Bad springs or just lowered

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Poly is an option, but the factory GM foam will net you better handling characteristics. Because of the smooth, progressive rate of the factory bump stops, they will not inhibit the springs and shocks from doing their jobs when going around a corner on rough pavement. The poly bump stops will stop the axle-to-frame contact, but are not ideal for a handling oriented car, more for a drag car. For the most part though, they'll do their job, and probably last longer than the factory set.

[Ratchet]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Also Energy Suspension makes a bumpstop for jeeps that bolts right up.. the part number is 9.9137R (for red ones) I think the black ones are 9.9137.

[ssms5411]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

I had the same tires when mine was lowered back in 1996 and I still had a 1/2"-1" space from tire to fender , your springs are shot if there that old and probaly took out the shocks as well. If you push down on either the front or the rear does it bounce up and down. You should have some movement evenly front and back. If it is stiff there bad.

[Cool81z28]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

I had the same tires when mine was lowered back in 1996 and I still had a 1/2"-1" space from tire to fender , your springs are shot if there that old and probaly took out the shocks as well. If you push down on either the front or the rear does it bounce up and down. You should have some movement evenly front and back. If it is stiff there bad.

It doesn't seem to bounce as if the shocks are bad but if the springs are bad and there isn't much room for travel that could explain it.

I'm going to do the bump stops first but I have a gut feeling your right and am going to have to do the springs.

I do like the stance of the car. So my question now is for you guys that have put 1" lowered springs on your cars.

Are you happy with them and how did it change your cars handling and ride? Any regrets with them?

[Cool81z28]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Update:

I installed rubber bump stops and all of the problems went away. No more hard bottoming out over bumps and dips and and the whole ride feels smoother.

One thing of note, while at the junkyard looking for bump stops every single 4th gen's (about 8-10 of them) bump stops were rotted and missing. The 6 or so 3rd gens all had real good condition bump stops which is what I used. They must have started using really crappy material for the 4th gens.

Check yours if you haven't in a while and if you need them get them off a 3rd gen.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Good to hear confirmation that the 3rd gen bump stops bolt up with ease. The 4th gen bump stops are good quality and do what they are supposed to while providing the best handling possible, but they do deteriorate with time. Since the 3rd gen stops are made of rubber rather than foam, they will far far outlast the 4th gen's in longevity.

As for your question to those with 1" lower springs, it was one of my favorite mods, and since I got progressive rate springs, the car actually smoothed out a bit for minor imperfections in the road, and feels much more solid on everything else. I personally wouldn't even consider going back to stock.

[ssms5411]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

For the people who want a stock height car and progessive springs, the 1LE springs are outstanding, I have the rears in mine now and I'm looking for the front one , but they will handle great. The 1LE rears are 130LB- 170LB progressive springs, they will put your car around stock height and even with 175lbs in the rear it stays the same height. Also I have QA-1 adj. shocks all around which are a great choice. Its like driving a lowered car on rails but your still at stock height, its great.