Has anyone used this Front End rebuild kit? 64-65 differences?

[Guest Rob J]

Was browsing e-bay, and come upon this front end rebuild kit for the 64 Riv? Couple of questions. 1. Aren't the chassis components cross compatible between 63-65 years? They have it listed as fitting a 64, but correct me if I'm wrong, as I've been under the assumption that the chassis parts are the same in the first gen Riv.

2. Has anyone purchased and installed this kit from this e-bay seller? They seem to have good feedback from other buyers, and it seems like a good price for what they are including. Just wondering how the quality is.

This would be for my 65 401 base Riv, not the GS.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-End-Suspension-Repair-Kit-1964-64-Buick-NEW-/190591113487?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1964%7CModel%3ARiviera&vxp=mtr&hash=item2c601d990f

How about this kit from a different seller?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PST-Original-Performance-Front-End-Kit-64-65-Buick-/120658455560?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1965%7CModel%3ARiviera&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c17cdec08#ht_547wt_1175

Edited October 26, 2011 by Rob J (see edit history)

[Guest Kingoftheroad]

I didn't buy a kit. I just made a list of what I needed and bought the pieces I needed where I could find them. Didn't take long with help from the nice folks of the ROA.

[Guest carlbraun]

Was browsing e-bay, and come upon this front end rebuild kit for the 64 Riv? Couple of questions. 1. Aren't the chassis components cross compatible between 63-65 years? They have it listed as fitting a 64, but correct me if I'm wrong, as I've been under the assumption that the chassis parts are the same in the first gen Riv.

2. Has anyone purchased and installed this kit from this e-bay seller? They seem to have good feedback from other buyers, and it seems like a good price for what they are including. Just wondering how the quality is.

This would be for my 65 401 base Riv, not the GS.

Front End Suspension Repair Kit 1964 64 Buick NEW | eBay

How about this kit from a different seller?

PST Original Performance Front End Kit 64-65 Buick | eBay

I chose to purchase mine from Cars, Inc in NJ as I like to support the ROA vendors as much as possible...even though I often bark about their service. When I purchased my kit from Cars, inc I asked about the manufacturer of the front end kit and they confirmed that most of it is Federal Mogul stuff. Federal Mogul is mostly made in USA/Mexico instead of some of the Chinese/Taiwan or Korean names coming over. One of my Fed Mogul pieces says made in USA but nothing on the labels of the other parts. English instructions on the wrappers too.

My front end alignment shop looked at my steering assembly that was removed from the 45 yr old car and was amazed at the shape of the center link and tie rods. I'm replacing outer tie rods cause they came in the kit and maybe the Pitman arm as my guy at the shop says its an older design.

Be careful of eBay.......and regarding the 64 year part....if you searched 1964 RIviera you will see that it fits yoiur application but other applications that it would wrok on (63 or 65) would not be listed because yoiu were specific with your 1964 search.

Edited October 27, 2011 by carlbraun (see edit history)

[Ron Luchene]

Can anyone relay their personal experience replacing these front end components on their own? I intend to replace the springs and front end components this winter and while I could certainly take it to my local mechanic I would like to broaden my horizons a bit and try replacing these things on my own. Let me know!