My front suspension on my 2000 Z24 is done.

I'm a newbie to to changing it and would rather not.

I will be buying all the necessary parts, but I was wondering if anyone local would be willing to help me change it.

Shops are just raping me on labour.

It would have to happen at your place since I live in Downtown Toronto and don't really have a place to do the work.

If someone is willing to do it, please let me know how much you'd like me to pay you.

I am willing to travel a couple hours out of toronto if someone can help me out.

Thanks

Billy

I'm game. How much are you offering? It's starting to get chilly out...

And what parts are you picking up to put on? Upgrades or just stock replacements?

Keep in mind that no matter who you get to help you, you'll need to pay for an alignment afterwards.

What are the shops quoting you?

Right now, the shop that I got a quote from is Active Green and Ross.

They mentionned it was only my strut mounts but I'm thinking it might be more than that, but who knows....certainly I don't.

I'm going to get a free quote this week from Midas and see what they say and buy accordingly.

I'll tell you my issue....I have no doubt my strut mounts are done for, but when I drive my car, I seem to feel every bump on the road while hearing a loud clunk/bump/bang sound when i go over holes/cracks/railroad tracks.

In your opinion...does it sound like anything more than my strut mounts?

I am willing to offer in the $100 range.

Let me know....where you located?

Billy

the clunking noise is due to the strut mounts. the mounts themselves arent very expnsive. a shop will rape you on labour for these I had mine done at midas and I dont recommend you go ge that done there. Broda

Have you ever changed anything before or is it all stock? Does it bounce when you go over bumps and stuff? When you say you feel every bump on the road... is this somehow different than normal?

I'll change your mounts for $100. No problem. Can always inspect the rest of it while I've got it jacked up.

I'm on the east side, near Birchmount/Ellesmere.

I've got a day open this weekend, though I'm not sure whether it's Saturday or Sunday at the moment.

Nah, it dosen't necessarily bounce which leads me to think that my struts are still good.

Everthing is stock....I bought it used about 3 years ago...while still under warranty and had to change the same mounts cuz they were completely shot to hell.
As far as I know, every thing is stock....however my front end is lowered so I'm not sure.

This weekend might work, but I have to see if I can get the mounts in time....I'd rather spend a bit more on good mounts since i''m saving some dough on labour.

any suggestions?

Billy

Your in good hands with Kevin doing the install and you might wanna check out Partsource for the mounts.....I just bought a pair for $130 taxes incl.

I don't wanna jack this post, but Kevin I'm getting some ground controls soon, I currently have koni's and lowering springs...can you help me remove the springs and mount on the coils?...sorry for jacking your thread man, I was going to post up who can help me and i saw this thread.

Maybe we can all get together and do a 2 for 1 special

No worries about the post.

Alright looks like i'll have my mounts by tomorrow...so this weekend would work.
No rush...I just appreciate the help.

I'm buying Arvin by Gabriel or Gabriel by Arvin.....should I stay away?

Billy

No problem, Vince. How soon? It's gonna start gettin' freakin' cold out soon! I'm curious as to how your interior's coming along.

Billy, I still haven't confirmed which day I've got free but I'll try to post an update later tonight.

um...hopefully in a few weeks?....2 perhaps?...I'm selling my seats very soon, then ill have the cash ready to buy the GC's. (I think it;s best to spend the extra cash and buy them new).
Interior is coming along i suppose, finding time right now is hard to come by however.

If I only had it right now, it's going to be WARM this weekend.

If you're ordering them new, make sure you get them made for the Konis and I highly recommend ordering taller springs with them. Check my registry for the spring sizes. Won't cost you a dime extra when you order them with the kit.

MY mechanic raped me on strut mounts.. 780 $ to have all 4 replaced, i also had them throw on my lowering springs and have an alignment done at the same time as well.... might as well if everything is comiing off....



My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"

Ok, Billy. I'm available on Sunday for this. Will you be able to come by around noon?

Sunday @ noon sounds good. Wont' miss too much football.

Quick question, I am buying my front mounts today...would it be a good idea to get new mounts for the rear as well, since i'm changing the fronts?

also,

email me your info to - bpclouatre@gmail.com
# & address.

Thanks

Billy

If they're not bad, then it will be a waste of money to replace them.

Generally, on a stock suspension, the rear mounts don't go bad. They can go to mush if you've got stiffer springs, but normally they're fine for the stock setup.

We can take a look while you're over. If you're concerned, you can pick up a new set and then just return them if we don't need them.

You mentioned earlier that your front is lowered. If everything is stock, what makes you think it's lowered?

About the only thing that would cause it to lower itself would be a damaged spring of some sort. Collapsed or broken. That would certainly make the ride pretty harsh, but really doesn't happen very often, certainly not on 5 year old cars.

Check your PM Billy, so we can make arrangements.

So how's the ride now, Billy? Bit of an improvement?

Incidentally, I'll give a recap here of what was wrong with Billy's front suspension.

This was a prime example of what happens when people cheap out and cut corners trying to lower their cars. To Billy's credit, he bought the car in this condition so it's not his fault. He just had to deal with the aftermath.

Whoever previously owned the car tried to lower it on the cheap. It had some silver-painted springs in the front that were about the same height as a set of Sportlines, mounted on stock struts.

You'll note above that Billy was complaining about the harsh ride and all sorts of noises. He didn't mention anything about it being bouncy, and said it wasn't when asked.

He thought it was lowered but wasn't sure. As soon as I saw the car, it was clear that it was lowered.

So here's what was going on. As anyone knows, the stock struts can't handle that sort of drop, so they were expected to be blown. They were.

So why wasn't it bouncing? Well in order to bounce, you need some sort of suspension travel. Bounce is caused when the springs rebound, without dampers to control the force, after being compressed. Well these springs were short enough to have very little travel to begin with and, on top of that, the previous owner had added some coil isolators, probably to cushion the constant bottoming out. These are basically a rubber spacer about an inch high put between two coils preventing the springs from compressing. This means that the car was riding very close to being effectively bottomed out at all times. Harsh, jarring ride, without much bounce.

Adding to the woes, when we took off the top mounts the bearing plates were completely destroyed. That's where most of the noises were likely coming from.

I'm looking forward to seeing Billy's response on how different the ride is now.

He's basically got an entire new front suspension. We put on a set of Monroe dampers, new mounts and stock springs. I expect it to be a world of difference.

And what did I learn out of this?

I've learned that I really need to get myself an impact wrench. Tightening up the top nuts with hand tools just plain sucks ass.

I'd like to start off by thanking Kevin and Bruce for helping me out.

You did a great job.

The ride is noticeably better and I even think noticeably is understatement. It is a much more enjoyable ride....not having to worry about your car falling apart over the slightest cracks or bump in the road.

When I purchased the car, I never expected it to ride like a Caddy, but I always knew it could feel better than it did.

Thanks again.

J-Body seriously rocks!


Billy

how much were those dampers, will they work wll with coilovers ?? and not for nothing guys but i guess my machanic likes me or something, but the last time i change all shocks, (struts and shock) and 2 front mounts, did a barke adjustment while it was up even topped off my fluids, for like $400

Did that price include all the parts? If so... then yeah, I'd say your mechanic likes you.

As for the dampers... if you want coilovers, go get some Konis. No OEM replacements will handle coilovers, nor will most aftermarket upgrades such as what KYB offers.

Sorry that included the mounts and install my rear strut brace

what are better front mounts tto use

What's wrong with the ones you've got now?