I've got an interesting problem. Ever since I bought my 87 GN, when braking, I would have to turn the wheel a little to the left to keep the car straight.
I replaced my brakes. Replaced my wheels and tires. Replaced my springs twice (1st I got Eibach lowering springs - too low - 2nd I got some stock springs for the car). I've rebuilt the front end with all new parts including A arm bushing, etc. I've also got Koni adjustable shocks on the car. I've also replaced the core supports just to make sure everything wa sitting good.
I've had the frame check for straightness. I've had the alignment check numerous times.
Currently, I've got 16" GTA wheels on the car. On the right fender when I hit a bump, the outside of the tire hits the inner lip of the fender. I've checked the body through and through and everything seems to line up good.
The car seems to sit a little low, and here is the kicker... If I have the car on a lift, and set it on the ground, the car looks like it is the correct height. If I push down on the bumper, the car drops about 2".
If I take the car off a lift and take it out for a drive, the car seems to handle much better, steering is more responsive, and I'm much happier. Unfortunately, a few bumps down the road - the problem comes back.
At any rate, I'm at a loss. I'd hate to change the springs again for no reason. If anyone has any ideas, please please please throw them out.
Thank you.
It sounds like your left caliper is not working.
Have you replaced the front brake hoses. When they get old, they can collapse and affect braking.
Brian
The pulling to one side when braking would be caused by a sticking caliper or a collapsed hose. When doing the brakes did the caliper's compress just fine, or did u need to open the bleeder valve. If so then it would be the hose.
As for the ride, it may sound funny but it's worth a try. If not yet done, when installing new suspension components u must tighten all hardware with a load on the vehicle (i.e., on an alignment rack or jacks underneath the control arms). Not doing so would put a lot of stress on all the bushings causing them to wear prematurely and fight the suspension to stay up.
I hope this is of some help, MARIO
Hi I am having problems with my 87 GN.. ever since i owned it.. the problem is when i am accelerating and let go of the peddle it feels like the whole body is shifting ... i replaced all of the body mounts.. and it is the weirdest feeling i have ever experienced .. can anyone shed some light on this. thanks Roger
Hi again ... i would like to know what the best suspension package i can use for my 87 GN.. i find the suspension is sloppy and i feel it is time for new springs and shocks all around ... can anyone let me know what brand names to purchase and if there is any tricks or shops in the pennsylvania area.. is there a way of tuning up the steering as well.. thanks Roger
Hello.
Moog springs can be had for cheap from summitracing.com. Same thing as the expensive stuff, IMO. You can also get moog bushings, if you want plain rubber. If you want poly bushings, try PST or Hyperflex.
I got Koni shocks, but you can get Billsteins for half of what the Koni's cost.
http://www.p-s-t.com/
http://www.energysuspension.com/
http://www.show-n-go.net/gfiles/springs.html
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm
Does anyone have any experience with the 16" GTA style wheels? I've got stock springs on my car, and there is so little clearance that when I hit a bump the tires rub on the inner lip edge of the fenders. I've got some nice Koni shocks, so I know it isn't the shocks. If I do need to replace the springs, can someone give me some recommendations. I don't want to lower it because these tires will just rub more (I had Eibach's on it before I put the stock's back on).
How high should my fender be off the ground? If someone can give me a height and let me know where they are measuring to on the fender - I think my springs are just messed, but I don't know what the right height should be.
I was looking at the moog spring sites, but I don't know enough about springs to be able to pick out ones for my car. I can only afford to do this once if you know what I mean.
Tom, you have some serious problems there. First off how long have you had your car and when you say you replaced the brakes did you just replace the pads and have the rotors turned or did you buy the cheapest stuff at Autozone? Sounds to me like your pull is from a warped rotor. Never turn your brake rotors no mater what has been standard practice in the past. Its a little to complicated to explain here. It might be a bad caliper on the right or bad hoses. An easy way to check is to look at the calipers and pads while someone else is apply the brakes. You should see some movement. Bad calipers usually lock up once they are applied and free up when they cool and a bad hose will act like a check valve doing the same thing. How is your powermaster? Also do you know if you have the stock spindles on your car? You mention ride height problems and there might be a possiblity that someone might have put lowered spindles on your car. Every lowered spindle out there has some bump steer built into it. Do you notice if your wheels feel like they are going in different directions when you hit a bump or when you stop suddenly? I dont know how you would check without comparing to a stock one. I have used Hotchkiss springs with out any problems no mater what size of wheel is used. Do you have genuine GTA wheels or are they aftermarket copies? Remember you can only use the fronts as the rears are a funky backspace. I would think you should be able to use a 245-50r16 tire with out any problems but than again Buick did have to cut the fenders on the GNX to get this size to fit. Let me know what you have done and I think I can come up with some solutions as I have run across a lot of your problems autocrossing my GN.