When I go over dips in the road my suspension likes to bottome out. Is that a sign of bad shocks? It also has some body roll in corners and stuff like that. If I do need to get new shocks, which ones should I get. I am not looking for racing shocks, just ones a little bit better than stock.
Also, is there struts in the front end? I don't know much about 3rd gen suspensions.

 

Yep, Struts in the front, shocks in the rear. KYB makes a good, inexpensive set. Sounds like your springs could be shot too.

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-Justin-
T-Top '86 5.0L LG4 700R4 WS6 Now Bilstein equipped!
T-Top '92 5.0L TBI 700R4
My '86 Firebird Homepage
The F-body Model Kit Pictoral Archive (updated 9/18/00)

There can be only one!!

 

Is there any way to tell if I need new shocks/struts/springs?

 

If you hit a bump, does the car kinda bounce up and down a few time before returning to level? If so, you need new shocks. Bottoming out usually means you need new springs or stiffer springs.

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-Justin-
T-Top '86 5.0L LG4 700R4 WS6 Now Bilstein equipped!
T-Top '92 5.0L TBI 700R4
My '86 Firebird Homepage
The F-body Model Kit Pictoral Archive (updated 9/18/00)

There can be only one!!

 

I like an easier method- how old are the struts/shocks on the car? Old? Original factory units? Replace them.

Of course Justin's method is the real way


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards