Park Avenue spring question

Subject: Park Avenue spring question Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:59 am

Are the Park Avenue springs the same as on the Riv, or stronger for the heaver weight? Riv at 3690 and the P.A. at 3740. Would they be a "drop on" fit?
Thanks,
Riv in Reno
'98 Riv with nothing new added yet...

Subject: Re: Park Avenue spring question Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:33 am

If you just want to know if they'll fit, yes they will, because they use the same springs (97 used 'firm' suspension springs, 98-99 used soft)
If you are looking for a set of firmer springs, I would definately go with a set of eibach STS springs (eibach part number 3872.140). I cross referenced a few parts like the rear lower control arms and they are the same on the 98-05 STS. I started working on the part number list and came to the same conclusion that none of the factory stuff is going to be really firm. Even the STS and SSEI seemed to be weak as they were the same as the standard suspension level springs.
If I had to guess which OEM spring was firmest, I'd say those 00-05 Bonneville numbers are the firmest. Bonneville only and its a Pontiac. But than the Bonny is probally one of the lightest cars on that list too. Same set of springs used on the SSE and SSEI too. I would bet that the cadillac seville STS springs are firmer than the riviera's too.

Special thanks to Eric Fisher for the help with the Part numbers.

Code:: ----- Original Message -----
YEAR MODEL
FRONT
22132791 CKA,SHM,JY,JZ,KA 95-96 RIVIERA
95-96 AURORA
22197216 PA,PB,MJ,MC 97 RIVIERA
97-99 AURORA
97-05 PARK AVE (firm ride)
98 SEVILLE
02-04 SEVILLE
22197212 MA,MB,BH,CK,CR 98-99 RIVIERA
97-05 PARK AVE (soft ride)
22197594 CL,CM,DK,AB,AN,AJ 00-05 BONNEVILLE
01-02 AURORA
00-05 DEVILLE
22197599 DR,DS,AY,AR 01-03 AURORA
22197295 FLR,BL,YM,AAD,AAF,AAL 97-02 ELDORADO
AAK 88-92 ALANTE
92-97 SEVILLE
94 DEVILLE
88955403 BJ,DM 02-04 SEVILLE
22197592 CH,CJ 02-05 DEVILLE

REAR
25655478 PCW,RSZ,RTA,DP,CY,RTB 95-97 RIVIERA
95-97 AURORA
01-03 AURORA
97-05 PARK AVE
22078069 RSY 95-97 RIVIERA
95-97 AURORA
97-05 PARK AVE
25655473 NCR,CS,FF,FD,RAC,RAD 98-99 RIVIERA
97-05 PARK AVE
98-04 SEVILLE
25655481 CL,CM,CN,CP 00-05 BONNEVILLE
25633132 RAH 97 PARK AVE
22076935 NAH,CC,NAJ 94-02 ELDORADO
93 ALANTE
93-97 SEVILLE
94-99 DEVILLE
25725866 AC 00-02 ELDORADO
25725867 AD 00-02 ELDORADO
22078179 RYB 97-99 DEVILLE
25655475 NCT 99-04 SEVILLE
25670966 PDB,PCF,CZ 00-05 DEVILLE
25670967 PDC,PDD,PCH 00-05 DEVILLE
25758982 GB 02-04 SEVILLE

Subject: Re: Park Avenue spring question Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:46 am

PAs and Rivs probably used the same springs. There really isn't a difference in weight. My Riv weighs 3940 lbs.

I'm very interested in this info. Try pasting the RTF into [code][/code].

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

Subject: Re: Park Avenue spring question Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:18 pm

Many thanks Jason, this is the kind of info I am looking for. When I put the KYB struts on I will change the springs as well.
Thanks'

Riv in Reno

Subject: Re: Park Avenue spring question Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:32 pm

Jason, thanks for the great spring info. Please keep us informed how the spring swap goes. I like my 'luxury' ride, but I would be happy with a stiffer spring too. The auto-levelling suspension should be able to absorb slight differences in resulting ride height.

Reno, If you could, let your air shocks all the way down before and after the spring change and measure the ride height!

-Derek

Subject: Re: Park Avenue spring question Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:48 pm

I think the factory springs, at least on the 98-99 are too compliant. To obtain "good" handling with the soft factory springs would require swaybars that are much larger than the stock suspension components could handle.

I think a firmer, shorter spring would be an ideal compliment to the addco swaybars that some of us have ordered. I have seen a few cases of sagging eibachs on the b-body boards, but overall I think they have a good reputation.