*Long* Bilstein HD review and questions about how to improve daily driver comfort
#21
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Rear control arms won't be too bad. Just a bolt/nut combo on each end. May not be a terrible idea to look into an aftermarket set and just bolt them in rather than pressing the old bushings out of the factory arms. On the front your going to remove the arms (obviously) when you do that press the bushings out along with the lower ball joints. Front set will be a tedious job .
So far on my list:
Upper and Lower Ball Joints
1LE style Rear control arm bushings
panhard rod
front and rear sway bar bushings
front upper and lower control arm bushings
end links
T/A mount
Anyone recommend anything else?
#22
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Do you notice that the bumps don't seem so harsh when your t-tops are off? I notice that on mine, and it's because you can't hear the impact noise as well - the car actually rides the same, but seems smoother.
I've also noticed that some f-bodies have a loose, rattly, noisy feel about them whereas others feel tight and relatively quiet. I don't know that it's something that's identifiable and can be traced to specific components - some cars are just thrashers. That may be the real difference between your car and your buddy's.
I've also noticed that some f-bodies have a loose, rattly, noisy feel about them whereas others feel tight and relatively quiet. I don't know that it's something that's identifiable and can be traced to specific components - some cars are just thrashers. That may be the real difference between your car and your buddy's.
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Do you notice that the bumps don't seem so harsh when your t-tops are off? I notice that on mine, and it's because you can't hear the impact noise as well - the car actually rides the same, but seems smoother.
I've also noticed that some f-bodies have a loose, rattly, noisy feel about them whereas others feel tight and relatively quiet. I don't know that it's something that's identifiable and can be traced to specific components - some cars are just thrashers. That may be the real difference between your car and your buddy's.
I've also noticed that some f-bodies have a loose, rattly, noisy feel about them whereas others feel tight and relatively quiet. I don't know that it's something that's identifiable and can be traced to specific components - some cars are just thrashers. That may be the real difference between your car and your buddy's.
I really hope you are wrong about your second point, although that could be true. I'm thinking I'm going to replace all the bushings I mentioned above. If all the mounts/rubber to insulate the cabin from vibrations are completely fresh and the car STILL rattles and thrashes around, then I'll just set it on fire!
Just kidding. I have spoken to a few members on LS1tech that have replaced a lot of what I'm talking about and claimed their vehicle felt way more solid and insulated afterward. I'm hoping that is the case for mine as well. My car came from up north, so it's conceivable that those parts are just a little more degraded than usual from the exposure to the salt/weather. It's a super nice car otherwise.
#25
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Installing weld-on SFC's on my A4 car made it much worse. Bolt-ons on my M6 car made no difference. Go figure.
After the SFC install on the A4 car, I put Bilsteins on it and they made a huge improvement. Just my experience ...
#26
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Good write up. I feel the same way about my Bilsteins. I would say they're definitely worth it if you're riding around on 10+ year old stock DeCarbons. They're not going to ride like a Cadillac but they will help keep the car composed over big bumps and potholes. Cornering is also MUCH improved over stock.
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This is one downside to f-bodies. A lot of impact harshness is transmitted to the cabin instead of being damped out. There's a huge difference in this, for example, between my Formulas and my wife's G8.
Installing weld-on SFC's on my A4 car made it much worse. Bolt-ons on my M6 car made no difference. Go figure.
After the SFC install on the A4 car, I put Bilsteins on it and they made a huge improvement. Just my experience ...
Installing weld-on SFC's on my A4 car made it much worse. Bolt-ons on my M6 car made no difference. Go figure.
After the SFC install on the A4 car, I put Bilsteins on it and they made a huge improvement. Just my experience ...
I actually almost bought the SFC's for mine when I did the shocks, but decided to hold off until I could see what difference the shocks made. My friend with the Trans Am that feels like a Lexus compared to mine just ordered SFC's. I'm curious to see what difference that makes on his - for better or worse.
Good write up. I feel the same way about my Bilsteins. I would say they're definitely worth it if you're riding around on 10+ year old stock DeCarbons. They're not going to ride like a Cadillac but they will help keep the car composed over big bumps and potholes. Cornering is also MUCH improved over stock.
You're right - but I guess what I'm trying to find out is what makes them get that way over time? Is it just that things that used to be tight are now loose?Parts wearing out? Bushings that dampen vibration and sound wearing out? I refuse to believe that cars just "get that way" and then are unable to be fixed, at least to some extent. Hopefully I'm right and will figure out a way to make it feel newer.
#28
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You're right - but I guess what I'm trying to find out is what makes them get that way over time? Is it just that things that used to be tight are now loose?Parts wearing out? Bushings that dampen vibration and sound wearing out? I refuse to believe that cars just "get that way" and then are unable to be fixed, at least to some extent. Hopefully I'm right and will figure out a way to make it feel newer.
The difference in enhanced ride quality was amazing! The bushings had deteriorated, compressed and degraded with age not miles.
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It was the front-end bushings on my 34,000 mile 1994 Formula. The car had gotten that ratty, rough, poor ride. I went through the whole suspension last summer and changed all the bushings to Moog stock-style replacements when I changed over to LS1 brakes.
The difference in enhanced ride quality was amazing! The bushings had deteriorated, compressed and degraded with age not miles.
The difference in enhanced ride quality was amazing! The bushings had deteriorated, compressed and degraded with age not miles.
When you say the difference in enhanced ride quality was amazing, can you elaborate? Did you notice a big difference in how the car absorbed the little bumps and what have you on the road? What about shifting? Was anything smoother/different there? I appreciate any feedback you can provide.
#30
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The car was less rough riding. The action of the suspension was smoother over all road surfaces. The steering was tighter. The car felt more composed over bumps. The car had a lot less shudder over rough surfaces.
The aged bushings and ball joints just have a lot of slop(clearances) that add up unwanted suspension movement and ruin the ride of the car.
The aged bushings and ball joints just have a lot of slop(clearances) that add up unwanted suspension movement and ruin the ride of the car.
#31
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The car was less rough riding. The action of the suspension was smoother over all road surfaces. The steering was tighter. The car felt more composed over bumps. The car had a lot less shudder over rough surfaces.
The aged bushings and ball joints just have a lot of slop(clearances) that add up unwanted suspension movement and ruin the ride of the car.
The aged bushings and ball joints just have a lot of slop(clearances) that add up unwanted suspension movement and ruin the ride of the car.
#32
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I was surprised by the improvement. Having owned the car for the last 16 years I hadn't noticed the slow degradation in the ride quality. The bushing 'looked' new still when I removed them. I just replaced them and the ball joints because I was installing new spindles. I just figured might as well change everything out while I'm in there.
I'm sure glad I did.
I'm sure glad I did.
#33
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I was surprised by the improvement. Having owned the car for the last 16 years I hadn't noticed the slow degradation in the ride quality. The bushing 'looked' new still when I removed them. I just replaced them and the ball joints because I was installing new spindles. I just figured might as well change everything out while I'm in there.
I'm sure glad I did.
I'm sure glad I did.