c1 front suspension questions

[James B.]

I have heard that parts from earlier Chevy models can be used as a swap for the front suspension of a C1. Is this correct? Can anyone provide any details from their interchange manuals or experience?

Thanks,

Jim
1959 Corvette Registry, Webmaster

http://59vette.cjb.net

[Mike M.]

Re: c1 front suspension questions

Corvette, in 1952-3, picked 49 to 54 chevy pass car front suspensions "off the shelf" for the first c-1 front suspensions. nearly all components will interchange except the third arm differs. the front crossmember, a-arms, a-arm shafts, spindles, wheel bearings, hubs, springs and shocks(physically will interchange although comnpression rates will differ), and tie rod ends can be removed from the 49-54 chev pass cars and substituted on the c-1's. mike

[James B.]

Re: c1 front suspension questions

Mike,

Thanks for your reply- Does this cover ALL C1's? Or does this only go up to a year like 1961? Sorry for all of the questions-

Thanks,

Jim

[John H.]

Re: c1 front suspension questions

Jim -

'49-'52 passenger car and '53-'62 Corvette front suspension major components are essentially the same; the '53-'54 passenger car front spindle supports are different than Corvette, as the passenger car supports for those two years had the spindle located about an inch higher than '49-'52 and Corvette.

[Tom P.]

Re: c1 front suspension questions

As mentioned, the 53-54 pass car spindle supports are different. Also, the steering arms at the backing plates on all pass cars have a different angle than the Vettes (don't use them or your steering geometry will be wrong). The center steering arm and mounting bracket are totally different between 49-54 pass car and 53-62 Vettes.
All of the replacement/repair parts such as shafts and bushings, kingpin kits, tie rod ends, etc, are all exactly the same. Also, you will probably discover that if you order parts from an aftermarket source for 49-54 Chev rather than from a Corvette aftermarket source, the price will be cheaper (parts for a Vette which are shared with a pass car are usually 3 times higher priced).