Plymouth Volare Suspension Used Parts: A Practical Guide for Owners

If you own a Plymouth Volare, you know that keeping it on the road often means hunting for used parts. The suspension system is no exception. Whether you are restoring a classic or just need to replace a worn-out component, used suspension parts can save you money without sacrificing reliability. This guide covers the common suspension parts that fail, where to find them secondhand, and what to check before you buy.

Understanding the Plymouth Volare Suspension System

The Plymouth Volare (1976–1980) rides on Chrysler’s F-body platform, which it shares with the Dodge Aspen. Its suspension is a mix of proven designs: a torsion bar front suspension and leaf springs in the rear. While robust for their era, these parts are now decades old and prone to wear. Knowing the system helps you identify what you need.

Common Suspension Parts That Wear Out

• Torsion bars: The front torsion bars sag over time, causing a low ride height and poor handling. Used torsion bars from another Volare or Aspen can restore original ride height, but they must be checked for fatigue cracks.
• Lower control arms: The pivot bushings wear out, leading to clunking and alignment issues. Used control arms are available, but inspect the ball joint and bushing condition closely.
• Upper control arms: Similar bushing wear. Also check the bushings at the frame pivot and the ball joint.
• Steering knuckles (spindles): These are sturdy but can be bent in an accident. A used spindle should be measured for trueness.
• Rear leaf springs: The main leaves often break or lose arch. Used leaf springs from a Volare station wagon or Aspen can work, but verify the spring rate matches your car (coupe vs. wagon).
• Shock absorbers: While shocks are best bought new, used OE-style shocks can be a temporary fix if they are not leaking.
• Sway bars and links: Sway bar bushings deteriorate. The bars themselves are long-lasting, but links may be bent.
• Coil springs (if equipped): Some Volares had optional front coil springs instead of torsion bars? Actually, F-body always used torsion bars. Rear coils are not used—only leaf springs.

Where to Find Used Suspension Parts for Your Volare

Finding good used suspension parts requires knowing where to look. Here are the most reliable sources.

Online Salvage Yards

Websites like Car-Part.com aggregate inventory from thousands of salvage yards across the US. You can search for specific parts (e.g., “Plymouth Volare lower control arm”) and see prices, photos, and condition notes. Many yards offer shipping. This is often the fastest way to find a part if you don’t have a local junkyard.

Local Junkyards and Auto Recyclers

Call ahead to smaller yards that specialize in older Mopars. Because the Volare is not a high-demand classic, many yards will let you pull the part yourself for a lower price. Bring tools to remove torsion bars (they are under tension) and be prepared to crawl under a car that may be on blocks. Check for rust on the part, especially around bushings.

Classic Mopar Forums and Clubs

Online communities like ForABodiesOnly.com, MoparMax, or local Mopar clubs often have members parting out cars. You can post a want ad for suspension parts. These sellers are usually enthusiasts who describe the part accurately. You may get a better deal and more honesty than from a big yard.

Swap Meets and Car Shows

If you attend Mopar-focused swap meets, you can often find used suspension parts on someone’s trailer. Inspect in person, bargain, and avoid parts that look beat. Bring a small magnet to check for bondo on control arms (unlikely but possible).

What to Look for When Buying Used Suspension Parts

Not all used parts are worth your time. Scrutinize each piece before handing over cash.

Inspecting for Rust and Wear

• Surface rust is acceptable—it can be wire-brushed and painted. Deep pitting or scaling compromises the metal’s strength, especially on torsion bars and steering knuckles.
• Bushings: Rubber bushings should be firm, not cracked or mushy. If they are perished, factor in the cost of new bushings (about $10–30 each) and the labor to press them in.
• Ball joints: Grab the ball joint stud and try to move it. Excessive play means the joint is worn. A used ball joint with play is not worth buying because replacing it requires the same labor as a new one.
• Torsion bars: Roll them on a flat surface to check for straightness. Look for gouges or nicks that could cause stress risers.
• Leaf springs: Check for broken leaves, sag, or rust between the leaves. A slight arch loss is normal, but if the spring is flat, it will not support the car properly.

Compatibility with Other Mopar Models

The Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen are direct swaps. The front suspension parts also interchange with some later M-body cars (e.g., Dodge Diplomat, Plymouth Gran Fury) with minor differences. Rear leaf springs from A-body cars (e.g., Dodge Dart) have different widths and spring rates—do not use them. Stick to F-body parts unless you have verified dimensions. Ball joints, bushings, and torsion bars are specific to F-body, so always confirm part numbers.

Price Comparison: Used vs. New vs. Rebuilt

• New OEM-reproduction parts are available for some suspension components (e.g., ball joints, tie rod ends) from brands like Moog or Raybestos. These are often better than used due to modern materials.
• Used parts can be a good deal for larger assemblies like control arms or steering knuckles if the bushings are intact. For wear items like bushings, springs, or ball joints, new is usually safer.
• Rebuilt parts (e.g., power steering gearboxes) are available from specialty shops but are rare for Volare suspension. Most rebuilders focus on A-bodies and E-bodies.

Final Recommendation

For suspension parts, weigh cost against safety. Critical components like ball joints, steering linkages, and shock absorbers should be replaced with new or known-good parts. For torsion bars, control arms, leaf springs, and sway bars, used parts from a reliable source can work well if they pass inspection. Start with online salvage yards for specific items, and join a Mopar forum to tap into community knowledge. Always replace bushings and hardware if they are worn. With careful shopping, you can keep your Volare driving safely without breaking the bank.