1997-1999 SSEI Suspension Question
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From: Milford, CT. USA
1997-1999 SSEI Suspension Question
I was curious if anyone had played with different GM spring packages in their SSEI. The reason I ask is, when I compared the spring options in my car to the GM Spring Chart I found that the front springs have 4 different codes shown for all Bonnevilles with 2 different part numbers. The chart shows the spring from lowest spring rate to highest spring rate. My code KJ would be the second highest.
The rear chart shows shows 5 part numbers again from lowest rate to highest rate, my code ZB is the second lowest.
I can kind of understand the rear spring rate being low due to the ELC which a stock Bonneville would not have.
Any Thoughts?
The rear chart shows shows 5 part numbers again from lowest rate to highest rate, my code ZB is the second lowest.
I can kind of understand the rear spring rate being low due to the ELC which a stock Bonneville would not have.
Any Thoughts?
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First are you playing with an SSEi?
There can be as many as 2-3 spring rates for the front or rear depending on what package the car originally came with...
For the 97-99 you either had FE1 ( Most SE'* and SLE'* ) and FE2 on the SSE and SSEI'*...
In earlier years GM used FE1, FE2 and F41... For Pontiac F41 was used without air assist.. The FE2 package had Air Assist.... Both the F41 and FE2 fell into the same category... Its really funky how they worked it out over the years..
As far as any changes... I actually replace my 30mm front sway bar with an 32mm from an F41 equipped car... I replaced the 18mm rear bar with a 21mm rear bar from an SSE... Botht he FE2 and F41 packages used the 32mm front and 21mm rear bars...
For the springs we ended up finding TRW Replacement springs that were made to the SSEi Specs... They are direct replacements for the FE2 and F41 suspensions..
I have a 95 Bonneville SE, With the FE2-F41 set up, and my added Manually adjustable rear air struts, the car has a good firm ride and a level ride height, the car now sits a tad lower than it did from the factory...
It was worth every penny to me..
Ask some more questions and we will see what we can answer
Let me add... Sandrock has a 1993 SSEi and a 1994 SSE.. The 93 SSEi rides firm and has great handling... But the SSE is much stiffer and handles amazing for a car its age.. We need to research his cars when we have a little more time, but I believe his 94 SSE got the stiffest setting possible..
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There can be as many as 2-3 spring rates for the front or rear depending on what package the car originally came with...
For the 97-99 you either had FE1 ( Most SE'* and SLE'* ) and FE2 on the SSE and SSEI'*...
In earlier years GM used FE1, FE2 and F41... For Pontiac F41 was used without air assist.. The FE2 package had Air Assist.... Both the F41 and FE2 fell into the same category... Its really funky how they worked it out over the years..
As far as any changes... I actually replace my 30mm front sway bar with an 32mm from an F41 equipped car... I replaced the 18mm rear bar with a 21mm rear bar from an SSE... Botht he FE2 and F41 packages used the 32mm front and 21mm rear bars...
For the springs we ended up finding TRW Replacement springs that were made to the SSEi Specs... They are direct replacements for the FE2 and F41 suspensions..
I have a 95 Bonneville SE, With the FE2-F41 set up, and my added Manually adjustable rear air struts, the car has a good firm ride and a level ride height, the car now sits a tad lower than it did from the factory...
It was worth every penny to me..
Ask some more questions and we will see what we can answer
Let me add... Sandrock has a 1993 SSEi and a 1994 SSE.. The 93 SSEi rides firm and has great handling... But the SSE is much stiffer and handles amazing for a car its age.. We need to research his cars when we have a little more time, but I believe his 94 SSE got the stiffest setting possible..
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Thread Starter
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Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 27
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From: Milford, CT. USA
1997-1999 SSEI Suspension Question
Thanks for the info. I do have a 1997 SSEI and I will be changing the rear stuts shortly and then moving to the front suspension. I believe that I will go up one rating on the rear springs and do the same with the front. I find it hard to believe that there are only 2 options for the front springs for all 1997 Bonnevilles and the SSEI uses the lesser spring.
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Doctor Bob, All I can tell you is GM did a lot of strange things..
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