New Suspension Installed

[Grover4535]

Hello All,

I just completed the front end rebuild (upper/lower ball joints, all bushings, brakes and stainless brake lines all around), and installed AR blue springs and Koni yellows set on the least firm setting. I had the wheels powder coated an installed new Falken 185/60R14 tires on all four corners.

Initial measurements:
- Front right= 24 1/2"
-Front left= 24 1/2"
- Rear right= 25 1/2" (see photo of what a misaligned rear spring seat looks like)
-Rear left= 25 3/8"




The new measurements:
- Front right= 23 7/8"
-Front left= 24 "
- Rear right= 23 5/8"- new spring correctly seated
-Rear left= 23 5/8"







I am very happy with the outcome of the overall ride height, handling and especially the dampening factor with the new shocks. My wife actually likes driving the car .

I need to keep working on the cosmetic items, including cleaning the engine compartment.

Take care, Bob

[RRoller123]

Nice! Can you describe how the ride is different? I assume still somewhat stiff but handles the smaller bumps better? My car shakes like a paint mixer on even small bumps with stock springs and it drives me crazy.

[lglade]

I did my suspension last year (AR springs and Koni shocks all around), and it's infinitely better on small bumps! I used to go to great lengths to avoid manhole covers and the like, but not anymore. Those small bumps are noticeable--as you would expect them to feel like on a modern sports car--but they don't upset the car like they used to.

[Grover4535]

As Lloyd as responded, I completely agree with his assessment of the current ride quality. The new Koni shocks most likely have the greatest impact on ride quality. I removed gray KYB gas rear shocks, and some strange red off-brand front shocks (maybe Gabriel). Both were old and very stiff.

I have not had the front end aligned, but will have it done when I have some additional time and can find a decent shop who can handle the alignment. Nothing against the major chains, but with the shortage of well trained technicians, I would prefer to find an old-school shop with more hands-on experience.

Bob

[KevAndAndi]

Nice! Can you describe how the ride is different? I assume still somewhat stiff but handles the smaller bumps better? My car shakes like a paint mixer on even small bumps with stock springs and it drives me crazy.

+1

Gas shocks, rock-hard bushings, original springs - it's not good. I drive serpentine sometimes, avoiding rough spots in the road.

Grover, your "before" height measurements are exactly the same as mine, and I look forward to the day when they match your "after" measurements.

I have new control arms and trailing arms waiting to be installed, but I need to get new shocks and springs, too.

[ORFORD2004]

The only problem that I found on AR springs is that both ends are in the same plan when originals are 90 degrees on rear springs (did not install the front yet). The lower rubber have only one position because of the bump. So, if you install your springs seating on the top correctly, the bottom will be 90 degrees short to seat properly on the rubber. If you move the rubber like in your picture, you will have play under the rubber. Your only solution is to cut 3/4 of a turns top or bottom. I did not want to cut them, so i install them 90 degrees short on bottom.

[aevansgatech]

Grover, did you go with rubber or poly bushings?

Were there front end noises before?

I have a front end creaking/groan and am curious if the shocks or the bushings would be the more likely culprit

[Grover4535]

Hello Aevansgatech,

I had some front end noises, but I only have owned the car for about 2 weeks before I did the suspension work. I knew the front end was worn out, but it didn't seem overly noisy. The most serious noise I could find was turning the steering wheel full lock, a clunk was coming front the right hand steering rack (car is 85' w/ rack & pinion). The R/H internal bushing was completely missing. I was able to replace this bushing and installed outer tie rods at the same time. I used moly grease inside the rack and the clunk is now gone.

I rebuilt my control arms using rubber bushings and upper/ lower ball joints from AR. I would most likely order the complete arms next time simply to save some time.

For your noise, I would examine the following items:
- Upper and lower ball joints
- All the control arm bushings
- tie rod ends
- make sure the crossmember mounting hardware is fully tight. The nuts have been known to come loose.
- Shock bushings (lower where bolt goes through, and upper rubber parts that sits against the body) and mounting hardware, both upper and lower.
- Check that the spring is correctly seated in the lower seat. The upper part is very difficult to examine as it sits into the shock tower some.

I doubt if changing shocks and springs will solve your noise issue. I think you have some suspension components worn out from age, and are now speaking to you with their moans and creaks.

Bob

[Grover4535]

Hello Oxford,

I think I understand what you are saying. The lower rubber spring seat is fixed due to the 3 locating holes on the axle spring perch. While the upper AR spring end does not match up with the stock springs, I think the upper rubber mount (which contacts the body, and sits into the upper metal piece) will sit flat against the upper body spring mount. My thinking is then the upper and lower springs perches/ mounts are parallel to each other and does not necessitate cutting of the spring.



I could be wrong, but I have not had any issues with spring gaps or noises from the rear suspension. Here are what the AR front and rear springs look like compared against the removed stock springs:
REAR

FRONT

[ORFORD2004]

My upper rubber seat was jam but if you are able to rotate it 90 degrees, you should be fine.

[PhillySpider]

that's the setup I'm looking at doing this winter. I don't understand looking at the springs next to each other and hearing they'll drop the car from others 1-1.5" how your measuring only 1/2" on one end and 0 on the other???

[Grover4535]

Hello PhillySpider,

It seems like all the various vendors have there own spring suppliers. I cannot speak to who is better, or which one will drop it a specific amount. I know that this set up works for me (and my wife). Any lower and I would be concerned with the oil pan hitting. I've seen way to many oil pickups bust off inside the oil pan when this happens.

My car was supposively imported from Germany by a U.S. serviceman:


I am really not sure if the European 79-85 spiders were any lower then the USA versions. My car certainly did not sit like it, but with the rear spring not seated correctly in the upper tower perch, and gas shocks installed, it can really changes how it sits. Lastly, I did replace the mismatched 185/60R14 tire brands with a new set of Falkens the same size. The old tires were worn out, and this does impact how much tire sits under the fender lip. A large gap just doesn't look good.

Bob