I hope rebuilding the front end will make the car ride better. Right now, it feels like it is so loose and .... jingly all over the place. Could this be due to needing a front end rebuild? What parts would you all suggest, and how much could I expect to pay on labor? I have sfc's by the way.

 

If the parts are OE, they're 20+ years old. Replacement--to include struts and shocks--will no doubt improve your situation. As for specific parts, check the stickies at the top of the page. Replacement isn't difficult, so you might consider rolling your sleeves up.

JamesC

 

oh good - is that the reason why I feel like i'm driving a box full of metal parts?

 

Probably.

JamesC

 

Well, there is kind of a difference between ride quality and handling. These cars are NOT cushy rides. They ride hard. And, even stock, these cars are VERY tight. The GTA and IROC especially. Now, if your shocks/struts are shot, and the springs are flat, yes, you are going to have ride quality AND handling problems. So, if you feel like you are driving a bucket of bolts, time to start checking parts. START WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS if nothings been replaced! Having one of THOSE let go will ruin your whole day! Get bushings, and shocks done. Check tie-rod ends, a-arms, and so forth for wear or damage. DONT even bother with an alignment until you replace all the worn out parts, but get one done IMMEDIATELY after. Tires can cause wandering issues too, bad wear patterns, separated belts, etc. Depending on your facilities and ability, might not be a bad idea to take it too a local shop, have 'em get it up on a rack and do an inspection. THen decide what you want to do with it. I'm in colorado, where there are 2 seasons, road construction and winter. So i SPECIFICALLY built my suspension to handle the potholes, grooved pavement, rocks, gravel, speed bumps, and everything else this place can dish out. I prefer to keep my teeth and tailbone intact over race-quality handling. I see you are in Houston, so thats not as much a consideration for you. But if you are going to drop the $2K or so that a TOTAL rebuild is going to run you, (depends on what parts you buy and how much you do yourself) you should decide what you want the car to do and how you want it to ride. The better it handles, generally, the harsher the ride quality. You can get parts to make them ride and handle anyway you want to now. So don't just pick some parts and throw it at the car. Know what you want it to do 1st.

 

whoa, $2k for a total front end rebuild? Holy cow - I thought this was like a $400 thing or something?

 

Not going overboad with Parts. Start with the Spohn front end kit and KYB stucts, should be less then $500 for parts ONLY. Went this route with very good results over a year ago.

 

gotcha ... how hard is it all to install? would this be the time to lower if needed as well?

 

installation is pretty easy for front end steering parts, but you will have to get an alignment done. I usually recommend pulling out the centerlink and tie rods all as one assembly; you can at least get close in adjustment to what the original setup was so you can drive reasonably straight.

if you're doing struts (don't forget new strut mounts too) and ball joints, that would be the time to ponder over lowering the car, as you'll have the control arms down.

i'm well under $2k with all new moog and kyb parts up front and even added some additional goodies (founder performance strut mounts, umi tie rod adjusters, 36mm sway bar, wonder bar).