Thinking about suspension upgrades.

[We4ever]

Did a little scouting under the car, the body bushings seem in good shape. Rubber seems soft and not rotted....

The front sway bar looks decidedly aftermarket, not sure tho.

Control arm bushings are pretty rough.

I’ll let more experienced eyes look at it and tell me what I need.

 

[~JM~]

Perform a search on Body Bushings. You may be missing a few from the assembly line. Here is one of many posts: https://www.turbobuick.com/threads/body-bushings.457616/

 

[captndave737]

That looks like a stock front bar, not sure though. The body bushings are easy to replace IF and it's a big IF you can get the old ones out. Soak the bolts in penetrating oil daily for a couple of weeks before attempting.

 

[sailbrd]

Do not use poly bushings in the rear end! The GM 4 link was designed to have twist at the control arm ends provided by the rubber bushings. Most of the companies doing suspension part upgrades have control arms with spherical bushings designed for street use. The cheap way to upgrade rear control arms is boxing the arms and putting 1le Camaro bushings in. UMI and Currie both have good control arms with Sherical bushings.

 

[sailbrd]

If you upgrade springs avoid progressive springs. Did that on our GN and not happy with them. Had to air bag them.

 

[We4ever]

Do not use poly bushings in the rear end! The GM 4 link was designed to have twist at the control arm ends provided by the rubber bushings. Most of the companies doing suspension part upgrades have control arms with spherical bushings designed for street use. The cheap way to upgrade rear control arms is boxing the arms and putting 1le Camaro bushings in. UMI and Currie both have good control arms with Sherical bushings.

Huh? The rear control arms? Boxing the arms? Wat!

 

[1986 Buick GX1]

Huh? The rear control arms? Boxing the arms? Wat!

www.hrpartsandstuff.com has boxing kits if you have or know someone with welding skills.

HRPartsNStuff

home page

www.hrpartsandstuff.com

www.aggressiveauto.com has ATR style rear sway bars.

ATR 1 3/8" REAR SWAY BAR, Suspension, SU00 | Aggressive Performance Buick Grand National Parts & Service

We still offer the original ATR 1 3/8" rear sway bars for the G-bodys. This is the biggest rear bar on the market which bolts in place of the much smaller factory bar. This ATR bar will increase traction and stability. Sway bar only, hardware not included.

www.aggressiveauto.com

 

[sailbrd]

Boxing the control arms. Good exercise for you and the control arms. A little time in the ring and you get a good workout.

Stock control arms are pretty wimpy. They are sheet metal stamped into a u shape. By welding a top to the u the control arms become much stronger for not a lot of money.

 

[We4ever]

Oooohhh I’m dumb, I didn’t know those parts were called control arms. My brain assumed rear control arms implied independent rear suspension. I get it now after crawling under the back of the car again.

I’m gonna go ahead and pass on any mod that requires welding. I will look into upgraded rear arms tho...

Just to make it clear what my goals for this car are, I have 0% interest in drag racing. I’ve always saw the turbo Buick as an American take on a European luxury GT car. Like a big Jag or 2+2 Ferrari. The three primary attributes of a GT are: Comfort, good handling, and passing power. The comfort and power she has already. I’m trying to set the car up to have all three. I rarely hard launch the car, preferring to roll gently into the power.

I know i’m a weirdo