Trying to do my due diligence on front suspension rebuild for my wagon, specifically trying to find quality rubber parts. Came across an e-bay store called Northern Auto Direct. Their page says all rubber bushings in kit have a Durometer rating of between 67 and 74 (are those good ratings for these parts?) and the company has a Lifetime Warranty on suspension and steering parts. They do have a good e-bay rating, 30 day returns. First company I've come across that addresses the rubber Durometer question. If anyone is interested, they also claim to have the same items in Polygraphite/Polyurethane rated at 85 to90 Durometer. Has anyone bought anything from this company? They almost sound too good to be true. They seem to be based in Virginia. Lifetime Warranty makes me su****ious. They sell kits for all cars. Anyone have any info on this E-bay store? At least I can get the money back through E-bay if it all falls through. Is 67-74 a good Durometer reading for these parts? Really don't want to do this again in a year or two, but not expecting to last a lifetime.
Stock parts gave 50-60,000 miles of city/highway driving. The key is lubrication for what ever you choose. I’ve looked for the rubber lube I used when working the oil change lube station for Sears in the 60’s but can’t find it. I use 303 Protectorant now. Urethane off road stuff would probably last forever if you can find correct sizing.
If I could get that kind of mileage out of my parts I would be very happy. I will be using your tip on the 303 when I decide on whose product I buy, and I will be purchasing the poly boots/cups that evintho graciously put up for us., but I don't want to use any urethane bushings,etc for several reasons. Do you soak your rubber, or just apply and wipe down.? I'll put that 303 on every piece of rubber I have/will have. Thanks for the input.
The stuff we used at the Texaco station in the 60s was called ru-glide. I bought a gallon can a couple years ago from napa, works well for mounting motorcycle tires.
Watch the YouTubes on the product. Soak the parts first. I spray our Hoosier dirt track tires before mounting 3 times and they are lasting longer.
Durometer is stiffness or resistance to deformation. They are putting those numbers out there as way to relate how much stiffer the poly parts are to the rubber versions.
Thanks, I understand. I need to be careful of my ride height. Can't go any higher because there is only 1 1/2 inches of clearance to get in my garage, and with new body mounts and suspension, it's going to be real close, I'm afraid.
I don't know anything about the company you are looking at but I can offer my experience with Kanter Auto Parts, I bought their deluxe kit for the Ranch Wagon and it has been on the road since 2012, I couldn't ask for it to preform any better. HRP The kit consist with these parts and is $384.oo Deluxe Ball Joint Type Kits Typical Kits Include: 2 Upper Ball Joints 2 Lower Ball Joints 2 Stabilizer Link Kits (most models) 2 Outer Tie Rod Ends 2 Strut Bushing Kits (as required) Upper Inner Bushings Lower Inner Bushings Control Arm Bumpers (most models) Inner Shaft Kits
I'm happy to report that Ebay store Northern Auto Direct is an honest, real company. Ordered their Deluxe kit for my wagon on 2/13 and the parts came today. Total was $514.13,shipping,taxes, complete, more than Kanter and most others,but I went with this company because they stated their rubber Durometer ratings on their website, where others couldn't/wouldn't do so. Kanter is a reliable company, but they may have to use the same rubber source as many others. Just don't know, but I do know I can't do this rebuild again. Just so's y'know .Now, where did I put that 303?
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