1972 C10 Front end rebuild

[wlt3355]

I want to do a complete front suspension re-build, replacing all parts, I have been quoted around 2K for parts and labor...does this sound about right?

[HO455]

Seems high to me but I have always done the work myself. When you say all parts, what parts exactly are you planning to replace?

[B Myers]

For moog parts and monroe shocks I spent $457 for everything, ball joints, tie rod ends and sleeves, control arm shaft kits, idler and pitman arms. In a shop the parts may double and I'd say the labor would be in the 8 hour range so that would be $720 labor and $914 parts for $1634 plus $60 for an alignment to $1694. The labor could rise due to dealing with old rusty parts and how much cleaning gets done. Your quote may be a little high but it is a pretty good piece of work that needs to be done right with good parts so whoever does it make sure you know the brand of parts they use.

[wlt3355]

Thanks guys, just trying to get some perspective, I wanted everything from the upper and lower control arms replaced, this was just one project I did not want to tackle

[chevy72blu]

I had a suspension shop do mine, also. Those ball joints are a bear.

Iirc i paid about $500 for all new MOOG parts from rock auto, and about 700 in labor including a new steering box, front brake lines, and alignment. Make sure whoever you choose is ok with using your parts if you choose to.

Truck drives better than any old vehicle I've ever been in now. Even at 75+ mph steering is tight, good road feel, tracks straight. Aftermarket suspension is amazing, but there's something to be said for getting the originally engineered system back to "new"

[wlt3355]

What is a good resource to get a list of all components?

I was working with a chat line rep from Rock Auto on MOOG parts, but she was having to piece everything together.

My hope was I could get one kit that contained everything

[B Myers]

I used Rock Auto and it is piece by piece but their lookup is pretty good.

[wlt3355]

Ok, I will keep looking, just did not want to miss anything

[GASoline71]

I bought all Moog parts locally for my 1972 GMC C15 at the parts store I go to and installed them all myself. Inner and outer tie rod ends, ball joints, and cross shafts. I rented the ball joint press from them too. EZPZ... If you're replacing the cross shafts, go ahead and upgrade to the 9/16" U-bolts for them. I bought those from Summit Racing for around $8 bucks per side.

This isn't that hard of a job to be honest... If you're wanting to replace control arms just to avoid doing ball joints... the upper joints come out super easy after you grind off the rivet heads. The lowers are pressed in but you can rent the press from any auto parts store.

Gary

[wlt3355]

Thanks everyone for your guidance, I ordered all the parts (MOOG) from Summit for a better deal than anywhere else I found.

I am concerned about one part, passenger side lower arm had some reviews that the shock bolt did not have enough room, hope they have fixed that issue, but has anyone heard of this?

I have a local mechanic who has always been very good, and he says he will do the rebuild for 400-500, which if he can, is better than me trying to do it.

[arocars]

When I was 18 or so, I bought a front end rebuild kit from Kantor. It included everything. I installed it in the driveway. It might have taken a Saturday or a weekend. I forget. It went together well and gave me years of problem free driving.
When I was 26 or so, I did the same thing with a different car using Kantor products. I was a little bit less impressed with the quality of the parts.
Now, we have the internet, and after researching, I would buy Moog or TRW parts only. I would not be concerned with trying to get an all-in-one kit. I would pick and choose the individual components. There are plenty of lists out there of what parts you need. And if you're going to do the job, replace virtually everything. Rock Auto has good prices. So does Summit Racing.
If you have a mechanic that will do the entire job for $500 or less. That's a good deal.