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suspension?

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Old 09-10-2005, 07:38 PM
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I was wondering what i can do to upgrade my suspension. I am getting a little sick of the up and down hopping. lol. I imagine the grand prix struts and springs will not work correct?
Old 09-10-2005, 07:59 PM
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Grand Prix (W-body) struts and springs are completely different (strut/spring mounting and spring rates).
Not to mention even if they did fit they'd make for an even rougher ride. The Bonneville will have a much better ride than a W-body if both of their suspensions are in the same condition. Even the FE1 suspension on even the most base Bonneville should have a smoother ride than a GTP with the premium suspension, when new. The GP will handle better, but as for road trips and regular day-to-day commuting the Bonneville takes the cake.
I suggest getting some new struts and get some FE2 or F41 springs from a Bonneville/Olds 88 or 98/Buick Park Avenue in a salvage yard.
For a good review on struts lookup "struts comparison" with Willwren as the auther -he has a seperate page on his own website with some valueable info on struts, springs, and other suspension items.
Old 09-10-2005, 08:00 PM
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Get FE2 suspension from an SSEi at the wrecker for starters. New struts and Energy Suspension poly endlinks at the same time. You need all four springs, struts, and both swaybars.
Old 09-10-2005, 08:08 PM
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where can i buy them new?
Old 09-10-2005, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by TJ'sblackbonne
where can i buy them new?
The springs and swaybars? You're nutz!

Go to a wrecker. SSEi'* aren't easy to find, but they're out there.
Old 09-10-2005, 08:52 PM
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so i should buy new struts from like autozone and endlinks. And get the sway bars and springs off a wrecked ssei?
Old 09-10-2005, 08:56 PM
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You got it. You also need the intermediate (frame mounted) bushings and brackets from the donor car. It'* a big project.
Old 09-10-2005, 09:04 PM
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i was just thinking of putting in some really good shock/struts but dont know if that would help me out. i mean i have 124,000 so mine are definently wore out.
Old 09-10-2005, 11:50 PM
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Start with Monroe Sensatrak or Reflex struts. Go from there. But do your swaybar endlinks now too.

www.williamwren.com/struts/elc.html will give you a comparison and general price guide for rear shocks. Ignore the ELC talk on that page. You don't have it, but the rest applies.
Old 09-11-2005, 08:15 PM
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yeah, and the endlinks are cake to do.

about the only thing I'd recommend is having something on hand to cut through the old bolts if they can't be broken off... they get pretty rusty after a couple of years. once the old ones are off, it'* easy as pie to put the new ones on. and if the old links get along with you, it can easily be done in under 30 minutes. if they don't, it all depends on how long it takes to cut the old ones off.
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