My suspension evolution

Talk about modifications, or anything else associated with performance enhancements. Have a new idea for performance/reliability? Post it here. No idea is stupid! (please use Detailing and Appearance for cosmetic ideas)
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95naSTA
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95naSTA »

95_SEGoldbird wrote:Love your Car man. Any updates on the car since your last post? I'm planning on doing the DIY coilovers to my car as well. What length springs did you get for coil overs and where did you get the bearings for the springs? Also you just let the sleeve rest on the bottom of the shocks right? And did you leave the back shocks stock but just have the 3'' drop springs?
Thanks man. No suspension updates really. I've mainly been working on the engine bay.
The springs are 10" long.
These are bearings I used.
Yep, the sleeve just rests on the bottom.
And yes on the rear, It's still the 3" drop spring and Monro Matic Plus air assist struts.
Image
95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.
95_SEGoldbird
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95_SEGoldbird »

Where did you get the sleeves and springs? Did they come as a kit? or did you piece it together?
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95naSTA
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95naSTA »

I used this sleeve but had to have it bored out in two areas to make it fit over the GP AGX. Others have used this sleeve instead with success.

This is the coilover nut that goes with those sleeves.

There are 10" long, 2.5", 400 lb springs on the A1 Racing site but I chose these springs.

For the top mount, my solution was to take a stock 92-99 top mount and weld a 1/2-3/4" section of 2.5" OD pipe to the bottom to center the spring.
Weld inside the pipe to the top mount. Use a large plumbing pipe cutter, it'll pinch the top and bottom of the section making the bearing an interference fit until it gets to the base. Meaning.. if done correctly, you'll have to push the bearing on to the section but it shouldn't fall off, which is perfect. Lube the crap out of the bearings and clean/re-lube at least once a year. I run bearings up top as shown and also on the bottom of the spring.

Image

Also, reference the W-body/F-body pdf earlier in this thread for adapting the W strut shaft for working with the stock top mount.

And keep in mind that I was starting to have axle issues at this ride height before I raised the engine/trans:
Image
Image
95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.
95_SEGoldbird
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SE Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:41 pm
Year and Trim: 1995 SE
Location: Dickinson, NY

Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95_SEGoldbird »

95naSTA wrote:I used this sleeve but had to have it bored out in two areas to make it fit over the GP AGX. Others have used this sleeve instead with success.

This is the coilover nut that goes with those sleeves.

There are 10" long, 2.5", 400 lb springs on the A1 Racing site but I chose these springs.

For the top mount, my solution was to take a stock 92-99 top mount and weld a 1/2-3/4" section of 2.5" OD pipe to the bottom to center the spring.
Weld inside the pipe to the top mount. Use a large plumbing pipe cutter, it'll pinch the top and bottom of the section making the bearing an interference fit until it gets to the base. Meaning.. if done correctly, you'll have to push the bearing on to the section but it shouldn't fall off, which is perfect. Lube the crap out of the bearings and clean/re-lube at least once a year. I run bearings up top as shown and also on the bottom of the spring.

Image

Also, reference the W-body/F-body pdf earlier in this thread for adapting the W strut shaft for working with the stock top mount.

And keep in mind that I was starting to have axle issues at this ride height before I raised the engine/trans:
Image
Thank you! I have been over the pdf too. Just wanted to know where you got the stuff to do it. What damping setting do you run your agx's?
95_SEGoldbird
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95_SEGoldbird »

Do you need the 2000+ wheel bearings with the knuckle or will the stock bearings work on the new knuckles?
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95naSTA
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95naSTA »

You need to do the 00 bearing with the 00 knuckle. On the 92-99 the bearing gets bolted to and thread into the knuckle. On the 00+ the bolts through the knuckle and thread into the bearing.
Image
95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.
95_SEGoldbird
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Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:41 pm
Year and Trim: 1995 SE
Location: Dickinson, NY

Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95_SEGoldbird »

What sway bars are out there for an upgrade on our 95 h bodys?
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99BonnevilleSE
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 99BonnevilleSE »

95_SEGoldbird wrote:What sway bars are out there for an upgrade on our 95 h bodys?
I do believe you can get one of a Cadillac Deville. Not a 100% sure, but i think it's like 21mm and like liquid gold to us H-Body guys lol
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Fightin55
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by Fightin55 »

Hey guys I'm new too this and I really loved 95nas black 95 and wanted some ideas for mine I got a 93 And want to add some more goodies to mine and was wondering what was the coilovers on that car and the headlights I been wanting to replace the orginal ones please reply with ideas
Oldsman003
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by Oldsman003 »

so what I am gathering from this post is that the knuckles and struts from a post 2000 either lesabre, or bonneville will bolt up to the factory lower control arms of my 98 oldsmobile.
Am I correct??

just as long at i swap the strut tower bracket to be able bolt up into the strut tower.

Also how does the factory calipers on my Olds work ibolting to the late model knuckle, is it all the same?
1998 Oldsmobile LSS
3800 Series II N/A 360k
4T65E Stock 360k
2005 GXP

Rebuilt Northstar
4T80 144k
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95naSTA
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Re: My suspension evolution

Post by 95naSTA »

An 00+ H-Body front knuckle will work with your front ball joints on your stock LCAs. And obviously the 00+ front strut bolts up to that. I dont know if the 00+ spring top diameter or the strut shaft works with a 95-99 top mount. I know W-body springs and struts will work since that's what I used.

The difference in 92-99 and 00+ brakes is outlined in my how-to. They bolt up differently and aren't compatible. Various front brake options are available with the 00+ knuckle though.

And agian, this is front only.
Image
95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.
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