new shocks

Steve84Ec · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 9:24 am Post subject: new shocks

Okay, i'm in the market for some new shocks. I really don't feel like installing them myself. So how much have you all paid for new shocks and installation? I wanted to see what the price range seemed to be before calling around, thanks Cool

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1984 El camino, V8 with wheels spinning in the back, thats the only way to do it

camino1 · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 10:20 am Post subject:

i got new front and rear shocks fronts are gas shocks $30. and the rears are air shocks $89. but i installed them myself took me about 1.5 hours .
it now has a pretty smooth ride and i can ajust the rear shocks if i'm carrying a load or not sometimes its fun just to pump up the rear shocks to give the camino a mean stance .

joeblow · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 12:27 pm Post subject:

I got an estimate from Tire Kingdom for $300 for 4 shock absorbers, including air shocks in the rear because the car came with factory air shocks.

I ended up doing it myself for about $110.

Steve84Ec · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 2:49 pm Post subject:

Also i have another question. When i take turns i have a little bit of side to side action at the rear, nothing too bad, but i think it makes something bake there make a quiet banging noise. Would a rear anti-sway bar probably end that problem? and if so, how much should i figure on spending on that? I have the cash to get some things done, so i'm trying to get just my over all ride better, thanks a lot guys.
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1984 El camino, V8 with wheels spinning in the back, thats the only way to do it

7d8ss · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 4:33 pm Post subject:

Steve, Could need new trailing arm bushings. Jon
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Z15 EL
NECOA Member#31
ECC Member#13
14.027 @ 99.80

camino1 · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 6:11 pm Post subject:

quiet banging sound when you make a turn .
my elky did that for a while too but it was not the suspension it was the clutch pack in my posi rear end slipping . it finally decided to grenade itself one day it did major damage it actually broke 10 of the 42 teeth of the ring gear . so if your elky was used for towing or has never had a rear end service you should have it checked .
if this is o.k. also if you have wider than stock rims as i do check to see if the bottom shock bolt is hitting the rim .when i drove straight no problems but when i made turns the wheel weights would rub against the lower shock bolt . just some thoughts

Steve84Ec · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 10:46 pm Post subject:

I have the stock rims still on the car. I have noticed that it sounds like the same thing makes the bang noise sometimes when i go over bigger speed bumps. i know its not anything bottoming out, but just can't figure out whats up, thanks for all the help, i would really like to solve that annoying noise Cool

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1984 El camino, V8 with wheels spinning in the back, thats the only way to do it

Steve84Ec · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 10:48 pm Post subject:

also i think i forgot to mention, its only makes the noise when i take right turns, and it sounds like its coming from the back left of the car, don't know if this helps diagnosing it any, thanks for any responses
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1984 El camino, V8 with wheels spinning in the back, thats the only way to do it

Tommy · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 9:18 am Post subject:

Sounds like bushings. Look at the rubber in the bushings. I installed poly bushing all around & it made a big difference in how solid the car feels. I love my KYB gas adjust shocks all around with rear air bags. Smooth ride with lots of control.
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78 Camino SS, 355,built 700r4,3.23
Gallery78 Camino SS, 355,700r4,3.23
MSGT 145 AW
NECOA #14

Steve84Ec · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 9:31 am Post subject:

After looking, i think it is the bushings, they aren't looking too good at all. Can anyone give me any info on this subject? where to get them, how to install? thanks a lot.
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1984 El camino, V8 with wheels spinning in the back, thats the only way to do it

Camino80 · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:44 pm Post subject:

I put on a complete front end kit with polygraphite bushings,new springs and bigger sway bars from Performance Suspension Technology( www.p-s-t-.com) on my 80 Elky. I also added Edelbrock IAS shocks. Got them from Summit,about $70 each. I think. It was well worth the money,handles like new car, nice and tight yet smooth with those shocks. Cool

joeblow · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:57 pm Post subject:

I just wanted to add that it took a heck of a lot longer than 1.5 hours for me to do it myself. The front shock absorbers had the nut rusted to the stem. Soaking in PB Blaster, using vice grips had no effect. I decided to try to break the nut with a cold chisel, that didn't work either. Finally had to resort to attaching a cutting disk to my drill, and slicing the nut off.

Of course I'm only an amatuer, a real pro might have gone right to the cutting disk or a plasma cutter when he saw the front rust situation.

Tommy · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 8:41 am Post subject:

After you do it many times, It becomes easy. I can change out front shocks in 15 mins. Cool

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78 Camino SS, 355,built 700r4,3.23
Gallery78 Camino SS, 355,700r4,3.23
MSGT 145 AW
NECOA #14

joeblow · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 1:29 pm Post subject: bushings

This company, Energy Suspension, appears to sell bushings and mounts. On the negative side, the prices aren't on the website, and a catalog costs $5.

Tommy · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 4:04 pm Post subject:

My bushings came from Energy but I bought them from a local speed shop a few years ago.
_________________
78 Camino SS, 355,built 700r4,3.23
Gallery78 Camino SS, 355,700r4,3.23
MSGT 145 AW
NECOA #14