Im planning on getting new struts and shocks some time soon. Was going to lower also but may have been talked out of it and am still decideing. What else would should I do while Im down there in those areas??? What should I replace, inspect, or upgrade on the front end of the car???????

 

if'n you do lower it, replace the rubber spring pads when you have it apart.

Replace the tie rod sleeve adjusters with a good strong aftermarket set.

Idler arm

poly bushings (a-arm & sway bar)

'wonderbar'

 

Who sells the tie rod sleeve adjusters??

My car came with a wonder bar so that will save me a little money.

idler arm , dont know much about those, would a parts store one be all right???? Thanks

 

check out this link to Hotchkis.

Moog makes good stock replacement steering components and any auto parts store should care them

 

Edelbrock also make the tie rod sleeves.

 

Hey John, why you're in there, why not rebuild the front end if you haven't already? As already mentioned, replace the A-arm bushings, ball joints, tie rods, and sway bar bushings. If you have half of it apart, it's really not that far a stretch to do the rest of it.

Jegs carries Hotchkis adjustment sleeves for about $50, and like PF Flyer said, go with Moog parts for the tie rods and center link. A little more cash and time now means you won't have to tear it all apart later.

Energy Suspension should have all the rest of the bushings you will need. Let me know if you need a hand and I'll run up and help...just let it warm up a bit.

Later..

 

On my 83 there are bearings at the top of the stut towers. Change these all so. And do not forget to get a frint end alignment

 

here's my combo and I'm perfectly happy with it! I took my tired old '84 Trans Am's suspension and did away with it. I replaced it with: Eibach Pro-Kit 1.5" lower "progressive rate" spings,new front spring isolators from GM,PST polygraphite front end rebuild kit,KYB-GR-2 struts,strut mounts,and shocks,Hotchkis adjustable panhard rod and rear LCA's (non-adjust.) . I scraped the factory 15x7" firebird rims and went for the more desirable 16x8/16x8.25" 85-87 IROC rims w/245/50/16 Khumo Ecsta Z rated tires,I needed new rims because I broke one of the stock rims I also broke the axle.....so I upgarded to a 10bolt 3.73 auburn/richmond posi....it gets going just fine even with the 1.5 drop and no LCA brackets. not that I'll put those off for too long though,just need to find a good welder. the cool thing about it is,I did'nt use the most expensive of everything and I've got no complaints. handling is supurb! I've also replaced my "rag joint" steering coupler,power steering gear,pump & hoses,front wheel bearings. it's still the stock 2.5 turn ratio but that's not hard to fix,it's hard to be blue about such a thing when I've got the same cornering abilties as most of the newest stock T/As

make sure your car is squared up before you put your money into it,even though my car's a rat-box right now,it's one of the few thirdgens left with a square unibody. the total cost of all my parts was approx. $1200 ,not including 3.73,rims & tires (tires were $565 for all 4) labor cost.......busted knuckes,frustartion,foul language...$45 for alignment if you need install tips just email me.......have a automotive machine shop do the A-arm bushings!!