Best front suspension parts

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69ranchero351c

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I just bought a 97 lsc with 90k on it and the front upper ball joints are toast. I'm just going to do everything at once so it's all new. Upper and lower control arms, strut rod bushings and tie rods.

What's the best parts you can get to rebuild it? I don't plan on getting rid of the cars any time soon so no cheap crap. I was looking at the stuff on scp and the moog professional grade on rock auto. What would you guys recommend?
 
TRW was the original supplier, however they have been bought and merged with Moog which is now under the Federal Mogul banner. You can get these parts thru Amazon at a better price usually. Tip: On the lowers you can speck the T Bird and save some money as parts are the same.
 
Moog uppers have been iffy for a while now (Mismatched, zerk/no zerk, quality issues).. I personally would go with AC delco pro grades. If on coils get them from a bird, they're cheaper. Moog lowers are still ok afaik.
 
I had a Moog LCA fail after 8 months, bust the balljoint open and it had no damn grease in it. Chewed itself out almost from the getgo. Surprisingly the cheapo Chinese Dorman crap has lasted longer than Moog so far.
 
I would use Arnott uppers the bushings rotate like OEM if you're still on air
 
Yes I'm still on air and plan to be for as long as I can. ok found the upper arms from arnott hey are a option. Now what about the lowers, are t-bird lca's the same or no? And strut rod bushings front and rear?
 
I did my 95 a few years ago using all MOOG parts. Still good. I did my 98 CE with all Raybestos parts. dbleb88 "bruce" did the labor for me, and said he liked the Raybestos, because the parts fit like they should. Don't know about lasting, it doesn't get driven much.
 
I think I have read every thread on here about the front suspension. Mine has a squeak and believe it is the LCA ball joints.

From what I've read:

Moog is no longer the best option, a lot here have had quality issues in recent years.
People's experience with ebay kits for around $100 dollars is that they do not last long.
Raybestos Professional Grade are good and grease-able but they do not make the LCA's now.
ACDelco Professional are grease-able
Arnott Air Suspension pivot like the original, but are sealed, not grease-able.

My questions are:
- Not sure why other manufacturers wouldn't design the same as OEM re: pivot and is the pivot worth having a sealed unit? Is it just the install that is easier as they do not have to be tightened at ride height?
- Has anyone used Proforged? (also available on Amazon)
- What about TRW? These are only mentioned as the stock originals. I found them available on line at partsgeek.

I think I would go with Raybestos but would like to use all the same parts (UCA & LCA, tie rod etc) from the same manufacturer. I've seen lots here say they have Raybestos or ACDelco for UCA's and bought Thunderbird LCA's as they are the same. Rock Auto was mentioned.

Be great to hear from those with Raybestos and ACDelco and their opinion now.
 
i believe TRW and MOOG and Raybestos are all Federal Mogul brand names now.
MOOG was good because it usually had TRW control arms in the box.
seems to not be the case anymore.

most people aren't having any issues with moog parts. that includes me.
Raybestos seems to be doing alright with many people.
i did see an isolated incident with Raybestos on facebook where the ring around the ball joint broke on the LCA.
but i suspect eventually there is bound to be a casting defect.
 
Hey Chris I think you are right.

Searching more, I found that Amazon sells both ACDelco and Raybestos and if you check the links not only is the product the same, they are the exact same pics for each UCA.
ACdelco link:
http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-45D10...r=8-11&keywords=lincoln+mark+viii+control+arm

Rabestos link:
http://www.amazon.com/Raybestos-502...s=lincoln+mark+viii+control+arm+Raybestos+502

ACDelco:
http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-45D10...r=8-28&keywords=lincoln+mark+viii+control+arm

Rabestos:
http://www.amazon.com/Raybestos-502...r=8-29&keywords=lincoln+mark+viii+control+arm

I wounder if maybe ACDelco should be added to the Federal Mogul brand, unless Amazon used the same picture for each brand.
 
I have seen more talk of inner and outer tie rod ends. I haven't seen a lot of talk about Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kits.
With everything being left or right designed, the stabilizer bar link kit is not, correct?

I figure with 118k miles I should replace these as well?

I checked mine today and noticed a bit of movement in the UCA's, but it seems pretty small. The Ford CD does not speak of clearances for the ball joint, just the hub. It doesn't say anything about if there is some movement within the ball joint, so I take it, none is acceptable? See below

Ball Joint—Upper, Inspection

1. Raise vehicle on hoist. Place jack under front suspension lower arm (3079). This will minimize the load on the upper ball joint.

2. Try to rock the wheel top-to-bottom; if any wobble is felt, look for movement between the upper ball joint and the front wheel spindle.

3. If the upper ball joint appears tight, check front wheel bearing end play. The maximum allowable end play is: 0.05 mm (0.002 inch). If the end play exceeds the specified limit, replace the front hub and bearing assembly.
 
I've been searching on how to check the inner tie rod and after looking the part up, seems some have a hole for a pin and others do not? This doesn't look like a part that would ware out?
 
ford nut said:
I would use Arnott uppers the bushings rotate like OEM if you're still on air
Click to expand...

Can you not use the Raybestos or ACDelco if you are on air? If these are premium quality wouldn't they be spec'd the same way?
 
Doing more research, it appears that Ford doesn't make all of the Strut rod bushings. I tried to order these today from my local Ford dealer and the last two are discontinued on this thread if you scroll down to the pics and part numbers.

Does one kit contain left and right bushings or just one side? I think you need 4 bushings for each side (2 for the frame and 2 for theLCA), correct?

Anyone have any suggestions? I know everyone here says not to use the blue ones.

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/fo...sue&highlight=Front+Suspension+Stabilizer+Bar
 
Hope someone can answer the above, I have ordered the other parts: Upper & Lower arms, stabilizer kits and believe my frame SRB's are good, but the bushings to the LCA's look like they need replacing and would like to do this all at once.

Questions are:
Where I can get Motorcraft SRB's and do I need one kit or two? I tired Amazon, Rock Auto, Partsgeek, Carid, Autozone and they do not carry Motorcraft.

How can I check the inner tie rods to see if they need to be replaced? I pushed on them and they didn't seem to have any up or down movement.

Thanks in advance!
 
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