replacing/upgrade AE101 suspension

moo^^ · Post by **moo^^** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:17 am

hi

My car has been making clunky noises from the rear, and recently its been stepping out in the wet.

I got a $17 full check from pedders, and it was all bad, so I have to replace my suspension, bushes, and engine mounts.

I've recently put new wheels/brakes on the car, so I want to lower it a little.

The car is 93 AE101 GTZ, with super-strut & 215's all round. both front and rear left tyres have worn HARD (the rear in the middle, and the front on the sides).. and i've only had them on 3 months.

The 215's are nearly touching the springs as it is.. I can't even get my finger over the top of the rubber and through the gap

I have been told I have to change the super-strut if I want it any lower, and that levins in general are hard to lower.

My questions

1) (most important question) What Shocks should I use ?

I dont want anything too expensive, but I do want good shocks that will last a while, and give a firm ride, for general street abuse.

Pedders recommended some no-name shocks which are apparently 20% firmer than standard.

2) What is the best way to lower the car ? What do I do with regard to the super-strut ?

3) What springs should I use ? I only want to lower the car 1-1.5cm's, the nose touches driveways as it is.

4) Any recommendations on suppliers or installers ?

I assume the bushes and engine mounts are straight forward.

Appologies if these questions have been posted before.

Any feedback much appreciated

C

Post by **Mr Revhead** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:33 am

the first thing you should do is email me your model and frame numbers

i can do you the best deals on genuine parts, TRD and aftermarket brands such as cobra, bilstein etc etc

it all depends on how low you want to go, the brands i can supply deal in everything from 20mm lower springs to full adjustable coil over shock set ups.

spring only kits start at around $370ish a set

ill pm you my ph number so we can discuss your needs

aesc · Post by **aesc** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 12:18 pm

My car has been making clunky noises from the rear

Thats no biggie, its only the sway bar bushes

The car is 93 AE101 GTZ, with super-strut & 215's all round. both front and rear left tyres have worn HARD (the rear in the middle, and the front on the sides).. and i've only had them on 3 months.

Thats a bit odd, sure you had the right pressures in the tyres? wearing in the middle in the back would suggest that the pressure was too high. have they worn both sides on the front? if so, its tyre pressure may have been too low

The 215's are nearly touching the springs as it is.. I can't even get my finger over the top of the rubber and through the gap

Thats normal, i have 215s all round on mine and have the same thing.

I have been told I have to change the super-strut if I want it any lower, and that levins in general are hard to lower.

Depends how much lower you want to go. If you only want 20mm, forget getting rid of SS, would be a total mish.

Mr Revhead will sort you out on the rest, hes good like that!

Cheers

Post by **Mr Revhead** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 12:58 pm

My car has been making clunky noises from the rear, and recently its been stepping out in the wet.

could be the control arm bushes.... that would explain the 'stepping out'

Loudtoy · Post by **Loudtoy** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 7:33 pm

Mr Revhead wrote:
My car has been making clunky noises from the rear, and recently its been stepping out in the wet.

could be the control arm bushes.... that would explain the 'stepping out'

Control arm bushes and or sway bar bushes would be my suggestions as well! Set of sway bar bushes, nolathane on mine cost me $75 which is probably a bit steep but i needed them then not later for a wof! Stopped the clunking instantly and stopped the random steeping out that it used to do occasionally before i changed them!
Wouldn't change the ss if i was you unless you want heaps of hassels and big bucks cos you need to change brakes as well i think??

Lanius · Post by **Lanius** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:23 am

You didn't tell me about your tyres wearing like that Craig ... I could have told you what aesc said :>

I'm gonna have to start thinking bout new tyres soon too ... 2nd gear spinning isn't any good for tyre life :oops:

And yer ... get the bushes and engine mounts sorted before anything else on that pedders check you got done. Nolathanes all round :wink:

aesc · Post by **aesc** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:21 am

Set of sway bar bushes, nolathane on mine cost me $75

Man that is steep. Just got my front sway bars done, pair of Nolathanes cost me $8!!

Adamal · Post by **Adamal** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:30 am

I got some nolathaine's for my sway bar, plus steel plate re-enforcing where they connect to the chassis.... For free!

moo^^ · Post by **moo^^** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 2:40 pm

I just got a quote for supply of Nolathane bushes, engine mounts, and install costs:

sway bar bushes front
sway bar bushes rear
lower arm bushes
castor bushes
mounting bushes

Including labour, $1200~ approx.. the guy said he'd have to check it out to quote properly.. could be + or - $200

Good deal ?

Anyone else do it cheaper ? :]

C

ronio73 · Post by **ronio73** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:34 pm

If you supply suspension arms ,I can make polyurthane bushes a lot cheaper than that.Installation is easy to do.
I have been making supra poly-urethane bushes for years for guys in Europe and the U.S.A
Ronnie

FLAWLES · Post by **FLAWLES** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:05 am

have you had you shocks out before???? reson being is that if you have the the bolts that connect the strut to the hub mite be a bit loose just run over everything titen everything up and go from there
it is always the stupid little things that makes you think that its going to be expensive i would look at this first before i do anything