Round or oval- front end rebuild kit?

Discussion in 'Chassis restoration' started by Atbb, Jan 12, 2021.

  1. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Hi together

    after 50 years of being on the road I think it`s time for a front end rebuild of my 1971 GS 455.
    As I`m over here in Europe, a complete kit makes sense to me, and I`d like to go with rubber, preferable from Moog.

    One often reads "round or oval" and then I`ve read that Buicks "only have round" bushings (compared to other A-bodies, I suppose).

    So, could you give me your opinion on OPGIs front end kit https://www.opgi.com/chassis-suspen...exc-pontiac-w-round-bushings-moog-535418.html

    and let me know if I`m on the right track with "round"

    Also, if you have better deals concerning the rebuild kit, I`d really love to hear about it

    All the best, thanks in advance

    Jens
     
  2. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    You'll have to straight to the source and look at your lower control arms. It'll be painfully obvious if they are round or oval.

    The front end kits are a waste of money. The link wont open for me, but i'll give the same advice on these kits as I always do-

    Replace only what is loose/worn.

    I don't doubt the bushings are shot and need replaced. BUT check the tie rods/balljoints. If they are not loose, leave them in service!! The original GM parts are 10x the quality in those kits. Besides you literally gain nothing replacing parts that are not bad. And just because they are old doesn't mean they are bad and need replaced.
     
  3. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Hi,

    ok, I`ll take a dive and check them out, thought it really might be that they are "only" or "alway" round...I`ll check it out for sure.

    Most of the rubber stuff I could see looked like a squashed brownie with pieces falling off, at least they would need replacement. But I get your opinion about the replacement kits (the link is to a Moog kit from opgi)... saw that too before. I would have gone with Moog parts, no no-name whatsoever stuff...but maybe you`re right. I`ll check what I can get over here, and would only go for the pieces that would need (obviously) replacement, leaving the other stuff alone.
     
  4. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    I have never seen an oval on that era Buick. Anything is possible though.
     
    71gs3504sp likes this.
  5. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    After you know what you need, buy the parts you need from RockAuto. That is my recommendation. International shipping is reasonable with them i find. Not to mention they have very good prices and selection. No need to pay a big mark up to opgi.
     
  6. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Hi

    @ Dave: that`s also what I`ve read, but since it`s really no big deal going under I`m double-checking on it.

    @Ed: I`ve never, in all these years, considered Rockauto, and that might have been a great mistake. Yes, shipping fees are absolutely reasonable compared with other vendors...I`ll definitly give it a try, thanks.

    Jens
     
    NZ GS 400 likes this.
  7. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Well said!
     
    bostoncat68 likes this.
  8. newmexguy

    newmexguy Well-Known Member

    Was under impression "oval" front lower control arm bushings were "phased in" by GM in the 1969ish timeframe. Supposedly for a softer ride. Do not know if specific Divisions all did it at the same time. The round bushing front control arms were sought after, by the circle track crowd, when the 68-72 chassis were popular in the tracks. So, many were burned up, making the Oval ones easier to find, today. And they were newer, being roughly 69-72 in vintage. Of course many control arms were switched, over the years, so check first, order second, would guess that would be good advice.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2021
  9. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    My six cylinder car had oval bushings. That was a 71.
     
  10. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Good point with "what has happend in the last 50 years"...I`ll definitly go under and check it out.

    All the best, thanks for your help, guys

    Jens
     
  11. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    I understand that the 1970 early Chevelles used oval bushings & then switched to round
     
  12. Redmanf1

    Redmanf1 Gold Level Contributor

    oval bushings were used on SB Non F40 or F41 cars, (Non rally ride).
     
  13. 70staged

    70staged Well-Known Member

    Both of my late Flint built 70 Buicks have round bushings. My 70 Skylark (Leeds? not 100% sure off the top of my head) has oval front bushings. Best to look under the car and see what you have.
     

Share This Page