So, I went to a "Suspension Specialist"

[TWOJZ]

not mentioning names or anything, but I paid $14 to get a 28 point steering and suspension check...

apparently it included a drive on shock absorber test, and full steering/suspension inspection.

Well, they didn't do a drive on shock test, just decided the shocks were soft by driving the car (even though the shocks are rather hard)

they also told me ALL the bushes needed replacing, steering rack, springs and shocks, and pretty much everything else!

handed me a quote for $3200 at the end of the inspection.

the car had cost me $1000.

I asked the guy if I could replace the bushes myself, the reply was "NO"

I asked why not, and was told I needed a 20 tonne press.

so, I went out and bought a cheapo 12 tonne press ($129)


Now, the car was very strange on the road to drive, would sometimes bumpsteer, follow grooves in the road, get kinda floaty at higher speeds, so I figured replacing the bushes was a good start, especially seeing as they were all worn out.

so, thats what I did, I bought a full nolathane vehicle enhancement kit, for $310 or so, included pretty much all the bushes the car needed.

I started at the rear of the car, but gave up because it was getting too difficult, however, I did end up replacing the panhard rod bushes (WHICH WERE ALREADY GOOD CONDITION NOLATHANE, BUT THE SUSPENSION PLACE WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $30 TO REPLACE THEM ANYWAY!) and the swaybar link bushes, which were in perfectly acceptable condition (ONCE AGAIN, THE SUSPENSION PLACE WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $50 TO REPLACE THESE)

so, I made my way to the front of the car, removed the lower control arms, and whatever else, the bushes all looked pretty reasonable, but what would I know? I do electronics assembly for a living

so, I went about replacing all the bushes, took like 2 days, but I didn't mind, it was going to make my car drive like new! right? right!?!?

well, it was done, and the car now drives pretty much exactly the same as it did before...

none of the bushes were that badly worn (ok, realistically, by looking at the bushes, I'd say TWO were actually in need of replacing)

so, anyone considering getting a 28 point steering and suspension check, from an unnamed suspension place, perhaps don't bother?

thankyou for your time haha

[Cobez]

So you did all of that because a suspension place told you that all your bushes needed replacing?

Even electronics aseemblers should know even suspension places are out to make money and will tell you that you need things you actually DON'T need.

[TWOJZ]

So you did all of that because a suspension place told you that all your bushes needed replacing?

Even electronics aseemblers should know even suspension places are out to make money and will tell you that you need things you actually DON'T need.

yeah, I am aware of that.

I decided the shocks didn't need replacing, that the leaking power steering rack could be left, that the missing bumpstops didn't matter, that the leaking power steering hose could be left, that the front springs were fine, but that the bushes were probably worn... haha

edit: plus, I figured I'd start replacing a few things to make it handle better, I live in the hills now, handling is good haha

[Cobez]

Yep, those problems you mentioned are all common. Bloody Commonwhores.

[immortality]

the high speed "floaty" feeling is what standard commodore suspension feels like. some decent shocks and wheel alignment should sort it.

[TWOJZ]

the high speed "floaty" feeling is what standard commodore suspension feels like. some decent shocks and wheel alignment should sort it.

it was 120km/hr, down a hill, so it was kinda expected anyway... haha

[TWOJZ]

just went and got some kingsprings, lowered ones, and some new KYB lowered shocks for the rear (the front shocks SEEM ok, I may replace them at a later date)

why the f*ck am I spending this money on a commonwhore?

I suppose its not TOO much.

Bushes: $310
Springs: $240
Shocks: $110 (rear)

hmm, still think I should replace the top strut bearing plates... where's a good place to get these from?

thanks!

[DannyboyDS]

where did you get that press from? I want one.

[Scooter79]

Hey TWOJZ, can you please please please let me know how the car goes after changing the springs and shocks. I'm suffering the same problems as you where it's pretty floaty even at lower speeds and bumpsteers like you would not believe.

I had it to that 'francise' you speak of last year and had the front end rebushed. Made no difference at all. Had it back to them twice and they could'nt give me a reason for the problem others than I needed new tyres. We'll that was bull too.

12 months later and it's still a massive problem. I have a feeling new springs and shocks might help but would like your input after you do yours. Cheers.

[TWOJZ]

Hey TWOJZ, can you please please please let me know how the car goes after changing the springs and shocks. I'm suffering the same problems as you where it's pretty floaty even at lower speeds and bumpsteers like you would not believe.

I had it to that 'francise' you speak of last year and had the front end rebushed. Made no difference at all. Had it back to them twice and they could'nt give me a reason for the problem others than I needed new tyres. We'll that was bull too.

12 months later and it's still a massive problem. I have a feeling new springs and shocks might help but would like your input after you do yours. Cheers.

different car, but I'll let you know.

I think I've decided I should replace the front shocks as well, so now I have to find a set of them

how much would one normally expect to pay for a set of front shocks?

when at the suspension place, I asked the guy which things NEEDED doing, like, if they broke suddenly, would cause me to crash, or were most likely to fail.

he highlighted three things:

P1690 - Comm Frt Z Bar Bush
5843 Pedders Rubber Bush
5823 Pedders Rubber Bush

so, what are these parts exactly?

[TWOJZ]

where did you get that press from? I want one.

Paramount Browns.

It's kinda cheap and nasty, but it did the job I needed it for, and now I have a 12 tonne bottle jack, should I ever need one haha

Used Equipment Online at Paramount Browns - Powered by IHub Australia

dont know if the link will work.

[KiWi1]

I use the "so called" shop, for a rough idea, to whats wrong.

Plus its a cheap way, to have a look under your car while its on a hoist

Simon

[Farlig]

no bull, it depends on the store too. its always best to know someone thats actually working in the pits not the dweeb at the front counter. years ago i used to take my vl down there and go straight out the back and talk to a bloke that would work on my car and i would only deal with him directly.. when i booked other cars in i would ask that only he work on it etc cause he was a top bloke i spent more time out the back under the car talking cars with him then waiting for the full safety check lol

[TWOJZ]

I use the "so called" shop, for a rough idea, to whats wrong.

Plus its a cheap way, to have a look under your car while its on a hoist

Simon

when they tell you EVERYTHING, its kinda hard to know what is actually wrong...

[Scooter79]

when they tell you EVERYTHING, its kinda hard to know what is actually wrong...

Agreed! Same experience here.

[TWOJZ]

going to have another go at replacing the remaining rear bushes tonight, and put the new rear springs and shocks in...

wish me luck :?

[Grennan]

Tell me if you fix that problem with the car following the grooves in the road. My car did that when i put new rims on so im guessing i just need some new tyres and a good balance and allignment but it couldnt hurt to have a try at something else.

For a car of your's age its pretty expected though that most of the bushses are gone. I got a quote from the same suspension place for about 320, but the guys there were pretty decent about it. He called me into the workshop and we ran over it together.

[VH commodore]

everybody knows what store he's talking about and let me tell u never go to them...biggest cheap bastards ever! we have customers coming in all the time that have come straight from them because they got $1000 plus quotes.

[TWOJZ]

replaced the rear springs and shocks.

don't like the kingsprings at all.

uncompressed, they were the same height as the standard ones, meaning, for the car to sit lower, the springs have to be softer!

they have the same number of turns as the stock springs, and similar coil spacings.

the drivers spring required spring compressors to remove, and replace (this was with the shock absorber disconnected.

for some reason, the passenger side spring was able to be removed and replaced, without having to compress it... that doesn't seem right.

the springs and shocks are now in, and the car is sitting slightly lower than the sagged stock springs, however, its softer, both on the road, and bouncing the car up and down, however, this may just be due to the fact that one of the old shocks didn't do anything anymore well, it would be compressed, and not return to its extended position without pulling it back out.

I attempted to remove the front springs, couldn't get them out, and decided the front shocks needed replacing anyway, so thats been put on hold.

The workshop manual was rather useless in this case.

[VH commodore]

i got ultralow kingsprings in the vh...it sits fine nice and low and they are pretty stiff but not too stiff so its perfect to drive.

[TWOJZ]

i got ultralow kingsprings in the vh...it sits fine nice and low and they are pretty stiff but not too stiff so its perfect to drive.

I didn't want it too low, as its a wagon, and I often carry stuff in the back, I figured the "low" springs would be stiffer than stock, and lower, but that the back end would sit about the same with a load in it, as with the stock "soft" springs, except, the kingsprings are softer than stock, so its useless.

[feistl]

I'm running ultra lows in my VR wagon... Id say the ride is amazing. I did the shocks, springs, adj panhard rod, sway bar bushes, spring mounts etc. Cost me $1200 in the end, but yeah the car rides really well. Its stiff, but actually handles the bumps pretty well. Much better than my mates Silvia with coil overs.

If you paid $1000 for the car you cant expect it to be perfect. You could spend another $5k getting the car right (Suspension, tires, brakes, exhaust, memcal etc) but you have to way up how long your going to keep it for, and how much you wanna spend.

[TWOJZ]

ok, the VL still isn't sitting level, even with new rear springs and shocks.

the fuel tank is offset, so I guess this effects it somewhat, however, the front springs, have a left, and right, the right (drivers side) spring being slightly higher uncompressed is it even meant to be like that?

that seems really dodgy to me!

[TWOJZ]

car feels better at high speeds, but it now has more body roll than before.

how wonderful!

[Scooter79]

Did it cure the bump steer problem?