I've got a 78 Volare front clip I'm thinking of installing on my 50 Plymouth wagon. I'm running a slant/6 and automatic and the Volare suspension is appealing. I was wondering how difficult rebuilding the Volare suspension might be? Is it a DIY project in my shop at home? Parts sources? Advice?

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I rebuilt the volare suspension on my volare last year.

I would say Get a service manual for the 76-80 volare, Get the Upper Ball joint socket - Medium Size, same as cudas/ Roadrunners. Get a Pickle fork and A Quality Impact gun.

If you get this stuff I believe it's possible.


I would say the only thing I had to send out were the Lower ball joints.

They are a press fit.


I was able to get them out with my air chisel, And I presed one in with a hammer and a big socket, the other would not go in with the hammer and socket.

I bought my kit from
http://www.performancesuspension.com/
It had everything except the Pittman Arm, I got that From advance Auto.
I got the graphite / Poly Bushings - They can be noisy, but they stiffen the front end. I Belive the rubber would have been fine too.
I just Drive a lot in the salt and the rubber Detoriated Quicker on a daily driver.


Greg

Any other thoughts, folks?

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I don't have that era Mopar but I do know that the Volare front suspension is used by alot of hot rodders. I have a friend with a 55 Frod pickup and it has a Volare front suspension in it. Good Luck!

They arent bad to do. Instead of sending out the lower cont arms for the ball joints to be pressed, invest in one of those C clamp style ball joint presses. The OTC ones can be had for $129 and the knock offs Ive seen below $50. Itll be worthwhile to have around anyway, itll work on most cars with pressed balljoints.
On the Volare front end, check the torsion bar bushings. the ones at the cont arms are available from aftermarket places like Moog and Spicer the ones that attatch the torsion bar to the crossmsmber is dealer only. I bought 2 sets a while back,. the ones at the cont arm definitely buy aftermarket, there youll spend like $50-75 ea, the dealer quoted me like $200-something each. I didnt price the whole torsion bars but Im guessing taht you could buy the whole thing for that! The rest, ball joints, tie rods,etc are pretty common and cheap as Diplomats, 5th Aves, Gran furys, used the exact same setup all the way to '89.

I appreciate the info, a quick look at the suspension and I figured I could do it, but knowing other folks have done already is helpful.

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that otc c clamp tool that volaredon talked about is great for doing u joints also... harbor freight has one on sale this week for $20 or so if you have one near you...the rebuild will be relatively easy, im sure youll be ok.

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