JuggernautOfWar

Unless I am horribly mistaken my '82 project Camaro seems to be missing front struts (image). Am I just stupid or do I in fact need new struts?
What do you think of the KYB GR-2/Excel-G-Black Twin-tube Strut assembly? Thinking about getting that.

gt4373

Do You Have Another Pic That's Not So Close Up.

JuggernautOfWar

I do not have any other pictures at the moment, but when it stops raining I'll go out and take another.

My understanding is the struts are supposed to be attached where those two holes are and go up inside the coil-over springs (pictured). Please bear with me as this is my first project car and I'm learning as I go.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

I won't say you are stupid, but horribly mistaken if you are looking for struts in the center of your springs.

JuggernautOfWar

I'll provide a second of back story to this. I got a new exhaust system installed at a local shop. After all the work was done we were standing around talking and BSing about cars. We started talking about my suspension somehow. When we came to the front of the car the guy in the shop pointed out I'm missing my struts/shocks in my coil springs, which he said "explains why the car jumped up so much when you accelerated onto the ramp" and "why you must get some body roll in corners" which I do.

I was confused by this, because I definitely have struts as pictured (very dirty) here.

If nothing belongs in the space between my springs why are there two holes on the bottom as seen in this picture?

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

A frames have crossover compatibility with other vehicles that have SHOCKS. You definitely need struts though. That's not dirt, (not all of it anyhow)but the oil that has leaked from the strut. I would stay as far away from this "mechanic" as possible if he has no idea of the difference between the two.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

Yep, get another mechanic.

MrBrooks

That would be your strut in the second pic.........
the spring perch is most likely not used only on these cars and does accomodate a shock on a different car.........not uncommon for that type of part to be "universal" in an assembly plant........esspecialy on a brand new model........ie an '82 camaro.........first of a new generation and all.....

From the looks of it you most definately need new struts..............the KYB are good units if on a "tight dudget" . Most of the guys looking for GREAT performance go with KONI or Billsteine
for an upgrade on a daily driver the KYBs are fine.

JuggernautOfWar

The struts definitely need replacing so I will look at my options. The KYB system seems like a good upgrade for the money, though I realize they aren't high performance struts to go racing with. This project of mine is my fun daily driver so the KYB should do well enough.

Do you think the KYB are a worthwhile upgrade from the stock (leaking) struts?

To be fair this guy does not claim to be a mechanic at all. He does exhaust and only exhaust, so I guess I'd say he's more of a metalworker than anything.

You guys have helped me yet again. If you ever need any firearm or computer advice PM me!

gt4373

When You Replace Your Struts,Replace Your Stabilizer Bar End Links Also,They Are Dry Rotted.

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

That's an amazing amount of schmutz you have on everything!

JuggernautOfWar

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to order both the struts and the end links at the same time. Do you recommend getting these from Hawks Third Gen, carparts.com, or someplace else?

Haha yeah you're telling me! How do you recommend cleaning all this under here?

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

Being so low, it would be difficult to get a power washer under there. Putty knife, any kind of scraper to large amounts off. Follow with stiff brushes. Finally degreaser and rags.

JuggernautOfWar

So there isn't really any kind of universal undercarriage cleaner then? Was hoping to spray on some liquid or foam, let it sit a while, then wipe it all off.

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

You could try some easy off oven cleaner. I don't know what it will do to painted surfaces or rubber.

JuggernautOfWar

So correct me if I'm wrong here, but these are in fact shocks, not struts right? Struts as far as I know have springs on top of or around them, while shocks are just gas or fluid pistons basically. I keep reading these cars have struts, but mine certainly look like shocks to me. I must be missing something.

This video explains what I'm talking about.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

Our struts are part of the front suspension and take the place of the upper control arm. The suspension is called a modified McPherson strut suspension and they are also listed as struts when looking for parts, plus they are also much more expensive and specific to the Thirdgen FBody vs shocks that can sometimes interchange between vehicles.

This link may explain it better than I can.

http://books.google.com/books?id=ck4...ed=0CCsQ6AEwBA

rusty vango

put it up on stands,spray it all with engine degreaser and power wash it.itll work fine .plus its much easier to inspect/work on it when its clean