Suspension Install ~pics~

**SexOnWheels** · 04-10-2006, 12:35 PM

I just wanted to post up the results of my suspension install I completed last week on a week of holidays from work. The after thoughts on the install is that it is allot of work and can be extremely frustrating at times. All the old undercarriage bolts were a real pain to remove even soaked for days with PB blaster. I have installed many parts on a 4th generation F-body and up until now long tube headers were the biggest PITA.

I know that this should be posted in the suspension forum but it is usually pretty quiet in there so I thought I would get more comments here in the AAG.

First impressions of the new set-up: Night and day difference, blah, blah, blah. but something I really want to add is I am very happy with the rod ends. I have read that they are too harsh but I am now a big fan and would say that a better word to describe them are stiff.

Now I am ready to replace the poly LCA and PH to rod ends that I purchased years ago when I was uninformed.

Now on to the pictures;

First one is a completed front without the wheel. Special thanks to Sam/Arlyn from Strano Performance Parts for the great service on the Koni SA’s.

Second on is a close up of the lower A-arm connected using the rod-ends. Special thanks to Ryan/Marlena from UMI Performance Inc for the adjustable TA and the top notch job on the bushings the tolerance was perfect.

Rear ready to go in;

Rear installed;

Comments, observations, suggestions welcome!

**third_shift|studios** · 04-10-2006, 12:51 PM

fucking amazing! where's the write up hoss? what'd you use/how much did it cost/where were the snags/what kinda drop? Oh, and i disagree with the suspension-section comment...that's always hoppin

You really should show it off in there and do a long-winded write up sometime. that way, ingorant fucks like me will stop asking the obvious, "what do i need to do"

nice job, duder

**Trouble maker** · 04-10-2006, 05:24 PM

Excellent Job...!!

**SexOnWheels** · 04-11-2006, 12:01 PM

TYVM for the compliments.

You are right dip I should create one while it is still fresh in my mind. I had a hard time finding any write-ups online so there is a need for one.

The reason I made the comment on the suspension forum is that you were the only one who replied to a thread I created in there.

**third_shift|studios** · 04-11-2006, 12:08 PM

guess i wasn't good enough for yeh?

looking forward to the write up. i'm at a huge loss b/c i was going to use my [non-existant] tax return to upgrade the batmobile's suspension....guess what. I didn't get any money this year

So i'm envious.

**Spaz** · 04-11-2006, 02:59 PM

fuggin sweet... must... have... new... suspension... on... fire... birrrrrdaaahh........

**SexOnWheels** · 04-18-2006, 01:49 PM

Ok I asked a mod (Jeep41) to move this thread here to see if I can get some exposure in this forum.

@dip - Still workin' of the write-up c/w more pictures...

**BIG D's SS** · 04-18-2006, 01:53 PM

Way to go man. Looks clean.

**colby72olds** · 04-20-2006, 04:20 PM

nice!

**GatorSS** · 04-21-2006, 09:35 PM

Nice job! ...looking forward to reading the write-up.

**Mad-Max** · 04-22-2006, 05:02 AM

Looks good man ...hope to see a write up soon.

**vikingramair** · 04-23-2006, 10:54 AM

Damn you are a copycat

**SexOnWheels** · 04-24-2006, 06:51 AM

Nice pics Vike!

What is with the line zip tied on the Lower A-arm?

Is it your ABS sensor cable? If so why mount it like that?

Also how do you like the rod-ended PHB? Is it noisey/rough etc? Do you have rod end lowers on the back?

What springs did you use, I have never seen orange ones before, the coils look real tightly wound on the perch?

**vikingramair** · 04-24-2006, 07:35 AM

Did not have the time to fix it other way, this was so close to summertime and i was so horny to get my car out on the road.......

**DaLastLT1** · 04-25-2006, 02:31 PM

Can i ask whats the point of the adjustable upper and lower control arms??

I mean Can you actually adjust them on the car or do they have to be removed to do the adjustment?

**vikingramair** · 04-25-2006, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by SexOnWheels

Nice pics Vike!

What is with the line zip tied on the Lower A-arm?

Is it your ABS sensor cable? If so why mount it like that?

Also how do you like the rod-ended PHB? Is it noisey/rough etc? Do you have rod end lowers on the back?

What springs did you use, I have never seen orange ones before, the coils look real tightly wound on the perch?

Springs are actually color red ,from BMR progressive FRONT: 310-550 lbs/in,REAR: 145-170 lbs/in .
On the back there is relocation brackets , to adjust the LCA when you lowering the car

Both PHB and LCA are rod ended , I really like them.The noise is not annoying at all ,ok it is a increase from stock but so what. I am really pleased with the handling of my car it is a huge improvment from stock.
Car is so crispy and respons excellent.

DaLastLT1 : You cannot adjust them in place.In my case i installed them because get rid of the rubber bushings in the original A arms , yes you could buy new bushings and installed them in your existing arms but i dont have tools to remove/install bushings.

And now ,finally received from USA :Strano Bars +UMI SFC . Hope to impove the handling more with these parts.

**DaLastLT1** · 04-25-2006, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by vikingramair

DaLastLT1 : You cannot adjust them in place.In my case i installed them because get rid of the rubber bushings in the original A arms , yes you could buy new bushings and installed them in your existing arms but i dont have tools to remove/install bushings

Ok, i was just wondering.. Your setup looks sweet!! im researching the different type of options out there before i begin to order. Now do those ends make more noise then the poly ends?? Are they better then the poly non adjustable upper and lower arms?

**SexOnWheels** · 04-26-2006, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by DaLastLT1

Can i ask whats the point of the adjustable upper and lower control arms??

I mean Can you actually adjust them on the car or do they have to be removed to do the adjustment?

Vike is right you need to remove the rod ends from the slots in the A-arms to adjust them.

I adjusted mine to get more caster and camber than you would could get from non-adjustable versions. This is especially important when road racing and Autocrossing an F-body.

I will change them so I can get even more negative camber for next season.

@Vike I can't believe you never changed the bars or had SFC before the a-arms install. You will notice a huge difference with those new parts.

UMI was an excellent choice for SFC's which makes up for you buying springs from BMR which was not a good choice imo.

**DaLastLT1** · 04-26-2006, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by SexOnWheels

Vike is right you need to remove the rod ends from the slots in the A-arms to adjust them.

I adjusted mine to get more caster and camber than you would could get from non-adjustable versions. This is especially important when road racing and Autocrossing an F-body.

I will change them so I can get even more negative camber for next season.

@Vike I can't believe you never changed the bars or had SFC before the a-arms install. You will notice a huge difference with those new parts.

UMI was an excellent choice for SFC's which makes up for you buying springs from BMR which was not a good choice imo.

Ok excellent info, so with regular street driving and drag use i should just get the solid one's??

**SexOnWheels** · 04-26-2006, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by DaLastLT1

Ok excellent info, so with regular street driving and drag use i should just get the solid one's??

With a street car the stockers are fine. If you really do want to change them out you may want to look at 1LE A-arms as they have a firmer Derlim bushing which tightens up the soft/mushy (for me at least) rubber bushing feel of the stockers.