Cascade Crew

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject: Vibrations and sloppy steering,

So i'm looking for more ways to stiffen and tighten things up and get rid of some shakiness at higher speeds and was looking for some advice to help set priorities. what is the most "bang for my buck"

what i've done so far:
1. shocks
2. springs
3. swaybars front and back
4. swaybar bushings and endlinks
5. inner and outer tierod ends

What i would like to do in the future:
1. ball joints
2. subframe connectors
3. steering box
4. tranny bushing
5. front and rear control arm bushings
6. panhard bar bushing
7. steering rag joint
8. aluminum driveshaft
9. shock mounts
10. strut tower brace
?? other things i may be forgetting??

~JAKE

blue89 · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

Better lugnuts? Very Happy

I keed!

I've only done the urethane bushings on everything and boxed panhard bar. Those two things made the car 100% better. Everything else is fine tuning. Subframes are highly desireable. Ask Al how much of a difference they made. I feel like my ttop car was way more abused, almost like the chassis was a limp noodle. Maybe you have one of these too?

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

I ain't got a Limp noodle! Razz

its more the car creaks and shakes whenever i hit a bump. i guess i'm not sure what the creaking is and am just paranoid that my car is going to fall apart.

redlava · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

I would put the subframe connectors at the top of the list they made the biggest difference out of all the suspension stuff I have done.

Al Hasse · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

Are the sway bar bushings and end links polyurethane? They can squeak quite a bit over the bumps, mine do. You rode in it a little IIRC after I had the subframe connectors put on, although riding isn't the same as driving.

305 302eater · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject:

blue89 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:04 am Post subject:

If you can, see if the noise is coming inside or outside the car. Maybe drive along a large concrete wall and try running over something solid.

I would start with replacing all of the bushings under the car with urethane. Once you have confirmed that the underside is all buttoned down I would proceed with the interior. I'm guessing it is all interior panels though.

Al Hasse · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:11 am Post subject:

blue89 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:15 am Post subject:

Mine did that in the ttop car. drove me nuts. The windows were sloppy in the tracks though so I think it was just worn out. You know those up/down tracks that the lift mechanism slides in with the little wheels? Thats what was worn.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:35 am Post subject:

I would start with the ball joints.

But you say it vibrates? It may be a slightly bent wheel, bad tire, driveshaft, axle, etc.

blue89 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:54 am Post subject:

Have you had a set go bad? I think I've lucked out so far. Or maybe I haven't...

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:46 am Post subject:

On this car, they were shot when I got it. Much better after the headache of swapping them.