I have some type of air ride suspension.
It has a compressor that adjust the ride hieght of the car.
I had everything checked out and things are good. No leaks or damage to struts/shocks.
The question is simple...
"Does the age of the suspension affect it and does it need to be replaced for being old?"

The reason I ask is it is a 14 year old car. It handles well but really slams any small pot holes and it sucks in tight corners with lots of body roll and understeer. I push thru turns if I am on the throttle.

I would like to get better sway bars and a smoother ride but i am not dropping $2 grand on a full suspension redo if it is not necessary or there is significant gains.

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Thanks, Rich

The Black Pearl-94 SSEi stock 150,000miles
MODS...Magnaflow Cat, Magnaflow F-body Muffler, 180*F T-stat, 2.5"pulley, Yella Terra 1.8" roller rockers, custom CAI box, 93'SSEi fuel pressure regulator(3.0BAR), Walbro HP fuel pump, reman Jasper trans, new front suspension

I'll move your topic to Performance and Brainstorming since it's an upgrade for performance, and not a mechanical problem for the most part.

The air suspension isn't air-ride. They are conventional gas struts WITH air assist for load levelling in case you use your car to haul heavy crap around. This system is called ELC. Electonic Level Control, and the air portion of the system is a calulated part of the beefier performance spring rate of FE2 equipped cars (SSEi's all have FE2).

The stock swaybars are more than sufficient. I still run stock on the Zilla. The best thing you can do is upgrade your swaybar endlinks:

Ok....here's the deal (with ALL the details for 92-99, all models):

The link kit from GM is crap. Not sure when the change happened, but GM is using plastic spacers and washers on the new kits (verified in person at the local dealer). I think the plastic would give too much, and doesn't provide enough support for the insulators, especially on the firmer SSE/SSEi suspensions. Wanna firm up your ride?

Buy Energy Suspension kit #9.8120RC. This kit is for the left and right (front) endlinks. It's complete with BIGGER than stock bolts (and shorter, thank god), washers, and POLYURETHANE bushings (insulators). I got mine at Autozone for about $15 for BOTH sides (in the same package....full front kit). Follow the advice previously stated in this thread for install, but the kit comes with good directions, too. You don't need a maintenance manual. Just a good set of ramps and basic tools.

Wanna do the rear? Leave it to GM. They don't sell a kit for the rear. Each individual piece (bolt, nut, 2 washers, 3 insulators) have to be purchased seperately. Combined, it'll run you about $25. I have a better idea. Buy just the BOLT from GM. Get 2 of the 10026678 bolts (trust me, you want new....don't re-use the old), should run just shy of 4 bucks each. Then go to your local hardware store and buy two 8mm 'nylock' hex nuts. Fit them to the bolts to make sure, and try to get stainless steel. Now go BACK to Autozone and buy the Energy Suspension kit # 9.8105RC Bushing set. Comes with 8 washers and 8 bushings (insulators). You'll have 2 extra of each. Cost me $9 (US).

I haven't done the rear yet, but I now have a better than stock kit ready to go in for less than $20 for the rear.

Here they are lined up (left to right):

Far left, new package, old front endlinks. Far right, new rear endlink 'kit'.



They will make a PROFOUND difference in your older suspension. Better than factory condition. VERY inexpensive and fairly easy to do as well.

In addition, your rear struts can be upgraded. I concentrate on the rear first, as the car is setup from the factory with a rear imbalance to cause understeer, and keep you safe. I've invested alot more time in my rear suspension upgrades than the front. Monroe Sensatrac ELC struts (you must keep the air function) are a GREAT upgrade for factory struts, especially if yours are old.

In addition, (keep in mind my fronts are also upgraded), I still felt a little rear 'looseness' and went with nascar style rear spring rubbers.

I'll show you at WCBF. You can drive the Zilla and see the effect in comparison.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

^^^^^What he said

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2000 SE: 17" Chrome Grand Prix GTP wheels, Pirelli P-Zero Nero Rubber.
180,000 miles and running smooth

Awesome! I will do the swaybar links as my next project after the CAI on June 14th weekend.
I should be able to do a bunch of stuff now that I joined a local club!

Now one thing I don't understand is...are the old struts weaker for being old or do they perform the same as newer ones because there are no leaks? Sort of a hydraulics question.

The rears have springs over the struts. What about the springs?

I just want to make sure I am upgrading the car in small increments that will benefit the car.

_________________
Thanks, Rich

The Black Pearl-94 SSEi stock 150,000miles
MODS...Magnaflow Cat, Magnaflow F-body Muffler, 180*F T-stat, 2.5"pulley, Yella Terra 1.8" roller rockers, custom CAI box, 93'SSEi fuel pressure regulator(3.0BAR), Walbro HP fuel pump, reman Jasper trans, new front suspension

The struts are traditional gas-filled struts with a seperate air assist for ELC. Either part of that can get tired over time, independent of the other.

In most cases, your springs will be fine. Keep in mind, you also have CCR on a 94. Computer Command Ride changes the damping rate by use of a valve on each strut. You will lose this function when you upgrade, as even if the CCR struts are avaialble, they're horribly expensive. That being said, there are struts out there that will make you NOT miss the CCR. It's not much of a change from one mode to another. If BOTH the Performance and Touring ride lights are on, your CCR has already failed.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Sorry this is coming a bit late, but after a great deal of research, I discovered that I could install an Addco model 419 (Part Number: K1-419-0U) rear anti-sway bar. The kit flattens my LeSabre out rather nicely in hard cornering and creates a tiny bit of oversteer. The kit includes some nice polyurethane endlinks and bushings and some beefy modified mounts (which I have not installed yet). I modified my flimsy stock mounts and they are still holding up, but the Addco modified mounts are much better. The kit cost me under $150 in March and it looks like it now costs about $220. It should work nicely on your Bonneville, as it was designed for a Bonneville in the first place.

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My 1999 Regal LS: 65k miles, lots of mods + rod knock mod :(
Previous Rides: 1998 LeSabre Custom (totalled by a van 1/12/09@ 71K miles), 1991 Accord EX Slushbox (munched a timing belt idler), 1988 Civic DX 5spd (was a reliable, rusty death trap)
The 98 LeSabre's mod list (a tribute to my favorite H body "hotrod"): Addco model 419 7/8" rear anti-sway bar, Energy front swaybar endlinks, Badlanz electric exhaust cutout, Thrush turbo muffler with custom tailpipe, modified PCM by Sinister Performance, ScanGuageII, 180 deg. t-stat, gutted airbox, rear air lift kit, Bonneville 16" gold crosslace rims, aftermarket stereo and speakers w/ Infinity Basslink sub, Mobil 1 synthetic 5w30 and Mobil(?) Dexron VI tranny fluid, Prestone long life coolant (DIE DEXCOOL!)

for $12 I installed an SSEi Rear Sway Bar( 21mm ) on my 95 SE, and on the front for another $12 I installed the 32mm front sway bar... Makes a big difference... But I also installed the F41/FE2 Springs Front/Rear and air assist struts in the rear

Do exactly what willwren said. Time and money well spent. You'll notice the difference.

That sounds like a good option for you and others with the FE1 suspension, but the topic author has FE2 already. With the beefier swaybars jr's3800 mentioned above.

FE1 can benefit from an FE2 rear bar, but I'd caution that you can introduce some handling imbalance that way. I suggest upgrading your front bar to the FE2 spec, or at LEAST upgrade your front struts and/or swaybar endlinks. Some of that oversteer may go away.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Yes somehow I missed that Bill.. All SSEi's had the largest sway Bars that you would find on an H body... And most of the time the stiffest spring setting... Bushings, Endlinks and new struts would do the car a world of good..

But the Olds Touring Sedan did have a 22 mm rear bar. Admittedly a C body.

Madmax, any idea how thick that bar was? Probably fun to drive with it balanced that way.

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2004 GXP - Greystone and stock

95 Oldsmobile 98 L36. 180 degree thermostat. Tru-Cool tranny cooler. Touring Sedan wheels. FE3 springs. Urethane End Links. Magnaflow Cat 94006 -> Soon to be replaced by something that works. WAI. Ported and polished LIM.
Mods coming soon - . Touring Sedan seats. TS Sway bars. - Sold

97 Oldsmobile LSS L67 - Stock. For now. - Sold

Addco lists my particular bar as 7/8 inches or about 22mm. It is a heavy, solid core bar. Being as I have a mushy, "Dynaride" suspension, stiffening up the tail end really gives it character.

Jr, where were you able to come by a front bar for $12? Is that bar solid or tubular? My 30mm tubular front bar is quite uninspiring.

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My 1999 Regal LS: 65k miles, lots of mods + rod knock mod :(
Previous Rides: 1998 LeSabre Custom (totalled by a van 1/12/09@ 71K miles), 1991 Accord EX Slushbox (munched a timing belt idler), 1988 Civic DX 5spd (was a reliable, rusty death trap)
The 98 LeSabre's mod list (a tribute to my favorite H body "hotrod"): Addco model 419 7/8" rear anti-sway bar, Energy front swaybar endlinks, Badlanz electric exhaust cutout, Thrush turbo muffler with custom tailpipe, modified PCM by Sinister Performance, ScanGuageII, 180 deg. t-stat, gutted airbox, rear air lift kit, Bonneville 16" gold crosslace rims, aftermarket stereo and speakers w/ Infinity Basslink sub, Mobil 1 synthetic 5w30 and Mobil(?) Dexron VI tranny fluid, Prestone long life coolant (DIE DEXCOOL!)

You got the same bar as OEM FE2 (all SSEi's and a few sub-models like my SLE). Try your local wreckers or try www.car-part.com to locate one. Be advised the price listed is what you'll hear over the phone. I suggest finding a local yard that has one listed, then go PERSONALLY to the yard and ask how much. More often than not, you'll get a reduced rate, especially if you pull it yourself.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

I thought the FE2 bar was a 21mm?

_________________
2004 GXP - Greystone and stock

95 Oldsmobile 98 L36. 180 degree thermostat. Tru-Cool tranny cooler. Touring Sedan wheels. FE3 springs. Urethane End Links. Magnaflow Cat 94006 -> Soon to be replaced by something that works. WAI. Ported and polished LIM.
Mods coming soon - . Touring Sedan seats. TS Sway bars. - Sold

97 Oldsmobile LSS L67 - Stock. For now. - Sold

What's the spring rate? Design? Length? Retention points? Alloy?

Your 22 may very well be weaker than an OEM FE2 bar. Comparisons can't be made without some research. The point I'm making is that the FE2 bar from the wrecker might have been what you were after all along. It IS a performance upgrade for your FE1-equipped car.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Don't want to dig up an old thread, but since this is very related...

I wanted to do this upgrade as well. You stated they don't have a kit for the rear, but when I was searching online I found a "rear" set for the same part number as the front set.

Front:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... 20%5FFront

Rear:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... 120%5FRear

Will this kit not work?

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2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Competition Group - 43, 000km - L32 3800 - 3.29 Final Gear Ratio - RETIRED
1996 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi - 203, 000km- L67 3800 - 2.93 Final Gear Ratio - RETIRED
1989 Pontiac Bonneville SSE - 222, 000KM - LN3 3800 - 2.97 Final Gear Ratio - RETIRED

something not mentioned here is subframe bushings. All 12 pieces will run about 8/piece if purchaced through GMPD.

make sure you order a couple of the #1 pieces, you will find 1 or 2 of your old ones bad




email gmpd with you vin# so you get the correct bushings, the ones listed are for a 97

this will drastically improve the feel of your front end

From my experience, doing both front and rear bars still keeps the car prone to understeer. To really improve turn in, upgrading only the rear bar makes it turn better.

The car will ride flatter with both, but stiffening the rear will, IMO bring the car into a much more neutral feeling. I wouldn't dare call it oversteer however. IIRC there's an addco part for upgrading 92-99 cars, since you've got essentially the GM best already, toss a good one in the rear IMO.

Good dampers will help fix ride issues such as the jarring you describe over bumps. Get some decent struts, rent a spring compressor or find a buddy with some, and DIY. Getting a rear bar will allow the car to turn in harder. Doing both will make the entire car corner flatter overall.

The front bar is an absolute PITA btw.

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Jason Z - Exposed Autos

2001 BMW 330i - Titanium Silver - Sport Package - 3 Pedals - Koni Yellow/H&R Sport
2006 Volkswagen GTI - (gone) Tornado Red - DSG, Stage II~280hp/325tq
1993 Pontiac Bonneville - (gone) Purple Pearl H4U/SLE. Loud

What store do I buy the sway bar link kits from?

_________________
Thanks, Rich

The Black Pearl-94 SSEi stock 150,000miles
MODS...Magnaflow Cat, Magnaflow F-body Muffler, 180*F T-stat, 2.5"pulley, Yella Terra 1.8" roller rockers, custom CAI box, 93'SSEi fuel pressure regulator(3.0BAR), Walbro HP fuel pump, reman Jasper trans, new front suspension

Autozone. The stock the energy suspension endlink kits.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers