just doing research and resurrecting this thread. I want to replace front suspension and definitely want to avoid saving money ( dont want the cheap sh*t)
c10 front suspension whose parts have you or would you use?

 

[ChuckN]

LMC owns the rights to the lowers for now. I'd be VERY wary of anyone selling "new" units on any site but LMC.

You’re onto something there, but that’s just for the C10 flavor. RockAuto has lower control arms for both HD and non-HD in stock. I only know because I eternally have a tab open for RockAuto and I just took a gander. I’m a nerd.

Edit- sorry, I didn’t realize this is an old thread. Disregard @Soundmound, much apologies.

@Ken B Moog is always a solid choice.

Lower C10 control arms are challenging- either re-bushing the lowers (PITA), pay the penalty at LMC, or go aftermarket Tubular, etc.

 

[Ken B]

I am just looking for stock replacement, 1981 c10 just figure they are worn out. Do it once and done....

 

[Ken B]

"pay the penalty at LMC?"

 

[Ken B]

why doesnt LMC have any type of description or specs on parts. grrrrr