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| 1988 front suspension riding high (Page 1/2) |
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lightning_slow
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JUN 09, 08:58 PM
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IMSA GT
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JUN 09, 09:59 PM
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cartercarbaficionado
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JUN 09, 11:13 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by lightning_slow:
I've rebuild my front suspension with the Fiero Store poly bushing kit (sway bar bushings and end links, controls arms) and put in KYB Gas-a-just shocks part no. KG4513. Before I put the shocks on the car I did notice that they looked to be a bit longer and definitely stiffer than the stock ones. I've got the car back on the ground and the front looks to be riding pretty high. Its been a while since I've had the car together but I'm pretty sure this isn't the stock look.
Is it possible the car just needs to settle?
I've seen people talking about cutting a ring off of the springs but I would like to explore some other options before I go there.
The front.
Rear for reference.
How it looked in the air.
Any advise is greatly appreciated. |
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check the springs first and then take it on a bumpy road to settle it in. i do hope you also did the bushings final torque with the suspension loaded since ive noticed the poly bushings on 88s dont like to rotate very well until they get some mileage on them and they need a few hundred to feel good most of the time. might have just been my set but it looked similar until we retorqued with the suspension loaded and spring correctly in the pocket
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Patrick
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JUN 09, 11:18 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by lightning_slow:
I've rebuild my front suspension with the Fiero Store poly bushing kit (sway bar bushings and end links, controls arms)...
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I don't think it makes a difference with poly bushings, but with rubber control arm bushings, the weight of the car needs to be on the wheels before the the control arm bolts are tightened up (as opposed to having the wheels just hanging there).
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lightning_slow
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JUN 10, 05:42 AM
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Thanks for the replies all.
I have yet to torque the control arm bushings, I'll be doing that tomorrow. I'm still a few days away from getting the car on the road but when it is I'll drive some bumpy roads.
I'll be taking the car to the alignment shop on Friday. If I were to get the car aligned and then fixed the ride height after (by the car settling, cutting the springs, or something else) would that effect the wheel alignment?
Also, after installing poly bushing in the rear (sway bar mounts and end links, control arms) it looks like the rear wheels have a lot of toe in. I'm not sure if these pictures convey it very well.
I could be wrong but this looks like more than it should have. How much would I need to adjust it to get to the alignment shop without damaging my tyres?
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Riney
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JUN 10, 06:17 PM
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I have the same issue with my 1984 that i just rebuilt the entire front suspension on and my ride height looks similar to yours. I used rubber bushings and did get the springs clocked correctly. Part of my problem could be i added the 84 to 87 front upper spring pads from the Fiero store before I figured out the pads were not used on the 84 model and that the 85 to 87 cars have different lower control arms. I figured the pads may add a 1/4 of an inch but currently the front looks just like yours. I have not driven the car yet to see if it will settle because i need to pull the engine and fix a slight oil leak. I plan on replacing the upper and lower spring pads on the rear struts with replacements from the Fiero store as well, however they are currently out of the lower pads. I am hoping this will raise the rear of the car some to match the front.
I hate to have to pull the springs to remove the front spring pads but i do want the car to set level.
Does anyone have another suggestion for raising the rear suspension around 1/2 inch on the 1984?
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Riney
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JUN 10, 06:20 PM
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I wanted to upload images of my ride height as well
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pmbrunelle
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JUN 10, 06:21 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by lightning_slow:
I'll be taking the car to the alignment shop on Friday. If I were to get the car aligned and then fixed the ride height after (by the car settling, cutting the springs, or something else) would that effect the wheel alignment?
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In general with independent suspensions, toe and camber change with suspension movement, so the alignment needs to be set with the car at its normal ride height.
If you change the ride height after the alignment, then the alignment becomes no good.[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 06-10-2025).]
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Patrick
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JUN 10, 06:39 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Riney:
I have the same issue with my 1984 that i just rebuilt the entire front suspension on and my ride height looks similar to yours.
Does anyone have another suggestion for raising the rear suspension around 1/2 inch on the 1984?
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Raising the rear to better match the too-high front is not the way I'd go about this.
This is my '84 (with swapped aero trim) that I was autocrossing years ago (from This thread on cutting springs). That's the stance that looks best IMO.
When I got my '88 Formula, I lowered it in similar manner as I did with the '84 to achieve basically the same stance.[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-10-2025).]
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Riney
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JUN 10, 06:41 PM
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To set the rear toe use a tape measure and as high up as you can get on the front of the tires measure from one tread to the other then do the same on the back side of the tires.
Make sure you are measuring from the same tread grooves for both the front and back measurements. Get these measurements equal and you will be good to drive to the alignment shop. I think the 1988 has what they call a "Rear Toe Link" that goes from the knuckle to the rear cradle that you losen the clamps and turn the middle to adjust the toe.
The 84 to 87 have rear tie rods.
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