justatunedport305

iTrader: (9)

Hey all, I really need some assistance and I hope you guys can help. I've a 98 1LE Firebird and I want to restore the suspension back to stock. Right now, the thing is full of aftermarket suspension parts and I want to get them out of there (would even be willing to trade some of the aftermarket parts for the correct stock parts).

What I need to know is what are the correct:

front and rear springs?
upper control arms (just stock ones plus the 1LE bushings)?
transmission crossmember bushing?
Trailing arms (again, just stock, plus 1LE bushings)?

(part#s)?

Are there any other 1LE-specific suspension parts I've forgotten? It does still have the original Koni DAs on it.

I'd just love to get this thing back to stock and the searches I've done just make me more confused (like were the springs on these cars just WS6 springs or did they come with 1LE-specific springs)?

Any help you could provide would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

99FormulaM6r

iTrader: (2)

This is all AFAIK:

1) The springs are the 1LE springs, which are the same as most WS6/SS's got, I believe the rates are 360#/160#, but I don't remember exactly.
2) I think that's right. I think the only things that changed were the bushings.
3) No idea.
4) Like the front LCA's, I think it's just the bushings.

As for getting the parts....I don't know where to find the springs (other than FS/FT section), but the bushings you can order from Sam Strano, and if you call him he might be able to give you all the information about the car you need, as he's pretty knowledgeable on suspensions

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

If you get 1LE bushings and need upper control arms, let me know soon. I have a set that'll be heading to the recycler.

justatunedport305

iTrader: (9)

If these are the ones that came with my 1LE (and only the bushings are different) I would be interested in them.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

For the front lower control arms, you cannot purchase the correct rear 1LE bushing from GM OR the aftermarket (EG: Moog). They are a very different bushing.

The only way to purchase them is with a complete new control arm from GM.

52367658 left side 52367659 right side.

The front bushings look the same but may have a different durometer.

These lower control arms also have a different ball joint with a different than regular castle nut. It is a m14-2.0 and the GM number is 10254330.

Other than the bushings and ball joint, the arms are all the same. 93-94 arms had longer welds than later years.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Here's a wealth of info that will help you:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/3064677-post28.html

justatunedport305

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for the link to the part numbers. That will be a great help.

I'll have to check the front lower control arms - they look like the stock ones; however, the front upper control arms are tubular units, so I know I'll need to replace those. Are the bushings for the uppers available? And are the ball joints different for them, too?

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

No and yes. The 1LE bushings and ball joints are no longer available from GM. As far as I know, the aftermarket never offered any 1LE bushings or ball joints. GM may have offered them as separate components at one time but no longer.

I do find this odd as many more cars than would be imagined came with 1LE components. Like any "higher performance" package like Z28 and WS6 cars. You'd think the aftermarket would support them.

Just like the lowers, 1LE upper arms complete are still available from GM. 22156461 and 22156462.