What to do with my suspension?

[MelectroK]

I realize that there are other posts about suspension on here. However doing a search I cam up with over 200 matches. It will take me for ever to read all them. For those of you with only a small amount of time, I have asked my questions in a short form just below.

Question Short
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Does anyone know of a another or better write up of on suspension replacement besides the one on SHOtimes?

Does anyone know any reliable source where I can get a full suspension kit that is as good if not better then stock for under $500 without mixing and matching parts.

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The longer version for those really helpful soals out there.
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Basically I need to replace (for sure) struts and springs all around, as well as rear upper mounts. Plus the front end has a serious loosness to it that is somewhere in the supsenstion that i hope to find.

But the options I have are:

A: Shop will replace all that and align me for $880.

B: Buy replacement parts from local stores ~$500. (however know one can seem to get the front spings anywhere).

C: Find a suspension kit online with all the parts I need.

I have looked online (basically) summit and found KYB Shocks and Intrax springs. However the springs will lower the car but the shocks are for stock hight. I know you shouldnt mix and match parts unless you know what your doing (which I dont), or you wont have a fun ride at all.

So basically a simple pointing of direction or a link would be greatly appriciated.

Or is paying the extra $300 and having someone do it enought to just avoid the hassel.

Secondly, the only write up I find for replacing suspension is on SHOtimes. Do any of you know an online source besides that, that has the writeup.

Thank you all for you time and pacents. and Start thowing some electrical questions my way.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

It is going to be very difficult to put together a suspension package for under $500.

That will barely cover springs and struts alone.

You also have just about $200 in mounts, hardware, and bushings to replace if you want it done right.

I have a spreadsheet with all needed parts if you are interested.

mounts
bearings
pinch bolts
tension strut bushings
endlinks
sway bar bushings

It also has part numbers and prices from a variety of places.


Almost forgot, autozone's website has a fantastic write-up on the suspension replacement

 

[MI-SHOFEAR]

Agreed with above. The cheapest bang for the buck is Moog/Monroe combo which I am curently running. Umm, $400 for struts and springs and $200 for hardware and mounts ect. But then I kept going with swaybars and strut tower braces. For a really good Suspension package you should expect to spend about $800.

Jeff

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Yes, the MOOG/Monroe setup is a great alternative, but lets not overlook a few things.

If you are really on a budget, you could use your existing coil springs. They would work great with the Monroe sensatracs. The fronts coils should be fine, the rears MAY need replacing.

Also, items such as sway bar bushings and endlinks (included in my $200 estimate) are easily replacd later on. They do not need to be replaced when you have the suspension torn apart.

For struts, the Monre sensa-tracs are your best bet from a finacial standpoint. I have the Monroes on my Titanium '89. They are good struts, just not performance oriented. I opted for them for a somewhat comfy daily driver. My other SHO will get Tokicos.

 

[MelectroK]

Basically that is what I was wondering. I can get stock replacemetn stuff for just over $500. I cannot reuse my springs. I have at least 2 broken ones. I feel my best option will be to go have it replaced since i can get it done for 200 more then all the parts cost.

Thanks for all who responded. Being basically my "beater" car. I didnt care to up grade or lower. Just wanted at lest the OEM feel of it.

 

[MI-SHOFEAR]

For OEM Feel, you still have to cut the Moogs. See Kenny's page on the moogs, good info there.

'Jeff

 

[MelectroK]

Kenny's Page?

 

[MI-SHOFEAR]

http://hosting.superhighoutput.com/notsoslowsho/moog_cc_springs.htm

 

[Cobraii976]

Actually the cheapest suspension you can put on a SHO is either KYB or stock Motorcraft. Tirerack can get you the 4 KYB's for 198.00 SHOX.com can get the motorcrafts/sachs struts for 229.00 NAPA reflexs run about 240.00 and are made by Monroe. Moog cargo's can be had on ebay from RCM for 119.00 and NAPA can do about same for me. upper strut mounts and bearings are all over ebay for under 20 bucks an end I just bought new front strut mounts and bearings for 21.87 and rear mounts for 19.99 and got all 4 mounts. NAPA had the heavy duty TPR endlinks similar to RCM's I think my cost is 21.01 out the door. And labor wise the last full SHO suspension we did was 75.00 a corner.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Sensatracs run $50 each at Rockauto. And Monroe seems to have a "buy 3 get one free" deal every other month or so. Either way, you are getting 4 struts for $200 or less.

Cargo coils are cheapest at RockAuto as well. $100 a set, no matter how you slice 'em

Here we go... All RockAuto prices.

Description....part number....price....

MOOG CC G2 front CC858/NCP2775236 $44.79
MOOG CC G2 rear CC859/NCP2775318 $55.89
MOOG CC G1 front CC862/NCP2775235 $44.79
MOOG CC G1 rear CC839/NCP2775216 $48.99

Strut mount w/ bearing MOOG K8630 (x2) $37.79
Strut mount -rear- MOOG K8636 (x2) $40.79
Tension strut/control arm bush. -front- K8613 $5.47
Tension strut/subframe bush. -front- K8516 $21.99
Tension strut/body bush. -rear- K8675 $26.79
Tension strut/knuckle bush. -rear- K8649 $7.29
TPR sway bar/body bush. -rear- K8761 $13.08
TPR sway bar/body bush. -front- K80018 $10.12
Sway bar enlink -rear- K3124 (x2) $14.44
Sway bar enlink -front- K8702 (x2) $28.79


You should also get new pinch bolts. I get them from SHOnut.

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

You should also get new pinch bolts. I get them from SHOnut.

I am looking to get my sho riding back to normal too.


1. Does SHOnut have a website where I can purchase the pinch bolts? Where do they go?
2. Should all rear springs be replaced on GEN 2 SHO's?
3. Are Inatrax springs as good as they sound for daily driving? I want stock feel/ride. Or should I stick with Moog CC's.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

1. www.shonutperformance.com
2. I would replace rear coils on every SHO during a suspension job, regardless of generation.
3. I dont know, I have not used the Intrax. But if you really want a stock ride, I would stick with stock fronts if you can, and use the MOOG CCs for the rear.

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

Is this what I need? My steering wheel moves when I ride over bumps and uneven pavement after I the tie rod was replaced. Will this help alleviate this problem?

"V6 Front knuckle/strut pinch bolts (2) N803-989-S426 $6.02"
Information from: http://www.shonutperformance.com/

Should I keep my front springs or replace them too?

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

I just ordered all the parts NotSoSlowSHO listed above from RockAuto. I also ordered the pinch bolts from SHONut.

I was toying with the idea installing a beefier rear sway bar. Perhaps 25mm. Worth it?

I also noticed a slight "pop" sound coming from the front driver side when backing onto the street from my driveway. Ball joint?

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

For sway bars on your ATX, most would recommend the gen 1 SHO setup. 24 up front, and 26 in the rear. That is what came stock on both my 89's, and it is a great all-around setup.

A "pop" could be a ball joint, but I would suspect sway bar endlinks first.

Good luck with the suspension install!

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

Umm... are the parts I ordered going to fit? I have different sway bar sizes. Where can I get new sway bars?

 

[oh_SHO]

Umm... are the parts I ordered going to fit? I have different sway bar sizes. Where can I get new sway bars?

Junk yard! That is where I got 3 rear ones and still looking for a front one.

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

Three rear ones! I'll take one off your hands.

 

[AutoSHO]

Chances are you can keep the front bar that is in your car. As long as it is 22mm or larger the car will be neutral to a slight understeering bias. If you have the 20.6mm front bar, you may get a bit of oversteer , but the car will be very neutral in most situations. Not to mention, swapping the front bar is a real pain.

Don't forget to buy Subframe Bushings, they play a huge role in how your car responds and handles.

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

I talked to my performance shop mechanic about the sway bars. I could could not understand why my swaybars are so pueny on my ATX. 20.6 mm up front, 21 mm in the rear. He said the car has a lower center of gravity since it is so heavy so it does not need the larger bars. I suppose that makes sense...

I'm going to keep my original swaybars and buy new bushings for them. Anyone want to buy the Moog 24mm front (K80018) & 26mm rear (K8761) swaybar bushings off me? I'll sell them to you at cost but I'll pick up the shipping. $10.12 + $13.08 = $23.16.