Hi, My Bonnie's back is sagging down, and even I think due to that it does damage back tires from inside side. Alignment does not help anymore.

So my question would be:

Does anyone knows about any spacers, but not the ones that you put into the spring as that breaks the spring (from my experience), but spacers that you would put over spring or under spring.

If you could suggest solution where I could get that, not sure rubber ones, plastic, composite or metal, or any other solution that would be economical solution, I would greatly appreciate.

Thank you.

Larry

I would recommend against spacers -they will hinder handling and make driving hazardous in some conditions.
The best way to fix this (if not wanting to go new) would be to find a low mileage Bonneville, Lesabre, or 88 in the salvage yard and get the rear struts from it, but for the price difference ($50-65 per strut new from Napa, or $30 per strut used) I'd highly recommend new. Either way an alignment would be necessary.

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DHP Powrtuner & Tech 2
1998 GTP Coupe
1999 SSEi 70k miles
2000 Silverado 2500 Ext Cab 4x4/6.0L/4L80E
2000 Trans Am WS6 LQ3 (LQ4 w/LS3 top end) 4L60E
2001 SLE
2002 Monte Carlo SS Top-swapped FSIC Gen V TOG's, Mezeire.....
2002 GTP 40th Anniv Ed Coupe
2004 GTP Comp G 'Bottom-swapped'

do you have the ELC? (air assist struts) if so, the are most likely bad, and causing that sag.

Thanks for the feedback.

Struts by the way are new. What I think the springs are kinda tired, and old, but this is 97 and used springs would be the same.

Even after alignment I saw the rear wheels being kinda bent inside, so the tires would wear inside.

Have you heard of the spacers to make the total of the spring element longer? Logically thinking that would definitely work.

Thanks,
Larry

You need to look into a replacement set of springs

x2

A temporary band-aid could be an Air Lift 1000 kit but ultimately you're looking at needing suspension work.

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-Eric
"Energy and Persistence Conquer all Things" --Benjamin Franklin
-1989 Buick LeSabre T Type: 220k miles
-1987 Fiero GT: 224k miles
-2012 Honda Civic (boring, but its a good DD)

To replace the springs that is not most economical solution, and something I did not know before.

Anyway, thanks for suggestions.

Do you now if springs from GM vans would fit or if the vans springs wold be longer? so it would do the job?

Also any suggestions of what we could use to put under the spring in order to lift it?

What is that Air Lift 100kit, where could I refer to its specs? Web?

Thanks,
Larry

Google is your friend: http://www.airliftcompany.com/al1000.html

There have been a couple members to install these (myself included) and posted their results. A forum search would be your friend.

Honestly, I don't think there's much sense in trying to get old springs from other vehicles to fit/work. Just get the right parts and do it right the first time instead of trying to patch it together time and time again. Patches usually end up costing more in the long run than just fixing it right from the get-go (don't ask me how I know

Looks like they're about $55-60 for a set off RockAuto for a long term fix. The air lift kit is about $90 off several sites (ebay, Jegs, Summit, etc) and is only meant as a supplement.

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-Eric
"Energy and Persistence Conquer all Things" --Benjamin Franklin
-1989 Buick LeSabre T Type: 220k miles
-1987 Fiero GT: 224k miles
-2012 Honda Civic (boring, but its a good DD)

Mmmm...new springs...

If you've never replaced springs, you're in for a treat. The car will ride so much better you'll crap your drawers.

_________________
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

The New Springs may run you $70 and thats for both the right and left

As soon as I have replaced shocks and struts in the front and in the rear the vehicle is slightly higher and of course it hits les of teh bumps as it swings less due to new shocks and struts.

Also I have used AirLift system, that is not bad, but it stiffens the ride and just in case something goes wrong you are screwed. So better to replace strings and be certain.


Cheers,
Larry

I'm still a little confused about the saggy rear end problem. It looks like i blew my rear struts driving home overloaded from texas last week: the rear end is low and i can make it bounce by pushing down on the rear bumper. So if the rear end is sagging, why isn't the compressor trying to bring it back up? Once on the trip home i caught the compressor running, and i saw it raise the back end a bit. Also the compressor still runs on manual. So why isn't it trying harder? Will new struts cure my problem?

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1993 SSE Since 11-12-2000
2011 Camaro 2SS
2006 Silverado 3500 4x4

Its possible that you need new rear air struts.. But you may want to consider the TRW 1230 Lb variable rate springs as well..

I have installed Air Lift 1000, and it is pretty good.

Just you need to install it well, not like some bad mechanics do in the middle of the spring, that kills its all absorption.

It is good to install them at the lower part of the spring where they can support into the fork of the rear suspension.

However, next time, I would definitely opt for new springs, and suggest to do that to everyone.

Cheers,

Larry

Thanks for the update! Was it a Bonneville specific kit or a universal kit?

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WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights

That was universal that fit Bonneville.

Larry

get to NAPA and purchace some of their rear springs. they are variable rate and offer a higher spring rate than any of the stock options i believe. best part is that they run about 80-120 bucks per pair depending on what kinda price you get. i have them in my olds and they work great for towing and when i have 6 people in the car. the car also sits alot higher in the back. i can finally see the tops of my rear tires. best of all, install can be done with a few sockets and a floor jack

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1997 Olds 88

Performance Mod list:
Newer grand prix 17" wheels, Drilled and slotted front rotors, flowmaster dual outlet exhaust (mostly for looks), Custom intake and throttlebody heat shield.

Engine rebuilt .020 bored over, vette springs and retainers, ported LIM and exhaust manifolds, Intense S1X Cam and Intense custom PCM.

Transmission Rebuilt with shift kit, stall converter.

Other: two 12 inch kickers in the trunk w/ 1000 watt kenwood amp. Alpine head unit. Infinity kappa speakers with 700W pheonix gold amp

Thanks blazerk5drew,

Do you disconnect the break hose when removing and inserting the new spring.

Also is it important to install the spring with top up, or up side down, or is that the same?

Larry

just as a precaution i unbolted the clamp that holds the flexible brake hose and the abs wire on each side right before the rear tires. as far as which way to put the spring in, i was told two different things but the tighter coiled end of the spring fits down much easier than facing the body of the car. as far as physics go, probably all the same. these springs made such a huge difference in the load capacity and ride that the shocks in the back are now far too weak to keep the bouncing under control. i highly recommend replacing rear struts at the same time. i had kyb struts in my bonnie and they worked good....little better than any stockers of course.

Drew

_________________
1997 Olds 88

Performance Mod list:
Newer grand prix 17" wheels, Drilled and slotted front rotors, flowmaster dual outlet exhaust (mostly for looks), Custom intake and throttlebody heat shield.

Engine rebuilt .020 bored over, vette springs and retainers, ported LIM and exhaust manifolds, Intense S1X Cam and Intense custom PCM.

Transmission Rebuilt with shift kit, stall converter.

Other: two 12 inch kickers in the trunk w/ 1000 watt kenwood amp. Alpine head unit. Infinity kappa speakers with 700W pheonix gold amp