junker garage

Hi, I'm hopping some one in the know can help me out here.
Is the chassis on the 1959 Oldsmobile 98 the same as The 59 Cadillac Deville?
I'm looking for suspension parts and I'm coming up short under Olds. A friend suggested 59 Caddy parts instead.
Can anyone confirm this?
Thank you
JG

joe_padavano

Not even close.
Here's a 59 Caddy front suspension. Note that the upper control arms are nearly straight. Also note that the frame is an X-frame.



Here's a 59 Olds. Note the "drop" in the upper control arms. Also note that the Olds uses a modified perimeter frame with an X.




By the way, Kanter sells complete suspension, steering, and brake rebuild kits for the 59 Olds.

junker garage

Thank you for setting me straight with this.
Goona slap my buddy behind the head for this..
Regards
JG

mpolds

Not even one component is the same -- and you are HAPPY about that --- Caddy parts from that era are waaaaay more expensive.....
And if you want to do your front end with quality N.O.S. parts --- call me...
Craig. 516 + 485 - 1935.....New York

OLDSter Ralph

You may want to check out Pontiac or Buick parts.

mpolds

Sorry, bad advice there buddy.....
All five divisions of General Motors were different in the '50s & '60s......
they didn't unify until 1971....
Thanks, but NO THANKS.....

OLDSter Ralph

So, you are saying nothing interchanges within the B-O-P group ? Without a doubt, engines and transmissions could be very different.

mpolds

Specifically talking about FRONT END, since that what this thread is all about ----
A L L Ball Joints, Bushings, Tie rods, Center link, Idler Arm, etc., etc.
are exclusive to Oldsmobile, period.

OLDSter Ralph

Thank you. that narrows things down.

mpolds

To answer you, Junker Garage, and to other interested parties reading this:
I have the best price in the planet for U.S.A. made (VERY N.O.S. ONLY) parts.
The Upper Ball Joints fit 1959 - 1962 Olds -- ALL -- ONLY (10157 TRW = K5050 MOOG)
The Lower Ball Joints fit 1959 Olds -- ALL -- ONLY -- 1 year, 1 car ONLY --
and I have a good bunch of them -- so my price IS and CAN BE the best on the planet.
Always best to simply call me -- Craig . 516 - 485 - 1935... New York...

OLDSter Ralph

That's good to know. Thank you.

joe_padavano

On the full size cars, that it true on pretty much all the chassis, suspension, and brake parts until the 1971 model year. As you can see from the photos I posted, for the OP's 1959, the chassis is completely different. Olds used a perimeter frame and leaf sprung rear. That 59 Cad uses an X-frame and coil sprung rear. Steering, suspension, brakes are all different. Even in the late 60s, the suspension, steering, and brakes on the full size cars are different among the divisions. You can get front rotors for the Cad. You can't get them for the Olds and Buick (and they are not the same between those two, either). Steering linkage is unique for each. Rear suspension is unique. Brake drums are unique. On the other hand, many of the interior parts for my 67 Delta have come from Impala suppliers. Glass is shared as well. Go figure.

OLDSter Ralph

Joe, I did notice the difference in frames. I am sure there are differences in many things. Some parts are available and some aren't.

joe_padavano

Yeah, and it's hit-or-miss. For example, on my 67, the upper ball joints and idler arm are the two items that no one makes. Craig has been great at finding NORS versions of these, like ancient TRW versions. Rare Parts makes replacement center links, and everything else is still made by Moog.