Front suspension rebuild

I want to replace all the front suspension on my 70 Maverick. I have manual steering and Granada disks. I want to keep everything stock. Car will be driven as much as possible.

What kits if any do you guys recommend or would it be better piecing one together?

 

Piecing is often cheaper but more time consuming/frustrating

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PST-Polygr...num-sleeves-/202137166172?hash=item2f1050615c
PST polygraphite super kit is what I used on mine way back in 2002 I think... still holding well even with a lot of sitting. Squeaks stopped, better handling and haven’t dry rotted. My kit came with red poly bushings tho hmmm...

 

What are the aluminum sleeves for?

Found this. Anyone order this before?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/162745962107

Or this
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/191294253747

 

Those aluminum sleeves are the tie rod adjusting sleeve, much better than OEM, easier to adjust and will keep the threads clean. Also, are you just looking for OEM replacement type replacements or something a little better performance oriented?? (like better handling etc.....). Like everything else, you get what you pay for..........
David

 

as mentioned above...
you need a plan as to what you need. this can snowball out of control quick. there is always better but for what you are using the car for may be overkill.
stock parts lasted for years...

 

I'm just looking for stock parts. I just want my car to be as reliable as possible.

If I can find some parts better than stock and within a few $$$ then I'll get those instead. I don't need super crazy suspension upgrades. Don't plan on entering 24hr Lemans anytime soon

 

Unfortunately, it is a crap shoot as most everything is made overseas, in the past Moog was the best replacements, but even now, some of their parts are made overseas. Their "Problem Solver" line of tie rods etc., are still made in the USA and are very good replacements. I guess it all boils down to who offers the best warranties and after sales service if something does go wrong. Places like Auto Krafters and Melvin's carry a huge selection of Mav/Comet replacement parts and back what they sell, along with Scott Drake.
David

 

When I did my front end, I installed Granada disc brakes and it seemed like the mav/comet tie rod ends pulled through the spindle until the nut ran out of threads. I assumed they were too small and bought Granada tie rod ends instead. I also had to get an adapter fitting for the end of the steel brake line to connect the disc brake hose. Also had to put a 180* bend in the metal line to make it change directions. I think those brakes work well though.

 

As others stated apparently Moog farms out much of their components...

I bought a kit from Laurel Mountain Mustang(now out of business), that included Moog upper & lower control arms, had to shim the lower ball joints as castle nut was below the opening for cotter key... The strut rod bushings were rock hard polyurethane, no compliance whatsoever, I wound up trashing those and spring perches that rattled from day one... I installed Moog OEM replacement strut rod bushings that have proved satisfactory, without some movement it's possible to snap the strut rods... For the spring perches I reinstalled a OEM Ford unit(one of mine had been replaced) and got another from a friend... The Moog idler arm for the '77 center link(different than '72) has proved very good...

My Cobra Jet uses same parts so I bought Dorman lower control arms... Even though they don't have provisions for grease fittings , I like those better than the Moog pieces... Still has its original uppers... I used the Moog strut rod bushings(again same as Comet) and idler arm...

 

there are a couple of ways to approach the front end rebuild you can start by going to an alignment shop even if everything is dry and cracked as long as its there have it checked and if the alignment is okay then I would just replace all of the bushings and ball joints which can be VERY cheap then take it back for alignment. BUT youll need to do alot of labor. and youll need a few tools that arent usually in your tool box like a spring compressor and a press for pressing out the control arm bushings and for pressing them back in. the bushings can be bought at your local autozone for very little money. I wouldnt change tie rod ends unless theyre sloppy or bent. those were designed to last a lifetime and then some. unless they got hit or saw some back roads driving they should be good

OR you can buy a kit it all depends on how much work vs how much money you want to put in. I dont like to buy anything parts wise new from online because you have to wait for shipping then you have to hope its the right part when it comes in. if you do buy from online I would buy from someone like autokrafters or melvins I believe they know there stuff and make sure everything is right before sending you anything.
I have had a very good experience with melvins in the past they seem to be more customer oriented rather than a how can I take your order and if you find it cheaper dont be afraid to ask them to match the price I found a few parts $30-$40 cheaper and they matched the price for me

 

Whose lifetime?? All the ones I've seen that were supposedly sealed have disintegrating boots(ones on my 65K mi '72 were in tatters)... I reused the factory greasable inners on my '77 Maverick center link, outers were changed to fit '69 torino disc brake spindles...

 

I am rebuilding most of the front end on a '74 drum-drum car. I am installing '76 Maverick spindles / NP disc brakes. thankfully the basic parts are still listed at most auto box stores. A natl' chain store in N.E. (initials - A A) did have application for rebuilt '76 Mav' Calipers, Rotors, MC, also pads and hoses. The chain store E-site actually sourced from multiple vendors who drop-shipped. E-bay is good to compare prices and I sourced Strut bushings, UCA's And LCA's w/BJ's from E-Bay for very reasonable prices (lowest price+shipping). New sway bar bushings and spring isolators for rubber renew. I am cleaning up , painting and re-using most other parts, tie rod ends are tight .

Only a few sources still building / rebuilding Maverick era parts probably thanks due to Mustang parity, seems all vendors have same sources anyway.

have fun

 

That's correct...

Except for center links/idler arms, most front end parts for Mav/Comet are interchangeable with '66-'71 Fairlane, Torino, Falcon, Cyclone, Ranchero etc... Also '67-'73 Stang/Cougar as well as Granada/Monarch...

BTW the Granada/Monarch uses same idler arm as '75-'77 Mav/Comet...

 

Allow me to stir the pot and set some folks to boiling. The original suspension for all Ford cars with this type of suspension blows big! If you are going to drive it "as much as possible", make it more enjoyable. Ford used rubber bushings because they were cheap and adequate. However they can also squeak and bind. At a minimum spend more and get roller spring perches. Folks that don't see the need for them have never used them.

 

I guess it depends on the climate you live in out here in california that stuff never wears out unless like I said it did a lot of back road driving or it got hit at some point in its life. we dont really have a problem with extreme weather like snow for long periods of time so things tend to last pretty much forever