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Old Dec 12, 2004 | 12:55 PM
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Question Why????

Hey ya'll,
The patrol unit is really starting to drive like a bear. Hunts all over the road even at normal (65-75) MPH while on the Interstate and seems to be really touchy whenever I hit even a small abnormality in the road.
I know the stock springs are weak and I have a set of replacements (stock...since I can't find any stock height-High perf. springs anywhere.) Shocks are also stock and now have 59K on them. I have a set of used decarbons but am deciding on breaking loose for the Bilsteins. I had an alignment done a few months back and they said it was right on.
Any ideas as to what may be up? Shocks ? Springs ? Alignment ? or could it be some type of upper lower ball joint deal ? Remember, I drive the heck out of the car and it just doesn't seem to be near as tight as it used to be. Ain't no fun goin 160 anymore and worrying about the Oh **** factor.
Any input welcome.
Thanks,
Kev
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Old Dec 12, 2004 | 07:15 PM
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What about your sway bars, have you checked the bushings and end links? If your springs are weak it seems like it's a good idea to drop in those replacements as well as the shocks. Good luck.

Al
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 01:11 AM
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Got the rears done tonight. The shocks were not bad to do...just a P.I.T.A. to get to the tops. Rear springs are great and are a major improvement. Need a spring compressor though to get the fronts done.
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 01:27 AM
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do you really have those mods done to a cop car?!
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 01:51 AM
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Ask around...I'm well known here. Or, the direct response...Yes.
There are also a few other touches that are not posted. Thunder Racing in LA. is responsible for most of the mods however, Lou at LG Motorsports, NX in Texas, David Clark @ Nitro Dave's in Waco and Kevin W. from TCI have also all worked on the project.
If you follow this site and check on the sponsors section you will likely find Thunder's link to the Southern Shootout. My 'police car' was there this year and is on the DVD.

Kev
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 10:01 AM
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thats really cool. i wish they would do that to the camaro highway patrol here in FL. but then i wouldnt be able to get away (not that i need to or anything)
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 10:30 AM
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Finding a good spring compressor can sometimes be hard to find, sometimes it's just better to remove the spring assembly's from the car and have a shop swap out the springs/shocks....maybe $30 for both.
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by DARK AGE 53
Finding a good spring compressor can sometimes be hard to find, sometimes it's just better to remove the spring assembly's from the car and have a shop swap out the springs/shocks....maybe $30 for both.
I agree - my spring compressor sucked, and scared the out of me . . .
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 12:31 PM
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Local shops around here charge one hour labor...usually between $60-80. Cheapest I ever had it done was $20.
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 12:58 PM
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Sears sells a steel compressor for about $30 that is rather stout. I'd take a look at that one (I own one).
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 02:09 PM
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Hey Kev once you do the patrol car you can come help me swap out springs on my TA
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Old Dec 20, 2004 | 09:37 PM
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Got it all done. Borrowed a stand up compresser from Drop Zone in Arlington. Took an hour to do one side, only 20 miutes to do the other. Learn as ya go ya know....lol
The diff in the ride is phenominal
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 07:26 AM
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Excellent. Glad you got it worked out. Did you do the Bilstien shocks?
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 07:07 PM
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Bilstien shocks on all 4 and 1LE springs in the front works well, no float feel as you experience with the stock suspension at 70mph. Stays planted well and feels right even up to top speed.
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