rack question

[Jonn]

91 lumina 2.5 4 dr. 14" wheels
buying a rack and pinion
store says 2 options,
with/without softride suspension
question, how to know which? and does it matter really?

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Jonn

91 lumina 2.5 4 dr. 14" wheels
buying a rack and pinion
store says 2 options,
with/without softride suspension
question, how to know which? and does it matter really?

On the label (I don't remember what it's called) in the trunk, there are all the production codes (series of three character codes, usually on the inside of the deck lid, or under the spare cover) telling how that car was optioned out at the factory. From memory, I think that firm ride, sport suspension was FE2, but someone here will know. Probably one suspension got a standard rack, and the other got a variable ratio, quicker steering one. You could use either, but you'd loose your sport steering. Is this the LTZ? I'm sure it is the sport option.

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

On the label (I don't remember what it's called) in the trunk, there are all the production codes (series of three character codes, usually on the inside of the deck lid, or under the spare cover) telling how that car was optioned out at the factory. From memory, I think that firm ride, sport suspension was FE2, but someone here will know. Probably one suspension got a standard rack, and the other got a variable ratio, quicker steering one. You could use either, but you'd loose your sport steering. Is this the LTZ? I'm sure it is the sport option.

No, the LTZ is a Corsica. This is just standard Lumina 4 dr sedan.
They way they word it, soft ride with/wo is really impossible to know what is standard and what isnt, they should have called it standard/sport, least you know maybe if you had a standard car or a euro/LTZ/Z34 which it probably was.
According to Advance Auto Parts, it could only be "without" no reason given over phone. But then i trust Advance's knowlege very little.
I assumed either would work in the car, so i just ordered what they had/said should be it. I dont care for the heavy sport steering anyway.
I grew up in 60's-70's large/muscle cars i am spoiled to one finger steering.
Putting a new rack, new outer tie rods, new rear struts and boot kits on to pass Maryland inspection. Damn rack works fine, just seal leakage at steering column shaft

Hey man, wondering, are there different rear leafs under different Lumina's? would a Euro 2 dr 3.1 have a stiffer/softer rear leaf than mine? (mines 91, the Euro is 92) guess i could put 2 leafs under it LOL

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Jonn

No, the LTZ is a Corsica. This is just standard Lumina 4 dr sedan.
They way they word it, soft ride with/wo is really impossible to know what is standard and what isnt, they should have called it standard/sport, least you know maybe if you had a standard car or a euro/LTZ/Z34 which it probably was.
According to Advance Auto Parts, it could only be "without" no reason given over phone. But then i trust Advance's knowlege very little.
I assumed either would work in the car, so i just ordered what they had/said should be it. I dont care for the heavy sport steering anyway.
I grew up in 60's-70's large/muscle cars i am spoiled to one finger steering.
Putting a new rack, new outer tie rods, new rear struts and boot kits on to pass Maryland inspection. Damn rack works fine, just seal leakage at steering column shaft

Hey man, wondering, are there different rear leafs under different Lumina's? would a Euro 2 dr 3.1 have a stiffer/softer rear leaf than mine? (mines 91, the Euro is 92) guess i could put 2 leafs under it LOL

I missed that you were talking about your Lumina, not the other one.

Not sure about the spring. You could get coilovers to tighten up the handling....

[dwalmop]

Jeff's on the right track. FE1 and F40 are soft, FE2 and F41 are firm/handling, and FE3 and F42 are the sportiest, most firm handling suspension. Which one you have will be listed in alphabetical order with all the other RPO codes on that Service Parts Identification sticker in your trunk, which is sometimes on the spare tire cover under the carpet, and sometimes on the underside of the trunk lid. for more info, see http://www.w-body.com/rpo.html - this has everything you'll need to know about your vehicle.