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Suspension redo 700

uid 30730's pic
posted by  randybuddy on  Sun Jan 23 09:38 CST 2005
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Ok guys. I've decided to redo my suspension on my 1990 745T 136k miles. Right now I get kind of a choppy ride. Looks like the previous owner put some crappy Gabriel Ryder shocks on and I figure that's what's contributing to my problem. From what I have read Ive decided to go with the Bilsteins, the complete sway bar kit front and rear from IPD, and a new set of springs. I'm looking for a springs that are gonna give me the handling and control with somewhat of a compromise towards ride, I don't want the suspension lowered so much that I'm gonna be hobby horsing down the freeway. Maybe looking for an inch or less lowering. Anyone have any recommendations?

Randy
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Randy








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    Suspension redo 700

    posted by  someone claiming to be Al on  Sun Jan 23 11:14 CST 2005 [RELATED]

    Before you start spending money think about re-doing the bushings all around the car. Replacing them will dramaticly tighten up the car.After 14 years those bushings are pretty well shot by now.
    Then add the bilsteins, 22 mm sway bars and chassis braces. I re-did my suspension with all the fun parts and the only one I wouldn't do again is the stiffer lowering springs. They made the suspension a little too hard. When on the interstate the car is a dream to drive at high speed. But on local rough roads it can be a bear to deal with. It can be a pretty hard ride to live with over the long term. I will admit with the lowering springs and the Hydras my 1987 745T looks very nice.








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      Suspension redo 700

      posted by  jmars on  Sun Jan 23 15:37 CST 2005
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      last visit: Wed Jan 2 02:18 CST 2008
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      I agree with Al about the sway bars, Bilsteins, and lastly the chassis braces. My local mechanic poo-pooed the effect of the braces but the upper one especially was very noticable to me and make the car feel more solid, a bit quicker in steering response, and even ride a bit better. I am using the truss type upper with the Volvo cross bar lower on my 745T with sway bars and Bilsteins and am pleased with the handling and ride. I also wouldn't bother with lowering stiffning springs, the Bilsteins should firm up the ride enough for you. Spend your money on new ball joints and upper strut supports and bearings instead.








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        Suspension redo 700

        uid 13809's pic
        posted by  Alex Z on  Sun Jan 23 20:27 CST 2005
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        last visit: Thu Oct 3 04:30 CST 2013
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        Agreed.

        July 04, I put a rear sway bar (19mm) from a 744T on my wagon, and liked what that did. It had a near zero effect on the ride, but tightened up the rear end. Most 700/900 wagons came without a rear sway bar.

        September 04, I installed Bilstein HDs in the rear, that took even more slop out of the rear end.. and the car rode a bit more like a truck (but not much).

        The next day, I installed a 23mm front bar from a 764T, that kept the front noticeablely flatter (not a huge difference, but it was there).

        A few days ago I installed Bilstein HD strut inserts + new ball joints, and that really took a big chunk out of the brake dive and front end slop.

        The ride is pretty okay over rough roads (and California roads really suck). The handling is significantly improved, and I have not yet fixed the sagging butt (I'm planning on putting some overload springs in the rear eventually).

        I have a set of Hydras (shod with Toyo Proxes HZ4s) that do contribute nicely to the handling of the car. Next on my list are some polyurethane swaybar bushings. An aluminum control arm would allow you to install poly bushings at both sides of the end-link. The only polyurethane I have now are the strut rod bushings.

        All in all I don't feel a huge need for lowering springs, but I was quite unhappy with how the car handled from the factory (esp. with the Nivomats).

        --
        alex







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