Yo, Richtazz...suspension question

[jeffcoslacker]

Could I (or you) find a complete parts list for what is different about an FE2 ?(that's the tight sport suspension, no?)

I've got the touring suspension, which I find to be quite taught with minimal body roll etc, but since it's getting on and I need to replace the struts and some bushings etc, I'd rather have the tighter ride with less deflection...

Otherwise, I'll just do it all with Energy Suspension bushings front and back, maybe some larger diameter stabilizer bars, if I can find them...KYB adjustable struts, etc...

[richtazz]

The basic difference is springs and stabilizer bar diameter. The struts are all the same, so no difference there.

[jeffcoslacker]

OK then...it'll get the larger bars if I can source them from a salvage car, polyurethane bushings, and some progressive springs and possibly some adjustable struts....sound good?

[Corndog Man]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

OK then...it'll get the larger bars if I can source them from a salvage car, polyurethane bushings, and some progressive springs and possibly some adjustable struts....sound good?

Is that's what is on the LTZ? I think I gave my daughter too good of a car. The more I read about this thing.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Corndog Man

Is that's what is on the LTZ? I think I gave my daughter too good of a car. The more I read about this thing.

No, just different spring rate and better body roll control, if Rich is right (and I'm sure he is...)

Some Progressive springs are a nice addition to any vehicle, give superior ride quality but tighten up handling, and the more substantial polyurethane bushings decrease deflection in control arms and stab bars, reducing collective slop and ponderous handling when the chassis is loaded up hard in a curve, etc...and some adjustable struts would be a nice addition, but could be overkill on a Lumina...I'll have to think for a while and decide if I can justify the cost.

The KYB adjustables were a damn fine addition to the Impala SS, though, I wouldn't have gone back to stock for anything (and the stock Bilsteins in the SS were nice units)

[richtazz]

That sounds good Jeff, just make sure you buy quality poly bushings. The cheapos will squeak and drive you nuts. KYB's are a nice strut, but I'm not sure if they make the adjustables for w-bodies. The KYB's are far better than the Monroe Sensa-craps and Gabriel units.

[jeffcoslacker]

You're right...they have the GR-2's but not the AGX's for it...sucks.

I woulda swore I saw a listing in Summit for AGX's for W's...

Probably all the White-Out I snorted that night....

[Kupop]

I have KYB GR2 struts on my '95 Lumina and enjoy them. I honestly don't recall the car's handling prior to the original blown struts so I can't compare too well but they are much better than the bouncing action on blown struts!

I just kept the original oem springs and I would imagine I have the softer ones.

[Corndog Man]

Originally Posted by Kupop

I have KYB GR2 struts on my '95 Lumina and enjoy them. I honestly don't recall the car's handling prior to the original blown struts so I can't compare too well but they are much better than the bouncing action on blown struts!

I just kept the original oem springs and I would imagine I have the softer ones.

I haven't changed out my struts on my 99. A ton of highway very easy driving. I have chaned out and completely rebuilt traditional recirculating ball systems on many chevys and even changed out struts and shocks on a 79 mustang. I have the tools air and all of that. Is this a difficult job to change them out? One thing I don't have is a spring compressor. Is that needed? Just curious and Iwill look at my manuals as well.

I have Bilstiens on my Avalanche. Do they make them for a 99 Lumina?

Thanks!

Corndog

[Kupop]

You will need a special tool for the front shocks. If you search I questioned about it prior to changing my struts. I rented it from AutoZone. They also have spring compressors that you can rent.

You pay the full price of the tools when you rent them at AutoZone and get all of the money back when you return them, or you can keep them and just never get your money back.

The install was easy. I installed coilovers on my MR2 prior to this but I didn't need to disassemble the struts to do so. It was just unbolt the old and bolt in the new so the Lumina was the first time to do that sort of stuff.

The fronts are almost as easy as they can get. Pop the hood and notice the metal plate over top of the struts. Remove that with the 3 nuts. Then with the tool provided in the kit you take the large nut off the top of the strut. The tool allows you to put a torq bit in the center of the shaft to prevent it from spinning. You might be able to just use an impact to get it off anyways.

Once that is off you can pry the large rubber bushing out, and the bumper. Now take the other part of the special tool and slide it down over the strut shaft and hook it onto the ring. Break that loose and unthread it. Now the shock will be loose and you simply lift it up out of the hole under the hood.

Remove any of the old oil that might of leaked and put the new shock in. Tighten the ring around it with the tool, put the bumper and bushing back in (may want to replace bushings) and then put the large nut on the shaft. Then cover it back up.

The rear will require the spring compressors. Jack the rear of the car up (entire rear, you don't any force on the sway bar) and place on jack stands. Remove the rear wheel and you will see two large bolts at the bottom of the strut. Remove those, these also attach the sway bar. The bolts are splined so you'll need to loosen the nut and then hit the bolt out. Now crawl inside the trunk and pop the rubber cap off the top of the strut opening and remove the 3 or 4 (I don't remember) nuts. Have someone hold the strut up when you do this. After those are removed you can remove the entire strut (it will come out). Then compress the spring and remove the large nut up top and lift the spring off the shock.

Get your new shock and put the spring on and align it properly. Then put the top bushing back on (may want to replace, mine clunks because I didn't) and bolt it back on. Then uncompress the spring and bolt it back in the car.

Done... I had some help but did all 4 on my car in about 3 hours. The fronts you'll be able to do yourself and will have done in no time.

This was a '95, but I doubt there would be any differences. Feel free to get a hold of me on AOL if you want to talk about it anymore; my screen name is Kup0p, with a zero.

[Corndog Man]

Originally Posted by Kupop

You will need a special tool for the front shocks. If you search I questioned about it prior to changing my struts. I rented it from AutoZone. They also have spring compressors that you can rent.

You pay the full price of the tools when you rent them at AutoZone and get all of the money back when you return them, or you can keep them and just never get your money back.

The install was easy. I installed coilovers on my MR2 prior to this but I didn't need to disassemble the struts to do so. It was just unbolt the old and bolt in the new so the Lumina was the first time to do that sort of stuff.

The fronts are almost as easy as they can get. Pop the hood and notice the metal plate over top of the struts. Remove that with the 3 nuts. Then with the tool provided in the kit you take the large nut off the top of the strut. The tool allows you to put a torq bit in the center of the shaft to prevent it from spinning. You might be able to just use an impact to get it off anyways.

Once that is off you can pry the large rubber bushing out, and the bumper. Now take the other part of the special tool and slide it down over the strut shaft and hook it onto the ring. Break that loose and unthread it. Now the shock will be loose and you simply lift it up out of the hole under the hood.

Remove any of the old oil that might of leaked and put the new shock in. Tighten the ring around it with the tool, put the bumper and bushing back in (may want to replace bushings) and then put the large nut on the shaft. Then cover it back up.

The rear will require the spring compressors. Jack the rear of the car up (entire rear, you don't any force on the sway bar) and place on jack stands. Remove the rear wheel and you will see two large bolts at the bottom of the strut. Remove those, these also attach the sway bar. The bolts are splined so you'll need to loosen the nut and then hit the bolt out. Now crawl inside the trunk and pop the rubber cap off the top of the strut opening and remove the 3 or 4 (I don't remember) nuts. Have someone hold the strut up when you do this. After those are removed you can remove the entire strut (it will come out). Then compress the spring and remove the large nut up top and lift the spring off the shock.

Get your new shock and put the spring on and align it properly. Then put the top bushing back on (may want to replace, mine clunks because I didn't) and bolt it back on. Then uncompress the spring and bolt it back in the car.

Done... I had some help but did all 4 on my car in about 3 hours. The fronts you'll be able to do yourself and will have done in no time.

This was a '95, but I doubt there would be any differences. Feel free to get a hold of me on AOL if you want to talk about it anymore; my screen name is Kup0p, with a zero.

I appreciate the how to on the shocks and struts. These boards have helped a ton on my Avalanche and Lumina. There is one super AC board that is on ACKits. I ended up buying all of my AC tools from them.

I will probably buy those tools for that job. It's dumb but I tend to collect the things. My friends say I have enough tools Ef a monkey.

Corndog