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Questions about suspension - '98 SLS


KrisR

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Hello all.

I have posted here in the past, but not for awhile. I had a green '96 STS that I got rid of and stopped posting. Now I'm back in the Northstar camp with a '98 SLS, which I drive when I'm not schlepping around in my '02 Z06.

Anyway, back on topic:

I think my SLS needs rear shocks, but I wanted to confirm. It seems very 'floaty' in the rear when going over sharp bumps in the road, like the rear dances all over the place (side to side) before settling back down. It's fine when going over more gradual bumps. The tires are Michelin 235/60-16s with the recommended pressure in them, going by the door tag. It seems worse when the rear is light, as in when I am low on fuel and have no passengers in the back.

So....do I need shocks, or could it be something else? How do I know if I need the $400/ecah electronic ones or the $100/each regular ones?

Any help would be appreciated... smile.gif

Thanks,

Kris

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You need to check to see if the bushings in your rear knuckles are worn, loose, etc. Jack the car up and see is you can get any movement 12 and 6 o'clock and or 3 and 9 o'clock. If someone can try to move the wheel while you are looking at the knuckle even better. You might also find movement in the hub bearing but I doubt that is your problem.

Oddly enough, I recently changed my rear springs and struts and still have that skippyness that seems to be coming fromt the rear a side to side feeling. I will not conclude my analysis of this problem until I do my front springs, struts assemblies and strut rod bushings. I was convinced that that side to side motion was my rear struts. I am beginning to think it may be a combination of my front struts and strut rod bushings that is allowing the suspension to change its geometry easily. If that does not do it, I am going to have a real close look at my rear knuckles again.

Obviously you can go OEM struts, $400 is a great price. Or you can go with passive struts from Arnott, Boston Suspensions or Strutmasters, but they are passive struts and supply electronics to fool the computer. Mike

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