Thread: SomeDudes suspension thread (Struts and LCAs)

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  1. #1 SomeDudes suspension thread (Struts and LCAs) 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    Throughout this thread I'll be updating what parts I've added to my car and an overall grade for them. The grade will take into consideration quality, cost, and performance. I'll also mention how hard each part was for me to install but will leave that our of the grades since it will be different for every person/car.

    Not suspension related but a clip of my exhaust on youtube... http://youtu.be/HZ41q51beyY

    Sway bars (Doorman front, Addco rear)

    Overall the sway bars tightened the car up A LOT. Doorman bar is 33mm and the Addco is 22mm. I can't say what they did individually because I did both at the same time but I can now take corners around 30+ mph without being worried about going off the road. Now the weak link is the tires. They'll squeal taking corners fast and it even feels like the rears want to let go and slide a bit. Also if I just rock the car back and forth while driving it doesn't feel like I'm on a boat anymore. The just goes side to side without leaning much at all. Quality is top notch for both bars pretty much what you'd expect for solid pieces of iron(?). Cost wasn't bad at all compared to other bars available on the market. Rear is a little expensive but also the biggest available so worth it. With all that taken into consideration I'd give this all a 10 out of 10!

    I should also add in this part that I used Energy Suspension front endlinks and bushings for both bars. I used Moog endlinks for the rears. Over all very satisfied with the quality and performance of these. Don't skimp out make sure to get these with the bars.

    Fronts


    Front is hollow and cracked.


    Rears


    Rear endlinks. New one is Moog


    BMR Trailing arms

    So I've put the trailing arms on now but forgot to take comparison pictures so that kinda sucks. The BMR bars are very nice and very thick. Much thicker compared to the stuck ones which in all honesty plain suck. The quality on them is great. Welds are very nice plus they come with grease fittings and poly bushings installed already. Cost isn't bad at all. They are only $10 more than the ZZP bars and are definitely thicker. Can't say I've noticed a huge performance upgrade yet but haven't taken any on-ramps with them either which I've read is where they really shine. The rear of the car used to feel like it was dragging behind a bit during tight turns but the arms have helped stop that a ton. Installation was a real b!tch. Between the rust and just not having a lift it was a pain in the ass. I'd rate these a 7 out of 10.Solid upgrade, very cheap, but don't expect a huge difference.





    BMR STBs

    I've had the rear on for about 2-3 weeks now and the front for about a week. Installing the front is super easy but the rear difficult. It's not hard to do but there's not really an easy way to get to the third strut bolt so it takes time and patience. There's deinfitely a difference with these on but it's not huge. I can tell the car feels a little tighter but if I didn't drive it everyday to know how it typically feels and then put them on I probably wouldn't notice. I'd give them a 6 out of 10. They are very solid bars, great quality and do help the suspension. That said they're kinda pricey for how little they do. I WOULD buy them again though.






    KYB Excel-G struts w/ WBS lowering springs

    I love this combination so far. The struts are better and tighter than the stock ones and the lowering springs have lowered the car just enough. The is a bit rougher and i cringe going over potholes and bumps but I haven't scraped on driveways yet. I assembled everything myself (first time doing this) with all new parts. Except for the rust from Buffalo winters installation was a breeze. Followed the how-to's on the internet and it made it easy. The handling has improved greatly and the potholes don't seem nearly as bad. Plus the car looks so much better lowered. Here's some pics of the car before and after and the new vs old strut. Give these a 10 out of 10 for sure.

    Before


    After (about month and a half on the car)


    Struts


    ZZP Lower control arms

    After driving on them a bit I'm happy with the way cornering feels. There's no lag in the wheel at all, once I start turning the wheel it goes. The cornering has tightened up some but nothing crazy. I'd imagine the poly bushings is what has made the biggest difference but it's nice that they are lighter weight and are powdercoated. Overall I'd give these a 9 out of 10. They're damn near perfect but was hoping for a bit more handling improvment.

    Right out of the box


    Old Bushing


    Only picture I remembered to take



    Soon the front and rear lateral arms will be going on and they'll be reviewed next.
    Last edited by SomeDudeAtHome; 10-14-2014 at 03:59 PM.
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  2. #2 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
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    Awesome, I love suspension mods. That's almost all I've done.
    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT : Stock and slow and SOLD.
    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Special Edition
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  3. #3 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    Ya having a GT there's not really a point in engine mods so I figured I might as well make it ride the way I want it to. Can't wait to get more done to it.
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  4. #4 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
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    Hows the rear sway bar to exhaust clearance?

    I had issues with that Addco bar and my cheap maremont exhaust.
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  5. #5 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    I'm actually getting some banging when I go over bumps. Gonna have to figure out a way to tighten it up so they aren't hitting each other.
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  6. #6 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Are you doing the lateral and toe links as well?
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  7. #7 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    Eventually. Not quite sure what I'll be doing next when I get the money. It will either be the lateral arms or struts/springs. I will probably do the lateral arms first and wait until the struts need to be done since they're good right now. I figure the very last thing that will be done on my list are the control arms. Wasn't even sure I wanted to do them but when I saw the shape they were in doing the sway bar I've decided they need to be done eventually.
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  8. #8 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
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    Quote Originally Posted by SomeDudeAtHome View Post
    I'm actually getting some banging when I go over bumps. Gonna have to figure out a way to tighten it up so they aren't hitting each other.
    Hit the exhaust with a hammer.
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  9. #9 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    not quite sure what you mean by that
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  10. #10 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
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    If the exhaust is contacting the sway bar, create clearance by changing either the position of the tubing if its just clamped. But likely it's all seized in place. Leaving you with the little options, such as the method I just mentioned, or getting different exhaust.
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  11. #11 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    Gotcha. Guess i'll have to crawl under there tomorrow and see what's going on.
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  12. #12 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    Got a question for everyone. While driving the car squeaks. Sounds like a bird chirping. Now I greased all the bushings really well but i'm guessing I have to do them again? Do the poly endlinks need greasing too? Sounds like its coming from the front drivers side.
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  13. #13 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
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    Wrap the bar with teflon tape where its held by the bushing.
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  14. #14 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GXP Level Member 91parkave's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SomeDudeAtHome View Post
    Got a question for everyone. While driving the car squeaks. Sounds like a bird chirping. Now I greased all the bushings really well but i'm guessing I have to do them again? Do the poly endlinks need greasing too? Sounds like its coming from the front drivers side.
    just get some wd40 white lithium spray and spray whrlere the bar and bushing portion are try get all around the bar if possible
    06 GXP | 222/227 cam/cartuning turbo kit on 8psi/meth/e85 coilovers/ still on stock trans at 130k
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  15. #15 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GrandPrix Junkie The Guz's Avatar
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    They need to be greased to avoid the squeeking. You could buy some of this or find something else.

    Formula 5 Prelube | Energy Suspension Parts
    1999 GP GT 18" Boss 353 Concave|SLP CAI|Borla Cat Back|Plog|HV3|HV TB|ER Rockers|Custom Retrofit Projectors|GMPP Lowering|GMPP Handling|MPD F1|Full Diode Dynamic LEDs
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  16. #16 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
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    what about the springs and shocks?
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  17. #17 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    Springs and shocks should be ok. Squeaking right after changing the bars. I'll try the wd-40 since it doesn't involve removing anything. I have some grease I got at autozone that I put on origianlly. I'll apply more of that through the grease fittings and hopefully that will help too. The endlinks don't need to be greased though just the bushings right?
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  18. #18 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread 
    GXP Level Member 91parkave's Avatar
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    Remember its the wd40 that's white lithium spray not the regular can stuff...and yea I greased the bushings with the same grease..white lithium
    06 GXP | 222/227 cam/cartuning turbo kit on 8psi/meth/e85 coilovers/ still on stock trans at 130k
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  19. #19 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread (trailing arm update) 
    GTX Level Member SomeDudeAtHome's Avatar
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    Bump. I've added a review of the BMR trailing arms now that they're installed.
    Black 98 GT bought in summer of 2009 w/28K miles- GTX Rims, Retrofit headlights, tinted tails, 20% tint all around, KYB Excel-G's, WBS Lowering Springs, 33mm Dorman front sway bar, 22mm Addco rear sway bar, BMR trailing arms, BMR STBs front and rear, ZZP control arms, Poly motor mounts, ZZP CAI, Thrasher shift kit
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  20. #20 Re: SomeDudes suspension thread (trailing arm update) 
    GrandPrix Junkie The Guz's Avatar
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    Just an FYI the BMR's are so thick that a high offset wheel can rub on them. Keep an eye on them and if they are just get a spacer.
    1999 GP GT 18" Boss 353 Concave|SLP CAI|Borla Cat Back|Plog|HV3|HV TB|ER Rockers|Custom Retrofit Projectors|GMPP Lowering|GMPP Handling|MPD F1|Full Diode Dynamic LEDs
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