My car does a nose dive on braking, but I don't really notice much bounciness up front (more in the rear, actually). Does this mean I should replace my struts? Weak springs? Both?

btw, we can replace front struts on our cars w/o having to compress the springs, right? I haven't had the wheel off in a while and don't remember. That would make the strut replacement (if necessary) easier...

Thx for any replies. Sorry I don't know much about suspensions...

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Joel Geerling
Red 91 Formula, 305 TBI
Edelbrock 14x3 open element
TBI 1/2" spacer
Hypertech street chip
Crank/Alt Pulleys Exhaust is next!

 

Spring compressors are needed on the 4thgen cars, not ours. Strut replacement is relatively easily, give yourself a few hours to do it since the strut bolts are always ridiculously tight. If you don't have a Chilton's or Haynes, get one, it outlines the procedure for this.

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91 Trans Am WS6
Bright White
5.0 TPI auto
Flowmaster 3" 2 chamber catback
Trans Go shiftkit
2000 stall converter
ported TPI setup

Built on Wednesday

 

Don't forget the rear shocks. If they are worn the back end will come up too fast when you brake hard.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

 

Thx for the replies. I replaced the front struts tonight (no special performance ones or anything, just Gabriel from nearby AutoZone).

Glad I didn't have to compress the springs - you're right, it was pretty easy.

Car rides better (esp. over speedbumps, potholes) now, but still dives about the same on firm braking - maybe I'll give the rear shocks a crack next weekend... thanks for the advice!

Later,
JG