Orange Terror

Late last summer driving my Camaro I noticed it was starting to feel a little loose I guess on the corners and curves. I've taken it easy since then and so far this spring it still feels that way. When I take a mild curve on the highway or road the weight really shifts to the outside. I don't remember it being this way in the past. I don't feel comfortable going into a curve anymore and I should. The car feels like its leaning instead of staying tucked and low like it used to. I'm thinking maybe the struts/shocks are bad, anybody else have any ideas?

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

Tire pressure makes a big difference especially if you've
gone large / taller sidewalls. Try a couple more PSI and
see what that does, air is free (or at least, cheap).

Orange Terror

Yeah but would that make the car lean like that? I'm running 35 psi in the fronts and 30 in the backs. Stock wheels and tire sizes, 245/50-16.

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

Check your sway bar endlinks for wear or breakage. Shocks and swaybars work together to control body roll, so if one or the other starts to fail, you will feel a difference. Does it roll more turning one way or the other?


-Mike

Orange Terror

I don't think so. And my other thought on the shocks is it seems to be pretty bouncy in the front end just driving straight too. It appears to be a strut but I thought they were just a coil over shock on the front of these?

Gregg_98TA

iTrader: (5)

Where abouts are you located in Michigan? I'm in Livonia (metro Detroit) if you need a hand.

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

They're actually shocks, but they mount kinda like struts. If it's "floaty", that sounds like a shock problem. Hard to diagnose over the interweb, though.


-Mike

Orange Terror

I know, I was just looking for any ideas I could get. I really think that's what it is. So if I buy shocks I have to put the springs on the new ones then right?

Thanks, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately I'm in GR (Grand Rapids) so about 3 hours from you. If you get a chance, and are looking for a local fbody community come check out www.mifbody.com. Its all michigan people on it.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Shocks. All shocks.

Orange Terror

Alright. So I'm gonna get shocks later, anything special I need to change the fronts? Do I have to compress the springs?

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

Yes, you will need to compress the front springs.

Here is a write-up on how to swap them:
http://www.keliente.com/suspension.htm


-Mike

Foxxtron

iTrader: (1)

Here's one with pictures, however ignore the coil-over bit if you aren't installing ground controls.

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=6
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=8

for the rears, just look for the "square flaps" and cut them open to reach to top rear shock mounts. It's easier and much faster than the whole "folding back the whole carpet" bit.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Shocks won't (or shouldn't) limit body lean. They might slow it down, but not eliminate it.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

That's right. Shocks don't control how much the car rolls or pitches. But they do control the rate at which is happens. Slow the rate down, and the car is much more stable and easier to drive.

If you want to actually cut roll, that's the job of swaybars and springs (and a combination). But shocks should be done first, they are the biggest problem.

Gregg_98TA

iTrader: (5)

I have family in GR, but I am not planning on being in that area for a couple of weeks yet.

I agree with Sam on this though. It really sounds like shocks. If you decide to order instead of picking shocks up locally, I highly suggest Sam. He has a wealth of information and won't steer you wrong.

Orange Terror

Well, I don't have a lot of money to spend on shocks right now so I'm just picking up some Monroe's at Advance for now. Next year I might spend more and get a really good set. If so I will definetely give Sam a hollar.

When you come up Gregg, you should come out and meet the rest of us at our weekend cruise/hangout/meet.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

That's a mistake...... What would you be paying for the Monroe's? I also have Monroe, but would sooner see you on other things first. And even a set of Bilstein HD's are just under $350 for a set of 4, less for just rears. But that too would be a mistake.

And what are you saving? You might save some on shocks, but then you have to pay to have them done again, and pay for another set of shocks, again. I think you might be working under the impression can't get better for near the same price, and that's not true.