Suspension questions!!!!!!

Hey guys, Im pretty new to the forum but not to modding my riv.. I got this beautiful car 2 yrs ago with only 35,000 miles but alas, Ive caught a big case of the mod bug.. anywho... its summer time and i really want to do a bunch of stuff to the riv.. its a 1997 and im currently about to under go the F body brake mod. In the mean time,Im coming up to about 54,000 miles and noticed my front end likes to do the wave when going at a high rate of speed on the parkway So i decided i want to replace my struts with the KYBs and heard that there is no product number for my yr of rivi. only the 1995-96 and 98-99. But ive heard it can be done to the 97 with a lil rigging. My 1st question is does anyone know what would be the part number for the KYBs for my year? also, the rancho rear shocks... just to double check, i would need the rear strut mounts from a 1995 riv/aurora? Im pretty sure ill have more questions but this would help out a ton! so i can start ordering the right parts! thanks alot!

I used the 95 strut mounts when I did the Rancho mod, but they came off a wrecked 95 and were probably as used up as the ones I was replacing. The bad news is, you can't get new replacement mounts of the same design as the 95's (if you can, let me know). The new mounts have the bigger, thicker pin of the 97+ design. It's bad enough grinding down the thin-walled pin on the original 95 mounts, there's no telling how long it would take to do the new design mounts. Maybe an air grinder can do a faster job of it then a Dremel? I've been contemplating the question, but haven't ordered new mounts yet. I'd like to get the old 95's off the car though.

I would not bother with the Rancho rears.

You can get Gabriels for the fronts that behave similar to the KYBs, for the '97. The Gabriels are a good value (inexpensive) but will not last as long as the KYBs (design difference). I had gabriels that lasted over 5 years, did not malfunctoin but I replaved them (with KYBs) when they started seeping oil.

Albertj

Well.. if the KYB's last longer... ill probably stick with those.( i want to set it and forget it ) But if you dont recomend the ranchos for the rear what would you then? my rear bounces around more then a horse drawn carriage and i hate the air suspension.. side question, Jack the R... would you say the mod was well worth it? i have access to just about any type of tool (Mill / engine lathe) in my engineering department so i can mill down the thin walled pin if need be or go to the junkyard and pick up the rear strut mounts as a last resort... Im just a little lost as to what KYBs to buy with the front??

-Thanks

At this mileage the Gabriels should last you at least to 100,000 and probably beyond.

Unless you *never* carry passengers or luggage (adn I mean Never) stick with the facory shocks. if yours are not leaking oil or bulging leave 'em. I am told design life on the rear air shocks is 100,000 miles but don't quote me.


Albertj

Timothy, you said you were interested in the F-body brake mod. If so, you need to upgrade to '98-99 control arms. Does anyone know if he could then use '98-99 KYBs?

landyaht97 - everyone who has done the Rancho mod has said they're awesome. I think they're awesome, especially with the reinforced STB. In fact there are times when my car feels like it's rotating on glass. The only gripes I've seen about the Rancho's so far are from people who haven't tried them

ewolfe (who has Rancho's) filled up his Riv enough to make the back sag, and cranked the Ranchos up to a higher setting as a solution. I haven't tried this myself, and don't understand how it would work since shocks appear to have nothing to do with ride height, but he claimed it worked and if you follow what he's doing to his car he certainly seems to have his act together.

If you've got access to heavy machining tools and you're not hurting for cash, by all means get the new mounts. I'm sure the thick pin can be ground down to a shorter length, but I have to do it by hand with a dremel and that kinda sucks. If your's turn out well maybe I'll ask you to do a pair for me

I replaced all my struts/shocks with Monroes and I like them a lot (but I don't like a harsh ride). I also put in the rear Addco sway bar, that made a big difference by itself. Going to do the front this weekend. Also, search for the STB mod for the front. It's a caddy STS stock STB, costs like $25-$30 from the dealer. Just awesome.

I was looking at one of my old 97 mounts a while ago and noticed there are three little bumps near the top which I suppose center the shock stud. I think they are high enough that you'd have to grind into them to shorten that pin enough. That would probably be a bad thing, and I'm not sure what the solution is. Maybe ewolfe has an answer.

I'm with D-rock. Monroes are great for the rear, especially if you want to retain the ELC function.