my struts are way too harsh...
11-05-2005, 11:38 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hinesville, GA
Posts: 1,192
my struts are way too harsh...
Is there a decently priced set of struts that are available that wont jar my teeth out all the time? I have some SLP '02 take-off struts and shocks that are new, but the roads around here make the ride harsh. I have prokit springs and C5 mag wheels. I'd hate to give up some handling though and I'm not looking to experiment. What do you guys use?
I'm tired of feeling EVERYTHING in the road. My buddies T/A doesn't do that at all...but he has a stock suspension.
I'm tired of feeling EVERYTHING in the road. My buddies T/A doesn't do that at all...but he has a stock suspension.
Last edited by dhirocz; 11-05-2005 at 11:42 AM.
11-05-2005, 08:09 PM
#2
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Missouri
Posts: 576
Re: my struts are way too harsh...
Talk to sam strano jr, stranoparts.com.
My guess is that the springs put you too low and you are running on the bump stops. Taller springs would allow you some suspension travel.
I just realized that you are talking stock Orange Decarbon shocks. Those are a bad idea even with the stock springs. You should throw them away and get at least HD bilistein.
Strano, will be able to give you some good advice. Bilstein are more compliant than Koni DA my ride is fine with Koni. But I have stock 1LE springs and stock ride height.
If you have the aluminum spacer under your rear bump stops, take it out, that will help.
Also check and make sure your rear bump stops are still there, they rot and fall off.
Lowering these cars helps but better sway bars might be more important.
Lousy roads dont mix well with lowered cars.
I realize that everybody wants to mess with springs, but shocks and sway bars should be first.
Once you have adjustable shocks so you can change settings the first thing you notice is a huge change in the handling and ride of the car. It is just crazy, log truck to caddy with the twist of a screw, or a sweep in my case.
Good Luck
Z28
My guess is that the springs put you too low and you are running on the bump stops. Taller springs would allow you some suspension travel.
I just realized that you are talking stock Orange Decarbon shocks. Those are a bad idea even with the stock springs. You should throw them away and get at least HD bilistein.
Strano, will be able to give you some good advice. Bilstein are more compliant than Koni DA my ride is fine with Koni. But I have stock 1LE springs and stock ride height.
If you have the aluminum spacer under your rear bump stops, take it out, that will help.
Also check and make sure your rear bump stops are still there, they rot and fall off.
Lowering these cars helps but better sway bars might be more important.
Lousy roads dont mix well with lowered cars.
I realize that everybody wants to mess with springs, but shocks and sway bars should be first.
Once you have adjustable shocks so you can change settings the first thing you notice is a huge change in the handling and ride of the car. It is just crazy, log truck to caddy with the twist of a screw, or a sweep in my case.
Good Luck
Z28
Last edited by Z28barnett; 11-05-2005 at 08:15 PM.
11-05-2005, 08:12 PM
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hinesville, GA
Posts: 1,192
Re: my struts are way too harsh...
I only have prokit springs, I wouldn't think that would be so low that I'm bottomed out. My rear bumpstops are gone though. Even while I'm just running down the road, I can feel everything, even how coarse the surface is. It's kinda rediculous.
11-05-2005, 08:37 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hinesville, GA
Posts: 1,192
Re: my struts are way too harsh...
Sounds like everyone here doesn't like the decarbons and they tend to like the bilstein HD's. I'm considering a set. This harsh ride quality has gotta go though.
11-06-2005, 10:07 AM
#6
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Missouri
Posts: 576
Re: my struts are way too harsh...
Get some new rear bump stops first.
Mine rotted off on my 95, shreds hanging loose, with stock springs.
Two bolts on each side, the white rubber ones are good.
Do a search on rear bump stops and check with a dealer or GMpartsdirect.com.
You have to have them so you might as well go ahead and replace them.
If that helps perhaps you can stop there.
Bilstein HD are good for stock springs, with your springs you may need revalved shocks.
If you want to do all of this once, need to talk to a pro like Strano Jr. Otherwise you may have to do all of this again. The front shocks (These cars do not have struts by the way) are difficult to change so you don't want to be doing this again anytime soon.
Z28
Mine rotted off on my 95, shreds hanging loose, with stock springs.
Two bolts on each side, the white rubber ones are good.
Do a search on rear bump stops and check with a dealer or GMpartsdirect.com.
You have to have them so you might as well go ahead and replace them.
If that helps perhaps you can stop there.
Bilstein HD are good for stock springs, with your springs you may need revalved shocks.
If you want to do all of this once, need to talk to a pro like Strano Jr. Otherwise you may have to do all of this again. The front shocks (These cars do not have struts by the way) are difficult to change so you don't want to be doing this again anytime soon.
Z28
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