VS IRS suspension and brakes complete overhaul

[DAKSTER]

OK I know this seems silly but I've never even been underneath my car and dont plan to go there.

Of course the suspension design is different from older cars that I did get underneath when I was younger.

I am going to do a complete overhaul on the suspension and brakes on my IRS Berlina. What I need... is a list !!

I want to replace every wearing part under the car. Bushes, bearings, brake discs and pads, springs and dampers, tie rods, ball joints, bump stops, engine and gearbox mounts, universal joints etc. Fix it all up the same or better than new.

I'll probably upgrade a lot of it, like using better bushes and of course springs and dampers, but before I can decide what to change I need to know whats actually under there. I know for instance that it has front bearings in hubs instead of in the disc, thats different from what I am used to. I assume the IRS has an extra couple pairs of universal joints on the shafts too? lol like I am saying, I have never looked...

If anyone is willing to make a list, divided into categories such as front suspension and steering/ rear suspension and universal joints/ brakes / swaybars and bushes/ exhaust and drivetrain mounts/ etc it would make a useful addition in the how-to section too.

Then I can research what I want to replace or upgrade, buy the gear and get the mates to come around one day and whack it all in before taking it down to the local suspension place to get it all properly adjusted.

Yeah yeah I know.. buy a Gregories. I dont see the point, I only do bodywork. I dont touch engines or underneath cars, I just want a shopping list. Anyone willing to make one for me? pretty please

[seq4x4]

Ebay: VS IRS bush kit, you can get front, rear or a complete kit. Suspension. You can get springs and strut kits. But also youll want strut top bushes and bears (if they dont come in the kit. Done.

[Scrubmonk]

If you want to go better than original, and maybe mod or lower it add: 4 way Camber Adjustment kit instead off the rear suspension bushes. Also consider a brake upgrade kit, either to a VT spec or now you can get an upgrade to VE spec. Depends on what size rims you will be running. Plenty of aftermarket stuff and kits available, I can recommend BOGE for struts and shocks. It's easy to overspend on these things, remember it is still just a 14-15 yo Commodore.

[DAKSTER]

I'm going to look at better springs and dampers, but not changing the ride height. Might be willing to stiffen it up a little but just making it as good as it was brand new would be a good start.

A complete set of bushes, what kind is undecided. I'd like something that handles well, but I am addicted to comfort so rubber is the most likely option. I'll have to see if there is such a thing as a performance rubber bush lol

Brakes for sure, a VT upgrade seems to be the common fix. Is a VE kit noticably better and/or more expensive? I am limited with top line aftermarket stuff because I wont be going for any bigger than 18" wheels and more likely to be 17s. Is that also a problem with a VE kit?

The camber kit will happen..

Strut tops and bushes.. I seem to recall reading threads on fancy and very expensive versions of these.. am I misremembering? If I'm remembering right, whats the benefit vs. cost in going for better stuff?

Also thinking sway bars and a strut brace. Is there a happy medium between comfort and handling with sway bars, or do they not affect comfort much? Is a strut brace really worth doing or is it just a bit of extra wank factor?

Yeah its a 15 year old car, and I am not willing to spend a million bucks on it. I am going to spend 20k though, rather have a nice old car that I built my way than a nice new car with no personality .. so I can afford the good gear, but for this old fart comfort is important. I dont want to compromise more than I have to on that front... and part of that 20k will also be for wheels, interior and the upcoming Raptor.

When its all finished, its going to be my daily, and I like to hit the open road a bit so I want comfort above all. Any performance and handling I can add without losing that will be great.