Strut spring setup for the 89

[Eliw]

Ok, so im finally going to change the struts and springs on the 89. I am sure I'm going to get tokicos and was going to get Moog CC's. Then I saw a great price on a set of itrax springs. Also, I know my springs and struts in the front are pretty bad so I have to ask, Will the lowering effect cause any problems since I dont have low profile tires? Also, has anybody heard anything bad about Intrax springs sold on Ebay?

 

[92inPA]

Since you stated that you know your front springs are bad, that means that they must have collapsed somewhat from their original height. By installing Intrax or other 'lowering" springs you may actually raise the car instead of lowering it. the lowering springs do make a car lower, when compared to new OEM springs. In the case of collapsed springs, the resulting height change may not be very much.

How far have your springs collapsed from the original factory ride height?

 

[Eliw]

Im not really sure how low theyve gotten but if they are low and the lowering springs raise it a little, I would not complain. I know the struts have been bad for quite a while so Im pretty sure the springs are lower than they should be. Actually, I dont know if this helps, I can hear when the tires scrape the splash shields in the wells when taking a speed bump.

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

for the money : 586 bucks you can have the eibach tokico set up delivered to your door off ebay. Lifetime product with a sweet riding SHO for a great price.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

For the money: $380 Tokicos shipped off ebay, and $100 for a set of Moog CCs

Much better option IMO.

My ebay Tokicos arrived today

Lifetime, and even better price.


BTW, here is my MOOG setup, with one coil cut on the front, and non-modified rears.

My other SHO is getting the Tokico struts with the MOOG CCs, but cut down a bit more

 

[Doug Waschenko]

I have the Tokico/Intrax combo.
I don't know if it is really, a problem but apparently all shorter then stock springs (Intrax, Eibachs, cut Moogs) are too short to put any pressure on the strut bearing seat when the front suspension hangs or is completely unloaded.
Under that condition, technically there isn't anything to hold the strut bearing from coming out of it's seat.
When you jack the front of the car from the frame and let the wheel hang you must be certain that the seats have not seperated before you let the car back down.
You will also hear popping sounds from the strut bearings when you are driving and the front suspension suddenly drops, like off of a curb (even a small curb), a road seam, or (God forbid) a *** hole.
Apparently this is "expected" with these set ups and has not caused any fatalaties. I thought I would mention it here in this thread since I personally never came across this information when I was doing my data gathering prior to the swap and it was totally unexpected by me.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Ive wondered about that as well. However, my MOOG/Monroe setup (with only one coil cut up front) allows it to sit at near stock ride height. And I still needed coil spring compressors to install the coils on the struts. No problems there, but they are similar to stock height.

As for cutting more coils, and running the risk of extending the struts beyond the useable length of the coils (did that make sense?), I have a few ideas for possible fix's.

A long time ago I was really into baja/offroad racing. I had a 1/2 ton chevy short box, with all the goodies, and my buddy had a '73 Bronco. The bronco had inherent (from the factory) problems with "dislocating" shocks when the suspension became totally de-compressed. Heavy nylon "limiting straps" was the fix.

Just a thought, and one I might look into further when I cut down my MOOGs for my other SHO

 

[Doug Waschenko]

Yup, limiting straps is the simplest answer but give me the detais. What do we attach the straps to on the top? Life is in the details.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Im working on the details

You know how struts come in the packaging? With the nylon strap holding them compressed?

Just think bigger

Aw... Ill have to put some thought into this.

How about utilizing the strut mount bolts for the top mouting location, and wrapped around the "tulip" of the lower portion of the strut?

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

BTW, here is my MOOG setup, with one coil cut on the front, and non-modified rears.

Wow, hows the air up there? I could change the oil without ramps in that thing!

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Wow, hows the air up there? I could change the oil without ramps in that thing!

Um, NO. zzzzz

it sits slightly lower than stock.