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Strurt replacement

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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 06:15 AM
  #1  
marcus88's Avatar
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From: Georgia
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Automatics
Strurt replacement

I had the front struts on my 87 GTA replaced yesterday with monroe gas charged struts, part #81728 yesterday & now the car sits about 3~4 inches higher. I drove the car about 3 miles, is this normal and will the car eventually settle back down. If this makes a difference the spring has been cut (1 loop)
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 06:36 AM
  #2  
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Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Strurt replacement

If the springs were cut and replaced at the same time as the strut replacement, were the springs indexed correctly?

JamesC
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 07:20 AM
  #3  
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Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Re: Strurt replacement

Yes. I watched the guy during replacement
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 08:40 AM
  #4  
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Car: 87 GTA
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Re: Strurt replacement

Is there anything that could be in the stut tower/brace that needs to be removed? We are replacing the OEM struts
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 09:29 AM
  #5  
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Strurt replacement

Originally Posted by marcus88
Is there anything that could be in the stut tower/brace that needs to be removed? We are replacing the OEM struts
If the new struts are designed for a thirdgen, the swap should be direct: one set out, one set in. The ride height should not be affected. I'd recheck the springs and their installation. For example, did you reuse the spring isolators or throw in something new? Did the springs seat up in the pocket correctly? Is that 3 or 4 inches or 3/4?

JamesC

Last edited by JamesC; Aug 14, 2009 at 09:49 AM.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 09:31 AM
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Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 408 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Strurt replacement

so the springs that you had previously installed in the car, were removed and cut during the strut change, and now the car is 3-4" higher?

that doesnt seem possible. Even if the springs were indexed 180 degrees off, it wouldnt raise that much. and the struts have nothing to do with the height of the car, they dont hold weight.

Do you have any current pics of the car? maybe a before and after? Are you sure its higher by 3-4 inches? thats a lot.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 10:30 AM
  #7  
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Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Re: Strurt replacement

1 inch drop. I will have them check the springs. I was trying to send pics but not sure how to. I some some before and after
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 05:55 PM
  #8  
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Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Re: Strurt replacement

Here are the pics before and after
Attached Thumbnails Strurt replacement-gta1.jpg   Strurt replacement-gta-001.jpg   Strurt replacement-gta-002.jpg  
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 06:59 PM
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Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Strurt replacement

not quite 4" higher, but yes, its higher.

you are absolutely sure they springs were indexed correctly?

How much have you driven the car since the work was done?
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 07:22 PM
  #10  
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From: Georgia
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Automatics
Re: Strurt replacement

I drove it about 70 miles today. I am about to go back by the shop to see what the guys came up with
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 08:13 PM
  #11  
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Car: 1985 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 305
Transmission: T-5
Re: Strurt replacement

springs got to be in wrong If all you did is change the struts.
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 07:10 AM
  #12  
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From: Georgia
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Automatics
Re: Strurt replacement

Thanks for everybody's input. It was the springs!!
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Old Aug 20, 2009 | 03:21 AM
  #13  
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Re: Strurt replacement

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