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97 GP GT - Stock Suspension Vs Performance?

penright

penright

New member
I had the front wheels off of a 97 project car last night. I noticed at a minimum both tie rods, driver side sway arm trailing link rusted in two, all the rubber bushing rotten, and both front hubs have up/down play.
I am not looking for improved handling over stock, but looking at stock prices I am wondering if there is a kit that would be equal to stock. Of course if it improved some that would be ok also, but the main goal is freshen it up. I am sure it would not hurt to do struts and struts bearings. Both front rotors need replaced maybe them also? I would like to keep the stock wheels.
 


For the price, you can't beat changing the sway bar to the Dorman and get the Moog links. I just did this a few weeks back on my 97 and the difference is amazing. Of course, I also did my control arms which I would bet you need done as well.
 
tdm571 said:
For the price, you can't beat changing the sway bar to the Dorman and get the Moog links. I just did this a few weeks back on my 97 and the difference is amazing. Of course, I also did my control arms which I would bet you need done as well.
Click to expand...
where did you source them? What kind of price?
 
Rock Auto usually has good prices on replacement parts. They have a 5% discount floating around the web. A quick search will get you one.

This is what I would recommend:

Moog wheel bearings P/N 513121 (Oty 2)

Moog Front endlinks P/N K5342 (Qty 2)

Moog Rear Endlinks P/N K6662 (Qty 2)

Moog Tie Rod P/N ES3453 (Qty 2)

If you choose to replace the front sway bar, as they are known to break, you can go with the dorman version P/N 927100. This kit includes the bushings and the endlinks. The moog endlinks are recommended since they are bigger than the stockers.

As far as struts go, you can either get with a quick strut that comes with everything already preassembled for a drop in replacement. Monroe and KYB make them. I would recommend KYB's. You would go this route since the stock springs tend to sag as they age.
 
For the record...

A set of springs, larger sways, poly bushings for the sways, and rear trailing arms + aftermarket wheels/tires made a night and day difference on my WBody...and I only dropped it about 1.5"~
 
As I said, I not too much for the modify aspect.
In some of my searching for wheel bearings. the price difference between Timken and whatever.
My highschool job was mechanic. The old guy that I worked for (now I am old), call the bearing Timken. I know it brand name, kind of like vise grip. So I guess they must be the cadillac of bearings.
My question, are they worth the price difference. A forum sponsor has 2 year warranty for $50 and Timken are 3 times that.
 


Some have said that timkens quality has gone down and that they are not as good as they once were. Some have gone onto using moogs or SKF.
 
I know they are better, but for the price difference, I can almost pay for a new set of smoke tail lights. Just trying to make the best decision. Thats why I am trying to see what you get for the price difference?
 
Ask yourself this--- How many times a year do you want to be replacing hub bearings? For the time involved I have gone with the Timkin's on both my 00GT and my 95 Bonneville. I have yet to replace any of them since, and the first one I put on my 00 GT was over 2 years ago and I drive an average of 2000mi/month, sometimes more. I don't have time anymore for crap quality parts so I opt to pay more and save time for other things, like the old busted LCA's that I finally replaced after 293,000 lol...
 


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