I was wondering if the suspension parts (shocks, struts, springs) were different depending on the factory tire size. I have a 85 Trans Am with 15 inch tires. The reason Im asking is that I want to raise the car an inch or 2. Im planning on bigger tires in the future and the suspension needs some help. When I checked on parts at Autozone they asked if I had 15 inch or 16 inch wheels. If they are the same does anyone have an idea for what heavy duty springs to use to raise the car an inch or 2.
Thx guys

 

Careful, just because a tire uses a 15 or 16 inch rim doesn't mean the tire is any taller or shorter. For instance, I have a set of 15 in wheels with performance tires on them, I also have a set of 17 inch/9.5 with z-rated goodyears, they are the same height.

 

I understand that, but the part numbers given at autozone are different for 15 inch and 16 inch. Thats for the stock replacement shocks/struts. The good air adjustable ones indicated the same part number for both applications. My tires right now are 235/60/15 that should be about the same size as the 215/70/15 that came stock. I guess if I get the expensive ones I can adjust them and it wont matter. Thx for the reply blacksheep bun not the info I was after.

 

The autozone computer is asking this because this for some reason is how it distinguishes if the car has a performance suspension. I am working there for the summer and bought some struts for my car and it didn't ask me at all. What are the spces of you car. I'll look it up tommorow at work and see what the difference is. The trick at autozone is getting some who knows the car.


post year, etc. front or rear

I don't know of a difference myself.

 

Car info is 1985 Trans Am originally LG4 now 350 from late 70s truck. Car has 15 inch tires and has a badge on the dash that says performance suspension. Neat-o The computer asked for 15 or 16 inch before all of that and it had parts for regular and performance suspension in both sizes with different part numbers I wonder if they mount differently or if they just raise the car to make room for the larger rims (i know that doesnt mean the diamater with tires on the rims is larger but most likely it would be). I need to replace the entire front suspension the car follows grooves in the road and its a pain in the a$$ in traffic. Maybe the guy at Autozone typed in the wrong stuff or hit the wrong button it may end up being the same part. If you find anything out let me know
Thx guys,
WesDog

Oh yeah this was for the Struts up front. Im gonna get all new springs/shocks/struts tie rod ends/ ball joints just about everything i can to improve the car wonder bar SFC's Now someone have a few thousand dollars laying around.

 

Ok here is the deal, the only parts that should be a different part number is the springs
15's w/ac FC556105
16's w/ac FC556625

THe 16's are more stiff, and there for will give a stiffer and higher ride.

All other parts are the same between the two. I would reccomend getting some edelbrock pro kit springs over the perfect circle ones though. You can get them through autozone, just need the part number which you can get off of their site (edibrock), but I think spohn and others are cheaper on the springs. He also carries a front end rebuild kit.

Don't quote me on the prices, they are prabably different in different areas and are subject to change.

Shocks Gas Ryder G56700 $28.99 ea
Bilstein Heavy duty s36-0201 $179.99 ea
Bilstein Sport Ride S36-0201 $179.99 ea

outer tie rod ES2226R $15.99 ea
inner tie rod Es2227l $25.99 ea
Adjusting sleeve ES2032S $6.99 both
Draglink DS1049 $57.73
Idler Arm FA1399 $29.99
Linkage total 178.67 before tax, not too bad and all carries a LLT warranty. But if you plan on raceing or, driving really hard I would reccomend spohn's.

Steering Gear 6561 $189.99 w/ core Or you can go for the correct IROCZ car and get a fast ratio box.

Help! rag joint/ steering joing, and ball joint I forgot to get the number but if you do a search you will find it. but the GM Truck one will work.its like 15 bucks or so.

Before I get fussed at, some reginal prices are different, but I hope this helps you out. And if you don't have one you will need a greese gun and some, I reccomend the synthetic lithum based grease, but each their own on that. All of these parts have grease fittings at the joints. The pitman arm doesn't have a joint in it so there is no reason to replace it.

Also order a bushing kit from spohn or energy suspension to make it ride really good.

Oh yea, and say in your post "good air adjustable ones" autozone only carries rear air shocks, and a few front's for older cars without a strut. So az may have looked up the wrond struts.

 

Awesome stuff Aviator.. Hopefully I will get started in the next couple of weeks collecting parts and when I get them all together Ill put them on the car. Looks like im gonna spend a nice little chunk of change but it will be worth it in the end. Now.... A new interior, some body work and all new exhaust... This car was ragged out when I got it but at least Im having fun working on it.

Thx again guys,
WesDog

 

no prob. rember all the pt #'s are for the front. I didn't look up anything for the rear.

And time to do it, LOL

I have a box of bushing, new carpet setting in my room waiting till I have a few days off work. I am also ordering SFC's, a wonder bar, next week. I have a weeks worth of work and only have 1 day off next week, LOL. When you start on your interior sound prof it with that peal n seal stuff from lowes, its alot cheaper than anything else. (its in the roofing section, and sometimes has to be ordered.) but everyone says it workes as good.