I am starting the process of replacing brakes and suspension parts on the front end of my 70 Xr7 convert. Any suggestions on the essentials to tackle first?
outer tie rod ends
upper shaft kit with bushings
lower control arm with ball joint and bushings
sway bar end links
sway bar frame bushings
strut rod bushings
inner tie rod ends
adjusting sleeves
idler arm PS
lower cam bolts
The car has not been driven since 1999.
I had read that, if you are replacing items a good purchase is a 1” seat bar for better control. Is that accurate?
I want to keep everything as original as possible, would you suggest replacing upper and lower control arms or just replacing the ball joints?
Any help is appreciated, this is my first project like this.
Currently there are no upper or lower control arms that resemble the originals. I rebuild both using a contractor. It’s fairly pricey. Tie Rods very rarely wear out but the rubber boots typically are shot on originals. Fortunately NPD carries reproductions. The idler arms are a problem but correct reproductions are available on eBay.
NPD has (had) MOOG lower control arms for about $80 each. Moog 3 bolt ball joints are also avail. As Royce stated it is best to rebuild your upper arms. Moog tie rod end are also avail. I strongly suggest using them if you not going get Cat judged & really just want to drive safely.
Unless you wanting to do a concourse restoration, I highly recommend that you purchase a front end rebuild kit which contains new upper and lower control arms. upper control arms with shafts already installed, outer and inner tie rods, idler arm and spring perches. You will have to purchase a separate sway bar kit which contains a sway bar of your preference, end links and bushings.
Things that you may also want to consider when rebuilding your front end:
Arning drop
Upper control arm grease fitting kit
Adjusting cam eliminator kit
Front Springs
Shocks
If replacing with front Disc brakes, rims that will clear the calipers
Tires
Remember, butt in seat time will give you the most enjoyment!!
I have Moog lower control arms with roller bearing conversions for $250 set or TRW brand for $260 set shipped
I also have new roller spring perches now available for $180 shipped ,my branding
yes. We take new Moog lower arms, remove the pressed in bushing, weld in a tube for a spherical bearing.
The spring perches are new with a weld in tube that holds bearing for the shaft. The bearings are retained by clips.
The bearings make the suspension super smooth.
I use both of these parts with tubular upper control arms with the Shelby drop built in. I preferred not to drill because the rarity of my 67 GT 4spd
The LCA’s are available at WCCC and the spring perches will be available there soon also.
I sell the parts to forum members at a discount.
Currently Therese parts are not on the Catheadlights website
Just to be clear, that’s not a WCCC discount , but purchasing directly from me.
MOOG and TRW are quality. Moog is a popular suspension manufacturer for replacement parts. I do have TRW also which are great too.
Most importantly!!! Mustang parts do not always fit Cougars. Ask on the forum first or buy only from Cougar only parts places.
Just a warning so you don’t end up with a shelf full of useless parts…ask any Cougar owner.
Moog is a top quality brand that used to make a higher quality product sold in blue & yellow boxes. When cheap chinese products flooded the market MOOG tried to compete by selling cheap items to compete.
These are now all that is avail. They can be easily identified by the part#s. The original quality are/were the “K” series. Now they have a “R” in front of the original #S. By looking at a lower control arm the difference is easily seen.
Original Moog arm have a body with straight linear sides where the cheap one look like the Ford originals. FYI, the ball joint is so cheap you can easily move the stud with your fingers, originals were almost impossible to move by hand. Ill get some pics to show. Sadly now this junk is all that is avail… You can still get a few MOOG blue box items at Rock Auto like tie rod ends…, Of note, QuickSteer seems to be a Moog side line… Strut rod kit used to be like $30+ now $8+
Where would you recommend going to avoid the cheaper products regarding front in suspension? Where can you get the better quality lowers byt MOOG or TRW, if possible?