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Date: 12-6-05 09:11
From: '02onthebrain 
Subject: Shocks, struts, springs, sways, what else?  
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Over the next couple months I am going to pick up new shocks, struts, springs, and sway bars to install in my new '02. I know I need to do the bushings as well, but I wanted to ask what else should I do while I am doing the job? Should I do the mounts as well?
I've decided on Billy HDs, ST springs, and ST sway bars, but I'm going back and forth on poly bushings vs. rubber bushings. I don't want the ride to be too harsh. A lot of sellers have the poly bushings as a kit, but I can't find a place that has a rubber bushing kit, just a la carte places.
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Date: 12-6-05 09:30
From: mike in Beavercreek, OH 
Subject: As long as you're in there...
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check your upper strut bearings--make sure the bearings are nice and smooth, and you might even re-grease 'em while they're out. If they're rough or rusty, replace 'em. And if the upper spacers are still in place, lose them too.
Also check ball joints at the bottom of the control arm. If loose, replace. And use the OEM bolts to hold the bottom of the strut together (the funny ones with safety wire holes in 'em)
As for bushings: for a street car, I'd use rubber suspension bushings and urethane sway bar (link and mount) bushings. That'll give you a not-too-harsh ride, but tighter control when the sway bars come into play.
cheers
mike
_________________
'69 Nevada sunroof--"Wolfgang"--bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-- "Ludwig"--mine since '78
'87 eta E30 coupe--"Johannes"
+ Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette)...
and Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite
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Date: 12-6-05 12:50
From: SteveJ in Dublin, CA
Subject: Re: Shocks, struts, springs, sways, what else?
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If you replace only those parts, you will know in an instant if you have a marginal front or rear control arm. When adding bigger bars and stiffer springs, the weak link of the suspension system will usually let itself be known. On my E30M3 it was most of the sway bar mounts pulling out requiring a bit of welding and reinforcement.
I would(and did on my car) replace ALL the rubber suspension parts with fresh, stock parts. Tie rods, center link, control arms, drag link bushings, upper strut bearings up front. Rear arm bushings, subframe bushings, diff & tranny mounts in the back. If you are going to have everything all disassembled, consider the wheel bearings front and rear. Once done, you can pretty much forget these parts for the next 10 years or so. YMMV
If your budget is limited, I would not sacrifice the more mundane parts. You could refresh everything, then do the upgrades in steps. A set of shocks, new springs, then the bars.
Having a car with a fresh suspension is a joy.
Freshen things up and then go enjoy it!
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