Suspension Suggestions

JayWltrs

JayWltrs

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Background: Car likely sat for at least 10 years. Suspension and steering are a mess. Power steering pump cleaned up and works fine. All bushes expired. It’s a general loose mess. Much more steering play turning right vs left. Perfect rear stance, but due solely to dead shocks & springs—bounces like a Caddy on the railroad tracks.

Plan was to replace engine & rear mounts, order CN set-up, replace all bushings, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings to start, & then re-assess.

Are there other, better suggestions? Any new better technology to consider? Should I start elsewhere? I’ve read the shock mount horrrors & still processing what to do there.
 
Can't go wrong w/Bilsteins and CN springs.

Eventually, I'll install the BC Racing coilovers I bought.

Can always get the steering box rebuilt and of course, change out every suspension bushing and part that's worn out.
 
teahead said:
Can't go wrong w/Bilsteins and CN springs.

Eventually, I'll install the BC Racing coilovers I bought.
.
Click to expand...

What was the attraction of the BC coil overs? I’ll research, but I’m not familiar.



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I replaced everything and went with Hardy Beck suspension. He was the original west coast Alpina tuner and created the valving spec for Bilstein. Car is fantastic and no rubbing -not too stiff which can be a detriment to these fragile chassis’
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Finally getting around to closer inspection of the rear of the car. All sorts of surprises: Cleaning off undercoating on the shocks and they are Bilsteins. Right rear wheel seems to be an aftermarket. Right rear is about 1"+ higher than the left (measured from wheel to fender). Will remove wheels and compare first. A little unnerved about the height difference and hoping it is in the shocks/springs and not structural damage. No rear sway bar, which I read was common on 74. So, this project has assumed higher priority and more digging required.
 
Tire pressure checked and measured from wheel not tire. Hoping mine's just a broken shock, but couldn't identify on the ground.
 
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Does this look like shock fluid has escaped? Or does anyone see anything else telling in these pics? Top is left. Bottom 2 are right. (Yes muffler support is broken—waiting on part.).
 
I think the new coil over setups are worth waiting for. (First 3 sets are here but are reserved) I for one am sick of Bilstein heavy duty/sport setups where you feel every crack in the road.
I’m road testing the new units next month- be happy to report back.
 
Bilstein shocks do have fluid, they use the gas to reduce bubbles in the oil.

I have had a set of Bilstein on for 30 years. About 10 years ago I contacted the importer about rebuilding ones with a little leakage oil. They said this was normal.
 
sfdon said:
I think the new coil over setups are worth waiting for. (First 3 sets are here but are reserved) I for one am sick of Bilstein heavy duty/sport setups where you feel every crack in the road.
I’m road testing the new units next month- be happy to report back.
Click to expand...

That would be great! Who makes them?
 
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Ugh. I guess I need to start gently removing the elephant skin, because it seems irresponsible not to do the shock tower supports now. Those are long threads with lots of solutions, and I can’t weld. So perhaps just find a shop somewhere to knock it all out. I don’t see anything horrifying, other than the spider carcus.
 
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