Hey gang-88 GTA. I believe I need to get new struts and/or springs. I have read the how-to articles and it looks pretty straight forward. My GTA looks higher in the front...while the back sags down a bit. I tried installing the 4th gen isolators above the read springs, as I read this raises the back end up a bit. But in the end I measured virtually no change.

My question for you - how do I know what needs to be replaced in order to make the car suspension even again? Since the front looks higher, Do I just replace the front struts? Front springs? BOTH? Or is the problem in the back...and do I need to replace the REAR shocks and/or the rear coils?

Yes - I know it's advisable to do everything all around. But that is more than I can afford right now. So I am trying to figure out which end to start with (front or back) and then what should be replaced (struts, shocks, or springs). Thx for any help u can offer.

 

If the rear is lower, the most likely issue is sagging springs on both sides. Struts & shocks only control motion, they do not support a car.

 

Ok so your suggestion is to replace the springs only at the rear of the car, right? Is there a way I can tell what types of springs are in the front so I can match that type in the back?

 

What are your ground to fender lip heights (on the side of the car)? Ned to figure out where you are at & where you want to be, before anything gets changed.

 

I just went to the garage and measured the following:

Driver side
FRONT: 27.5"
REAR: 26.5"

Pass side:
FRONT: 27.5"
READ: 26 & 3/8's"

I kind of like to lower look. Between the two, I'd prefer the car to be closer to 26" off the ground all around

 

Now that we know where we are starting from, we know that your rear springs are worn. I would not be surprised that if you were to buy "lowering soprings" that the rear of your car went UP, because your stock springs are worn & sagging.

The best way, but not the cheapest way (almost $450 from Ground Control), would to buy a set of Weight Jacks. Mine are from Ground Control. They can help you decide how soft/stiff a spring you want to run & with the adjusters, you can dial in the exact ride height you want. These are not Air Bags or Hydraulics, but an adjustable set that goes on the short springs.

The total opposite side of that would to go the uber cheap route (just costs you time & a cutoff wheel or two) & just cut your front springs down until the front is as low, or lower, than the rear. Not a route that I really recommend if you need to go that low.

I have seen a thread here that shows what people have gotten for height out of which specific stock 3rd gen spring, but I don't know the URL of it to give you. The Search feature should be able to find it for you.

There should be a paper tag wrapped around your springs with a 3 letter code (XXY, YYX, etc.) that you might be able to find what was stock height for that spring & go from there to find new ones to get you where you want to be.

Obviously the easiest way would be to just get 4 new springs & 2 new rear shocks (how are your front struts?) and go from there.

 

I definitely don't want to half-*** it...but can't afford much either. I think what I'll do is research just the springs to see if I can get a set that'll make the car even / lower all around...without replacing the shocks or struts just yet. Thanks for all of your help. I didn't realize the car's height was based mainly on the coils - I thought the struts and shocks would also impact the sitting height as well. Good to know!