Before going out an buying a complete front end kit (I assume ball joints are included) check the ball joints you now have. The joints used in 54 -56 cars (and TBirds) were extremely rugged and almost indestructible if they were greased occasionally. These are the most expensive part of the kit. I have a 54 Ford and a 56 Bird. All the bushings in the front end were shot as well as the idler arm. But the ball joints were perfect. The Bird was the same way, although not quite as bad as the 54. Again, the ball joints passed muster.



I can't say if they were ever replaced but every one I have heard on the ball joint subject says the same thing.



I got my parts from Kanter and everything fit as it should.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Sorry for not getting back sooner, but thanks for all of the responses.

Jan  Urbanczyk  Major USMC Ret.

                                                                 Bowie Maryland

Cactus-

In a quick look, I'd say Carpenter has the best deal going. $50 each for upper and lower ball joints - and $30 per arm for the upper and lower pivot shafts (with bushings). That gets everything swinging on new for $320.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

No the source dried up. I tried to find another manufacturer but adding the outer metal shells seems to be the hang point. Your local full machine shop may be able to make them out of Delrin but thats pretty stiff. All I have left is two sets of sway bar bushings and 2 sets of body mount pads (36 pcs 18 pads). Sorry. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Catus,   Concours Parts has  an ad in Fomoco times,  with special priceing on front end parts ....Looks  good to me .................1-888-600-7278...............Sam

56 victoria

Chuck - do you still have your source of the urethane pivot bushings for the a-arms?

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Check with Kanter I think their full kit is cheaper. Then look at Mac's and the other suppliers and make a list of cost. The ball joints seem to run in the $60-70 range but I think the rubber parts can be had cheaper. By the way I have a couple of sets of Polyurethane sway bar mounts, 1 blue and 1 black if you are interested $65 a set. These are true oil impregnated race products to stiffen up the sway bar. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of a company that advertises on E-Pay called CarmarketPro.They have a front end rebuild kit listed(Item number 380018860446) for 500 Dollars.  I was curious as to whether this is a good buy, or whether I can buy parts individually cheaper or is this just overkill.  Any opinions?   Thanks

Jan  Urbanczyk  Major USMC Ret.

                                                                 Bowie Maryland