This is the first time I have messed around with a GM suspension so please excuse my ignorance. I had my GS up on the lift yesterday to change the rear springs and noticed that I could remove the old springs by hand...so I did that thinking this was too easy. I then got my replacement springs, got them into place and they were shorter than the originals...but stiffer. They didn't even go into proper position, I had to lower the car to the ground so the suspension was just starting to come up then crawl under the car to knock the springs into proper position. Is this the way it is done? The car seems to sit a little higher than it used to and the ride seems fine. I just thought it funny that first, changing springs would be so easy and second, that if I went over a bump fast enough that my rear springs may fall out. Thanks, Dan
Now... You weren't able to change the springs with the shocks hooked up were you:eek2: :eek2: If so then I'd be very worried. But if the shocks were off, then as long as the spring arn't loose when you jack up the frame then you should be fine. The shock usually limit the travel so the springs don't fall out. And yes.. the rears are that easy to change:TU: Just don't try the fronts that wayou: ou:
Madcat, The shocks were hooked up when I changed he springs. I was able to just pull down on the old springs enough to clear and pull them right out. The new ones did not contact on top mount with suspension unloaded. Dan
No... that doesn't sound right to me. WHen I Swapped out my rear end, the shocks HAD to be loose for me to get the old springs out. Every rear end that I have seen (mostly newer cars tho) has been that way. What year is you GS... I ask cause I've heard that some of the older (68-71 maybe) rears have Perches that act as a spacer on the bottom of the spring. o No: HTH Edit: Pulling down on the old springs sounds OK.. THere old, worn out and weak so I can see it being possible... But the new ones shouldn't have been that way.
Mine is a '69 GS 350. I will go check the part number and call the vendor to double check. The car actually sits a little higher now with the new springs and looks about right even though they are physically shorter than the old ones. Dan
Something is not right. You probably have the wrong shocks in it that are to long. You should not be able to move the spring let alone swap them out with the shock still attached. This could be a very dangerous situation. If you go over something like a rail road crossing and unload the suspension you could possibly have a spring fall out. I would get some new shocks and double check to make sure you have the right springs. Even with the suspension hanging I usually have to pull down on the axle a bit to get the springs out. [EDIT] Didn't see that you had two posts on this. I responded earlier but thought it didn't go through so I posted again. oopsou:
You need new correct shocks. Yours are traveling too far and probably not the proper ones. I prefer KYB gas adjust shocks for my old car profects. They will make it stiffer and recover faster. Advance stores have them reasonably priced. Just say you want them for a 69 chevelle because most of their computers say the shocks aren't available for buicks.
I believe the shocks on it now are Monroe gas shocks...they are yellow in color. If the springs are correct I will definately look into the shocks. I ordered stck replacement heavy duty springs...would they be made shorter than stck ones? They were definately stiffer than the old ones. Dan
Well, If you removed the springs without removing the shocks, that tells me something was wrong in the beginning. You will figure it out though. Good luck.
I checked the PN's on these springs and they are Moog springs. MOO5400-AMG MOO5385-AMG - I think these are the rears springs. Can anyone verify if this is the correct spring? I have e-mailed Performance Suspension Components about this and am awaiting a reply. Dan
Update: PSC does confirm that they are the right springs...guess I'll be looking into shocks now. Dan
