I am an overkill nut, plain and simple. I need to redo my front end and am trying to figure out the best route. I did some searches on here as well as the web, but didn't find what I was looking for. Here is the lowdown. The factory lower a arms(front) will be replaced with some Spohn units and will have a set of Eibach Pro Kit springs in the perches. I will also get new upper strut plates/bearings. Haven't figured out the struts yet, either Bilstein or Koni. So, since I'm replacing the a arms, I don't need ball joints or a arm bushings. I will need the idler arm, center link, pitman arm, inner/outer tie rods/tie rod ends/tie rod sleeves. I think it would be cool if someone made some black powdercoated tubular steering pieces. Can anyone point me in the right direction, or am I stuck having to use the NAPA/MOOG brand aftermarket stuff? Thanks in advance, Paul Moore

 

I used moog center link, idler and tie rods and hotchkis sleeves. Im not sure who would make a "bullet proof style" without your own fabbing (rod ends on tubular).

The moog stuff i got was much, much "beefier" than the stock stuff.

 

http://www.spohn.net/category.cfm?categoryid=1071

Kat

 

I used the vette brakes kit. Made in USA and a great place to deal with!

 

Ooops, I forgot, I use my 3rd gen mostly for auto-x

 

I've posted this list before....

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=197895

Moog (spohn kit) is the lower of the two lines, at your local napa. Just for comparison (since it is free) go ask to see the NPC Idler arm, then ask to see the MRC Idler arm. Tell me which one you would rather have. Do the same with the ball joints. Then do the math, and ask yourself why you would bother buying a 'kit' online.

 

I thought a cost comparison of using the two product lines fit in with this thread. I'm not listing swaybar bushings or endlinks. First, the NPC line.

NAPA Shopping List

Item #
Product Name
Quantity
Price
Total


NCP2601130NAPA Chassis Parts Ball Joint - Lower - Front Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 26.99
$ 53.98

NCP2721601NAPA Chassis Parts Center Link
Usually ships in 24 hours. 1$ 79.99
$ 79.99

NCP2673349NAPA Chassis Parts Control Arm Bushing - Lower -
Front Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 10.69
$ 21.38

NCP2673399NAPA Chassis Parts Control Arm Bushing - Lower -
Front Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 10.99
$ 21.98

NCP2683635NAPA Chassis Parts Idler Arm Assy
Usually ships in 24 hours. 1$ 68.49
$ 68.49

NCP2691126NAPA Chassis Parts Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve - Front
Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 11.49
$ 22.98

NCP2692612NAPA Chassis Parts Tie Rod End - Inner
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 55.49
$ 110.98

NCP2692613NAPA Chassis Parts Tie Rod End - Outer
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 41.49
$ 82.98



Shipping, handling, and taxes are not included.
Subtotal: $ 462.76

Please note: Prices may vary at your local NAPA store.

 

Great post! It helps to have parts numbers on hand!

 

Here's the breakdown for the MRC series. Control arm bushings are the same as before.

NAPA Shopping List

Item #
Product Name
Quantity
Price
Total


MRC10277Master Ride Chassis Ball Joint - Lower - Front Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 12.49
$ 24.98

MRCDS1049Master Ride Chassis Center Link
Usually ships in 24 hours. 1$ 46.49
$ 46.49

NCP2673349NAPA Chassis Parts Control Arm Bushing - Lower -
Front Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 10.69
$ 21.38

NCP2673399NAPA Chassis Parts Control Arm Bushing - Lower -
Front Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 10.99
$ 21.98

MRC18832Master Ride Chassis Idler Arm Assy
Usually ships in 24 hours. 1$ 33.49
$ 33.49

MRCES2032SMaster Ride Chassis Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve - Front
Susp
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 6.49
$ 12.98

MRCES2227LMaster Ride Chassis Tie Rod End - Inner
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 19.49
$ 38.98

MRCES2226RMaster Ride Chassis Tie Rod End - Outer
Usually ships in 24 hours. 2$ 18.99
$ 37.98



Shipping, handling, and taxes are not included.
Subtotal: $ 238.26

Please note: Prices may vary at your local NAPA store.

 

Let's see that a $230 difference. I've got to do what Dewey316 says and physical see the difference between the NPC and MRC lines.

Before I read his post, I would have blindly bought Spohn's front-end kit. For $368 it's not that great of a deal. How much more beefy are the Spohn's tie rod adjuster sleeves compared to the NAPA NPC's?

Thanks redimpss5, I tend to make lots of lists when I'm planning. I just wish it was easier to post them in a shorter form.

By the way, are pitman arms strictly an OE piece?

 

Spohns are not beefier at all

spohns stuff is MOOG, he says so on his site.

The MRC line is also moog, the napa part #'s even match moogs. The NPC stuff is even nicer than that.

 

I Just re-read the post.

I have no closely looked at the NPC tie rod adjusters. I ordered solid adjusters from coleman racing.

 

Dewey316,
Spohn includes these tie rod adjuster sleeves in their front end kit, not MOOG. They are made of 15/16" x .156" heavy wall hex tubing. Here's the link, Spohn Extreme Duty Tie Rod Adjusters . At almost $50 a pair they seem a little pricey.



What's the part number from the ones you purchased from Coleman? Cost?

 

Aluminum - RP-127-4 or RP-127-5 (ether 4" or 5") ($7.50/each)

Steel - RP-129-4 or RP-129-5 (4" or 5") ($8.65/each)

I used 4" for mine, I wish the made them in 4.5, that would really fit nicely on my car.

Then you need the matching Jam Nuts.

Aluminum Jam Nuts (Right) - 941-100-R ($2.10/each)
Aluminum Jam Nuts (Left) - 941-100-L ($2.25/each)

Steel Jam Nuts (Right) - 941-R ($.60/each)
Steel Jam Nuts (Left) - 941-L ($.85/each)

You will need 2 of each jam nut, and two tie rod sleves.

And here is a pictures.

 

hey buddy i work for napa, and i can vouch that i see a lot of the mrc (economy) line come back in,i bought tie rods to fix a a car that slapped the curb, and got one it home and it was wrong, took it back to work, got another box (same p/n) and it was right. The quality control on the economy line sucks. Also just the other day a guy came in with an outer tie rod that snapped off right at the spindle. Also warranty is like 1 year on those, and lifetime on most of the ncp line. just my thoughts bein i see this crap all day long.

josh

 

How about http://www.p-s-t.com. Their front end kits are only $169.00.

 

Is there really a noticeable difference from a before and after standpoint with these front end rebuild kits? I figure unless there's nothing wrong with the front end i have on my camaro now, i wouldn't need to invest in one. but if there were a difference I might take it up.

 

I want to say I've seen an entire K-member for sale in Summit or Jegs. Not too bad, like $800 or something.

 

Gunny: I have thought about that too. It would be a lot easier that way. Just get the tubular K member, bolt all of my brake and suspension components to it, and slap the whole thing back in. I just wish that I would have done it BEFORE I dropped the engine in!!!

 

You slapped a curb, what do you suspect was going to happen. Most tie rods won't hold up well to good curb hit. you also, cannot account for parts that have been mis-installed or abused.

I was making a point NAPA MRC = MOOG. People are saying moog is the say to go, I found a way to source them localy for a descent price. For the record, my car has many NPC stuff on it, as when you compare them side by side, the NPC lines blows the moog stuff away.

But why spend over $350 for moog parts, when you can get them localy at napa for $170.

 

Jeez man i wasn't tryin to argue with, you act like im a moron, damn. Anyway i agree the ncp is good, and the tie rod didn't break on the impact at least on my curb experence (don't know about the other guy i was reffering too he didn't speak english, i just saw the part) I was just replacing it because i was down there and wanted to make sure that anything that i coulda hurt was taken care of(did struts, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods, adjusting sleeves, all that) Keep sending em to NAPA though, i like helpin people that aren't arogant asshats getting pissed because we don't have some oddball part for their 86 mercedes, much rather show/explain to somebody why they should buy the good stuff.

Josh

 

www.vbandp.com

 

How good are the tie rods and stuff on this site

 

Who manufactures NPC?

 

I beleive it is Federal Mogul (who also produces Moog)

 

How about TRW

 

It could quite possibly be TRW, they are the other FM suspension line.

Although the NPC part numbers do not exact matches for TRW parts, like the MRC parts are exactly the same part number as the Moog parts.

 

all these part numbers for the moog parts, are they for all the 82-92 third gens because i have a 91 v6 and am looking into replacing that pos front suspension

 

I'm going to assume that you are referring to the MRC parts line list that I posted.

Yes, all the parts will work for your 1991 V6. The steering linkage and lower suspension pieces are the same.

If in doubt, visit www.napaonline.com and search using your vehicle. Hopefully their server will not be down when you do so.

 

x2 their site went down while i was checking the (current) prices on the steering linkage pieces.

I think the parts costed 25-50 cents more locally than stated on the site, but i didnt have to pay for shipping.

 

this is a great thread. Im glad i came across it before i go rebuild the front end of my car Lots of good info in here