My rear springs/shocks are crapped out. What are my adjustable and/or air options?
08-17-2012, 12:25 AM
#1
My rear springs/shocks are crapped out. What are my adjustable and/or air options? I've known for a while my rear suspension sounded like crap especially when I would hit a bump too hard, or accelerate way too fast it would make a lot of noise. Well the other day I was walking back to my car, '98 Trans Am btw, and came walking from the passenger side and noticed my tire had a noticeable "rut" all the way around it. It seems like my car is bottoming out so bad or something when I hit bumps causing the rear tires to actually hit the wheel wells as paint is rubbed off and the ruts in the tires now!
Since I'm going to be replacing these parts. I want to have adjustable suspension (eventually front too, but focusing on rear now only due to budget and it being messed up now). I have many reasons, but basically I want to be able to adjust the height from a nice lowered look, to up high on the go? Is there a bolt in kit to do this? I can only seem to find stuff for trucks, and not exactly entirely sure what all I need to do so?...thanks in advance!
Since I'm going to be replacing these parts. I want to have adjustable suspension (eventually front too, but focusing on rear now only due to budget and it being messed up now). I have many reasons, but basically I want to be able to adjust the height from a nice lowered look, to up high on the go? Is there a bolt in kit to do this? I can only seem to find stuff for trucks, and not exactly entirely sure what all I need to do so?...thanks in advance!
08-21-2012, 05:23 PM
#6
TECH Senior Member
I've known for a while my rear suspension sounded like crap especially when I would hit a bump too hard, or accelerate way too fast it would make a lot of noise. Well the other day I was walking back to my car, '98 Trans Am btw, and came walking from the passenger side and noticed my tire had a noticeable "rut" all the way around it. It seems like my car is bottoming out so bad or something when I hit bumps causing the rear tires to actually hit the wheel wells as paint is rubbed off and the ruts in the tires now!
Since I'm going to be replacing these parts. I want to have adjustable suspension (eventually front too, but focusing on rear now only due to budget and it being messed up now). I have many reasons, but basically I want to be able to adjust the height from a nice lowered look, to up high on the go? Is there a bolt in kit to do this? I can only seem to find stuff for trucks, and not exactly entirely sure what all I need to do so?...thanks in advance!
Since I'm going to be replacing these parts. I want to have adjustable suspension (eventually front too, but focusing on rear now only due to budget and it being messed up now). I have many reasons, but basically I want to be able to adjust the height from a nice lowered look, to up high on the go? Is there a bolt in kit to do this? I can only seem to find stuff for trucks, and not exactly entirely sure what all I need to do so?...thanks in advance!
Did you check to see if you have any bumpstops in the rear?
As for the adjustable ride height, do you realize that anytime you adjust the height you will need to adjust the alignment as well? (especially the front, the rear you will just need an adjustable PHB to center the axle).
Another thing, what do you use the car for, and what type (if any) of racing/hard driving do you do? Do you care about ride quality?
08-21-2012, 05:42 PM
#7
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I have had Gabriel Hi-Jackers on my car since 2004. I run
them with zero pressure, with hose-mod stock springs and
-1" Hotchkiss springs up front. That's got an ideal height
and rake in my opinion. I used the Gabriels with air, on the
Hotchkiss rears, for a while, but stock+hose is a better fit
and a better ride.
I did not need to adjust my Panhard at -1" drop. Still dead
center.
them with zero pressure, with hose-mod stock springs and
-1" Hotchkiss springs up front. That's got an ideal height
and rake in my opinion. I used the Gabriels with air, on the
Hotchkiss rears, for a while, but stock+hose is a better fit
and a better ride.
I did not need to adjust my Panhard at -1" drop. Still dead
center.
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08-21-2012, 06:03 PM
#8
http://www.airliftcompany.com/
08-21-2012, 10:16 PM
#9
Wait, before you do anything what wheels/tires do you have?
Did you check to see if you have any bumpstops in the rear?
As for the adjustable ride height, do you realize that anytime you adjust the height you will need to adjust the alignment as well? (especially the front, the rear you will just need an adjustable PHB to center the axle).
Another thing, what do you use the car for, and what type (if any) of racing/hard driving do you do? Do you care about ride quality?
Did you check to see if you have any bumpstops in the rear?
As for the adjustable ride height, do you realize that anytime you adjust the height you will need to adjust the alignment as well? (especially the front, the rear you will just need an adjustable PHB to center the axle).
Another thing, what do you use the car for, and what type (if any) of racing/hard driving do you do? Do you care about ride quality?
How do the guys with air bag setups/etc methods that do it on the go at a whim get away with it? Or they apparently driving horribly aligned vehicles all the time?
I use the car mainly as a daily driver as it's my only car. I've taken it to the track once and want to race, but for right now it's main duties is daily driving to/from school, work, etc a lot. Yes I care about ride quality. I just want a way to adjust the height on the go for when I come up on things like steep driveways/etc. Plus it would be nice to have the vehicle sit at a higher height in say winter when I want it to clear snow better to not risk ripping ground effects/bumpers off since once again this is my daily driver.
I have had Gabriel Hi-Jackers on my car since 2004. I run
them with zero pressure, with hose-mod stock springs and
-1" Hotchkiss springs up front. That's got an ideal height
and rake in my opinion. I used the Gabriels with air, on the
Hotchkiss rears, for a while, but stock+hose is a better fit
and a better ride.
I did not need to adjust my Panhard at -1" drop. Still dead
center.
them with zero pressure, with hose-mod stock springs and
-1" Hotchkiss springs up front. That's got an ideal height
and rake in my opinion. I used the Gabriels with air, on the
Hotchkiss rears, for a while, but stock+hose is a better fit
and a better ride.
I did not need to adjust my Panhard at -1" drop. Still dead
center.
I had a similar problem. Air bags were a cheap, easy, and adjustable fix. About $60 with a lifetime warranty. I also called for warranty on my dad's 10 year old install in his front motor home springs and they shipped a new set right away, no questions asked. They sell direct.
http://www.airliftcompany.com/
http://www.airliftcompany.com/
08-22-2012, 10:45 AM
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Just a note - the original complaint is about noise. This
might just be the various bushings needing greased. I've
had to do it, everybody should eventually. I like to use
engine assembly lube which is graphite-loaded grease.
might just be the various bushings needing greased. I've
had to do it, everybody should eventually. I like to use
engine assembly lube which is graphite-loaded grease.
08-22-2012, 02:46 PM
#11
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So basically everyone is recommending he put in air bags that prevent much suspension travel or just raising the back end up, while accepting what he might have as a tire clearance issue?
I'm interested in all the questions JD AMG asked. You might have another solution that will allow you to keep your suspension travel
I'm interested in all the questions JD AMG asked. You might have another solution that will allow you to keep your suspension travel
08-22-2012, 06:40 PM
#12
TECH Senior Member
Your rear bumpstops will be mounted to your inner wheel wells, they are the yellow triangle in this pic:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachmen...r-img_4334.jpg
These prevent the axle from comming up too far and hitting something else (exhaust possibly).
Also you never answered what wheels/tires you have on the car? Are they stock? Are the tires oversized?
How do the guys with air bag setups/etc methods that do it on the go at a whim get away with it? Or they apparently driving horribly aligned vehicles all the time?
The guys with coilovers for racing get the car to the desired height, align it, and then leave it. If they decide to change the height again they just realign it.
I use the car mainly as a daily driver as it's my only car. I've taken it to the track once and want to race, but for right now it's main duties is daily driving to/from school, work, etc a lot. Yes I care about ride quality. I just want a way to adjust the height on the go for when I come up on things like steep driveways/etc. Plus it would be nice to have the vehicle sit at a higher height in say winter when I want it to clear snow better to not risk ripping ground effects/bumpers off since once again this is my daily driver.
As far as adjusting on the fly goes, you may want to look into what JasonWW has done:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-trans-am.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...cks-350-a.html
08-22-2012, 10:08 PM
#13
It could be, but don't go spending money you may not need to if the problem is really something else.
Your rear bumpstops will be mounted to your inner wheel wells, they are the yellow triangle in this pic:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachmen...r-img_4334.jpg
These prevent the axle from comming up too far and hitting something else (exhaust possibly).
Also you never answered what wheels/tires you have on the car? Are they stock? Are the tires oversized?
(If I understand what you are asking) I assume people have a set ride height they drive at (which they have their car aligned to) and then when parked (like at a car show) they just simply drop the car. Then raise it back up to that pre-set height to drive again. Either that or they are just driving around with bad alignments.
The guys with coilovers for racing get the car to the desired height, align it, and then leave it. If they decide to change the height again they just realign it.
I see. Im asking because there are many different setups out there that are all very different. An adjustable drag coilover (QA1, Afco, Strange etc) is not going to ride well, nor handle well but will help weight transfer and get you to launch well, while a sport/handling coilover (KW, race bilstien, [your choice of shock] with ground control adjustable sleeves) will leave you with amazing handling and great ride quality but not as great launching ability as a drag shock.
As far as adjusting on the fly goes, you may want to look into what JasonWW has done:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-trans-am.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...cks-350-a.html
Your rear bumpstops will be mounted to your inner wheel wells, they are the yellow triangle in this pic:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachmen...r-img_4334.jpg
These prevent the axle from comming up too far and hitting something else (exhaust possibly).
Also you never answered what wheels/tires you have on the car? Are they stock? Are the tires oversized?
(If I understand what you are asking) I assume people have a set ride height they drive at (which they have their car aligned to) and then when parked (like at a car show) they just simply drop the car. Then raise it back up to that pre-set height to drive again. Either that or they are just driving around with bad alignments.
The guys with coilovers for racing get the car to the desired height, align it, and then leave it. If they decide to change the height again they just realign it.
I see. Im asking because there are many different setups out there that are all very different. An adjustable drag coilover (QA1, Afco, Strange etc) is not going to ride well, nor handle well but will help weight transfer and get you to launch well, while a sport/handling coilover (KW, race bilstien, [your choice of shock] with ground control adjustable sleeves) will leave you with amazing handling and great ride quality but not as great launching ability as a drag shock.
As far as adjusting on the fly goes, you may want to look into what JasonWW has done:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-trans-am.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...cks-350-a.html
