front end kits

[57 Ford Kustom]

Guys,
   Where is the best place to look for a front end kit, while the engine is out now would be the time to do it. I know there are some quality issues with some manufacturers, so I would like to steer away from those places.
Thanks,
Tim

[57 Ford Kustom]

I don't think I'm going to the whole kit, I've been looking at concours and I can buy piecemeal. I can buy the bushings, do I need to replace the upper a arm Shaft, or can I just buy th bushings? Does anyone know where I can get a set of idler arm seals w/o power steering? Thanks for any input.
Tim

[lowrider]

I just replaced the bushings on the upper arms when I got to that point. Don't know about the idler arm parts but I've seen them on most of the suppliers sites.

[RICH MUISE]

Tim. When I did my front end,about 5 years ago, I ordered all the pieces piece-meal from Concourse. I made the mistake of ordering the upper control arm shafts from them. They are ridiculously priced at something like 160. EACH if I remember correctly. I could not find any reference dimensions to be able to check my old ones to see if they were actually worn. When I got the new ones, they were actually .001 smaller diameter than the old ones! I think if you buy a kit from Kanter you can add the upper shafts, if you really need them, for something like an additional 80....1/4 what the concourse shafts were. I'm just going from memory on the $'s , but I don't think I'm too far off.
The boots on my Concourse ball joints are already cracking, and my car hasn't hit the road yet!

[gasman826]

PST

[briney]

I got my parts from Kanter Auto Products... They fit perfect !!

Patrick   Dallas TX   

[RICH MUISE]

PST

LOL...I thought PST was a soft noise you made when your trying to get someone's attention. Type louder, I can't hear you.

[57 Ford Kustom]

Guys, thanks for all the help! I'll make my order tonight. Thanks again!
Tim

[57 Ford Kustom]

Guys tomorrow I plan on reassembling my front end. On the lower front bushing pin there was a washer between the bushing and the frame, does this need to go back in?
Tim

[hiball3985]

Tim, are you referring to the ones tac welded on or is it a loose one? I borrowed this picture from the gallery that shows the ones on the engine cross member and I believe they are also on the front cross member. The only loose washer would go on the bolt that goes into the pin.

[57 Ford Kustom]

Hiball,
   These two large washers were on the bushing side of the front pins. I didn't know if they were factory placed there, or if years ago someone installed them to make up the spacing difference in the A arm bushings. They have one flat side on the washer, maybe whoever installed them put in a inferior bushing and had a gap that they needed to make up? don't know for sure, but if no one else have a large flat washer with a flat side on there car that must have been the case.
Tim

[hiball3985]

I'm a little confused. I looked in the manual and it says to add shims to remove any fore-or-aft movement so maybe that is what someone did. I have never seen shims on any of the few factory ones I have done in the past.

[RICH MUISE]

Meant to look last night, and forgot..sorry Tim. I just looked mine has no washer, but does have heavy rectangular plates on either side of the frame that the pin goes thru. Too long ago to remember, but I believe they are spotwelded to the frame. They are pretty thick...1/4" or so.

[Frankenstein57]

Tim, I would try putting the a- arm in there with the pins and new bushings only, if there is movement with the control arm then add as needed. Mark

[57 Ford Kustom]

Thanks Guys I will do that!
Tim