Your Suspension Recomendations

[Macgyverman1123]

With the new incoming 'RonaBucks(tm) from the Fejrul Gubmint, I finally have time and cash to replace the suspension under my Cruiser. I know I need new struts and control arms, struts and springs in the back, and I just discovered the CV axle boots are torn and leaking grease. That being said, I'm just tie rods and bushings away from a whole new suspension under the car. I understand that this will be an expensive and extremely difficult job, and I'd love to get y'alls recommendations on good parts to use, and, (Perhaps more importantly), bad parts not to use.

[rcktpwrd]

I like the Moog Problem Solver suspension parts. The front end in the Cruiser isn't too bad to rebuild.

I would also replace the Watts linkage and bell crank in the rear. That really tightened up the suspension in mine.

[Macgyverman1123]

I'm planning on replacing the watts link and lateral arms, they're a bit loose. I know I need new rear shocks and bushings, so I'm gonna throw two new springs at it and just be completely done with it. From what I understand, with the shocks off, the rear coil springs just come right out?

[rcktpwrd]

Originally Posted by Macgyverman1123

I'm planning on replacing the watts link and lateral arms, they're a bit loose. I know I need new rear shocks and bushings, so I'm gonna throw two new springs at it and just be completely done with it. From what I understand, with the shocks off, the rear coil springs just come right out?

Pretty much, once the shocks are disconnected you can move the axle around enough that the springs come right out. The springs are almost fully extended so no chance of one shooting across the yard!


Let me know when you are going to do the work and I might be able to help you out...

[turbo1013]

hands down moog problem solver,. expensive compared to junk, but there is actual some revisions that make it last longer and better made..

items to look out for ,
i rebuilt mine 4 times over 18 years,

strut tops bearings DO NOT let them fall out, when you use spring comprossors, you unload the strut top and run the risk of them falling out, i put 2 peices of blue tape on them just in case..

have 2 extra strut tops with bearing just in case, usally cheaper then buying the berings alone btw like 20-30 bucks

have 4 axel seals, grease the axels front and back, do not nick the axel seals they leak insanely easy, like 4 for 12 bucks,

when installing the strut dont nick the axel boot,

order 4 cam adjustable strut bolts to make aligngmet super easy, like 15 bucks,

i recently came up with a great way to install the struts, as most spring compressors wont fit up in the pocket, i have 4 diffrent sets, all suck,
when the strut is out use your spring compressors to compress the strut, , use 2 ratch straps in the 1000 and above range one running inbetween the top 3 bolts and runing down each side of the strut (clamp)and down the bottom, leave ratch by where the brake caliper would go about, tighten it down so the spring compressors just lhave a spec of tension off them,
run your second ratchet strap agin threw the top betwen the top 3 bolts, but diffrent angel, run strap threw the front and back of the clamp and leave ratchet about 6 inches from srpring bottom mount, crank tight,
through a few hose clamps left and right of the center strap joining 2 rows of spring togherthe, like 6 -8 tighten them to snug with the heads aiming down so you can easily remove them when installed.., back off carefully the spring compressors adjust as needed, put compressed strut up in the pocket and get 3 nuts on loose, run 2 drift pins in the strut to knucle , loosen up the center srtap, use compressors if needed on the lower parts of the spring, pop bolts in knuckel,, remove center strap, and pull out from the top, stick a pry bar in the top tight but you can still get it out if needed,,, loosen side strap, then using the pry bay slip the strap out, remove bar, tighten top bolts,