The Complete Guide to All Star Suspension Parts: What You Need to Know

All Star Performance has been a trusted name in the racing and performance aftermarket for decades, offering a comprehensive lineup of suspension components designed to handle the rigors of high-speed competition and demanding off-road conditions. Whether you're building a circle track car, a drag racer, a hot rod, or a trail rig, All Star suspension parts can provide the durability, adjustability, and precision you need. This guide breaks down the key components, selection considerations, and practical advice for getting the most out of your suspension upgrade.

What Are All Star Suspension Parts?

All Star suspension parts are engineered for vehicles that see heavy stress—race cars, off-road trucks, and custom builds. The brand focuses on high-strength materials like chromoly steel and billet aluminum, with attention to weld integrity and precision machining. Unlike generic suspension components, All Star parts often include features like spherical bearings, adjustable lengths, and greaseable pivot points, making them suitable for both professional teams and serious enthusiasts. The product range covers everything from control arms and panhard bars to coilover components and steering linkage.

Key Components in the All Star Suspension Lineup

1. Control Arms and A-Arms

All Star's control arms are available in tubular steel and aluminum for both upper and lower positions. Many are designed with adjustable rod ends or ball joints to fine-tune caster, camber, and scrub radius. The chromoly versions offer a strength-to-weight ratio ideal for dirt track and asphalt racing. For off-road applications, heavy-duty versions with larger tubing and added gussets handle impacts from rocks and ruts.

2. Panhard Bars and Track Bars

These lateral links locate the axle side-to-side. All Star panhard bars come with threaded adjusters and polyurethane or spherical bushings. Adjustability is critical for centering the axle after a lift or lowering, and the spherical ends reduce bind during suspension cycling—important for both handling and component longevity.

3. Coilover Components

All Star offers threaded coilover sleeves, spring perches, and shock mounts. These allow you to convert a conventional strut to a coilover setup or adjust ride height and spring preload. Their coilover kits often include high-rate springs and caster/camber plates for added tuning. The materials—steel or aluminum—affect weight and cost, so your choice depends on the intended use.

4. Steering Linkage

From tie rods to center links, All Star steering components are built to minimize flex and slop. Many use heavy-duty ball joints or rod ends with chrome-moly studs. For race cars, quick-ratio steering arms are available, while off-road trucks benefit from reinforced tie rods that resist bending on trails.

5. Sway Bars and Links

All Star sway bars come in various diameters and splined ends for adjustment. The associated links use spherical or high-durometer bushings to provide predictable roll stiffness without binding. Getting the right sway bar rate is crucial for balancing corner entry and exit grip.

6. Brackets and Mounting Hardware

No suspension upgrade is complete without proper brackets. All Star supplies weld-on and bolt-on mounts for shock towers, panhard bars, and sway bars. Their hardware kits include grade 8 bolts and locking nuts, which prevent loosening under vibration.

How to Choose the Right All Star Suspension Parts for Your Build

Consider Your Vehicle’s Primary Use

All Star designs parts for specific disciplines. Circle track parts often have adjustable caster and camber built into the control arms, while off-road parts focus on maximum articulation and impact resistance. Identify whether your build is for pavement racing, dirt racing, drag racing, street performance, or off-road, then select the corresponding product line.

Match Materials to the Application

• Chromoly steel: Best for high-load, competition environments where weight savings matter, but requires proper welding if you need to modify. Common in upper control arms and panhard bars.
• Mild steel: More affordable and easier to weld, but heavier. Good for street rods and budget builds.
• Billet aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, but more expensive. Used in high-end components like coilover sleeves and sway bar links.

Factor in Adjustability

Adjustable control arms, panhard bars, and coilover mounts let you dial in alignment and ride height. If you track your car frequently or have changed ride height, adjustable parts are worth the investment. For a strictly street-driven vehicle with no modifications, fixed-length components may suffice.

Check Suspension Geometry

All Star parts are often designed to replace factory geometry with more performance-oriented specs. Before buying, verify the part’s intended wheelbase, track width, and mounting points. Some control arms are specific to certain chassis families (e.g., GM G-body, Fox-body Mustang, Jeep Wrangler TJ). Consult the manufacturer’s application guide or a knowledgeable dealer to avoid fitment issues.

Installation Tips and Considerations

Proper Welding Practices

Many All Star brackets and tabs are designed to be welded to the chassis or axle. Use a quality MIG or TIG welder with appropriate filler material for the steel grade. Clean the weld area thoroughly and preheat if necessary to prevent cracking. Incorrect welding can lead to failure—if you’re not confident, have a certified welder do the work.

Setting Ride Height and Corner Balance

After installing adjustable coilovers or spring seats, follow the manufacturer’s recommended initial settings (e.g., 3–4 inches of thread engagement). Once installed, measure ride height at each corner. For race cars, invest in a corner-weight scale to balance the cross weights. On off-road rigs, set the ride height to achieve the desired bump and droop travel.

Aligning the Suspension

All Star parts with rod ends or adjustable ball joints allow for a full alignment. Set caster, camber, and toe to your vehicle’s specs or custom settings based on track conditions. Use a digital alignment gauge or take it to a shop experienced with race alignments. Check that the steering wheel is centered after adjustments.

Torque Specifications

Use a torque wrench on all fasteners. All Star typically provides recommended torque values: usually 50–70 ft-lbs for rod end jam nuts, 80–100 ft-lbs for ball joint studs, and 120–150 ft-lbs for axle nuts. Over-tightening can damage bearings; under-tightening leads to loosening and wear.

Final Recommendation

For anyone serious about improving their vehicle’s handling, durability, and adjustability, All Star suspension parts are a solid investment. Focus on components that match your specific application—don’t overbuild with heavy-duty parts if you only drive on the street, and don’t skimp on adjustability if you race. Start with control arms and a panhard bar if you’re on a budget; they offer the most noticeable improvement in stability and alignment control. If your budget allows, add coilover adjustability and reinforced steering linkage. Always buy from authorized All Star dealers to ensure genuine parts and correct application fitment. With careful selection and proper installation, your All Star suspension will deliver years of reliable performance.