Page 5 of 5
Re: Soften Up the Ride
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:21 pm
by yargnits
That was easier than expected. Here’s was bushings look like with less than 30k on them.
Re: Soften Up the Ride
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 10:00 am
by CrashTestDummy
yargnits wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:02 pm
All the parts are in and I had just enough time last night to put the car on stands last night. It's time to start taking things apart.
Dummy, I got a pair of Whitelines that come with new bearings and a single washer. Whiteline's instructions say to re-use the existing top washer.
strut top diagram.PNG
Looking at all the parts diagrams online for 2011-2017 PPVs shows both the top and bottom washer are the same part number (90223654).
In October 2016 GM said here
https://gm.oemdtc.com/6697/front-strut- ... aprice-ppv that the top and bottom are now different part numbers and neither of them are the original part. They're actually the washers for the SS struts. 92273396 for the top washer and 92421239 for the bottom washer. Otherwise this may happen:
yikes.jpg
I'm inclined to buy the new top washers, but wonder if the bottom washer supplied by Whiteline is good to use. I plan on emailing them this question.
The Whiteline instructions also state that I must use new knuckle bolts, as the old ones are stretched, I can see the logic in that, but don't recall many mentioning that.
Ouch! I bet that was quite some rattle up front! If the Whiteline washer fits properly on the shoulder of the strut shaft, I see no reason not to use it. I'd probably replace the upper washer if the OEM one is rusted, which they tend to be. Otherwise, the metal molded into the upper strut bushing should take the load off the upper washer.
The strut-to-spindle bolts are torque-to-yield, so it may be a good idea to replace them. I don't understand TTY bolts, though. It seems like quite a waste to me. I did reuse the strut to spindle bolts on our '12, and have seen zero issues. The strut-to-spindle bolts on our 3rd Gen F-body and 86 SVO are not TTY, and I've experienced zero issues reusing those.
But for liability mitigation, get new bolts.
Re: Soften Up the Ride
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 7:57 pm
by yargnits
Finally done.
I took my time doing front then rear. I snapped a photo when I pulled the car out to reposition it in the garage. Having just the front done gave the car a small rake, which would be cool if I wanted to follow up with taller rear rims/tires.
Here it is with just the front lowered...
- 7ADA32C8-D925-4C8B-9BB7-91F869F6F63C.jpeg (114.7 KiB) Viewed 12842 times
Finished the rear after a business trip and rolled it out yesterday. The road bumps don’t hit as hard but it’s still very firm. For review, I have Eibach springs with the severe service Monroe dampeners on all 4 corners. I also put Whiteline front strut bushings. BTW, my old bearings came out perfect.
Here it is after the job was done...
- FA6A620F-9972-4156-92D9-EE5647BD0087.jpeg (259.72 KiB) Viewed 12842 times
The rear camber is visably off, but I want to drive it around for a couple weeks before getting an alignment to allow settling. Where do I go for a wheel alignment; a GM dealer, or someplace like Belle Tire? I have detailed alignment instructions from another forum, do I offer them up to the shop?
Re: Soften Up the Ride
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 8:52 pm
by kevink
I was cruising around on the trashed roads of Pennsylvania and realized that these rear tires softened up the ride of my 2011 9C3 just dandily.
Re: Soften Up the Ride
Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 9:36 am
by ig109
yargnits wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2019 7:57 pm
Finally done.
I took my time doing front then rear. I snapped a photo when I pulled the car out to reposition it in the garage. Having just the front done gave the car a small rake, which would be cool if I wanted to follow up with taller rear rims/tires....
...The rear camber is visably off, but I want to drive it around for a couple weeks before getting an alignment to allow settling. Where do I go for a wheel alignment; a GM dealer, or someplace like Belle Tire? I have detailed alignment instructions from another forum, do I offer them up to the shop?
I went to belle tire for an alignment and they did a great job. I need to get a set of aftermarket camber bolts for the car with the H&R springs.
Did you end up using G8 struts or what?
Re: Soften Up the Ride
Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:42 pm
by yargnits
I put in new Monroe Severe Service struts. The ride isn’t much different from the stock struts, but the handling seems better from being lower.