Rear Suspension Help

[elvin315]

Originally Posted by NvMySi

1 more question, would it be easier to just change the control arm with hub and bearing already in ? (a used one obviously but a good one froma wrecker) or is it easier to just change the bearing?

I myself would change the trailing arm. The impact likely damaged everything on that side. Swapping the whole assembly will keep you from having to go back again and again guessing what's wrong. I would upgrade the inner and outer trailing arm bushings while performing the swap.

The other trailing arm is probably OK but its bushing are likely trashed from normal wear & tear. Whether you decide to retain the stock rubber bushings, upgrade to polyurethane, or poly/adjustable I'd advice replacing the old bushings. See my suspension write-up:

(click) Catera Suspension Replacements & Upgrades

ACDELCO Part # 45G11143 {#19195668}
Bushing, Rear Trailing Arm (OEM, Rubber)
http://www.rockauto.com

Pedders Suspensions - GTO IRS Bushing (POLYURETHANE)
GTO IRS Inner Lower Arm Urethane Bush (no adjustments) #EP7023
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm
http://wretchedmotorsports.com/image...23_800x533.jpg

Pedders Suspensions - Rear Camber Eccentric (POLYURETHANE)
GTO Rear Camber Kit #5403 (adjustable camber)
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm
http://www.peddersusa.com/images/Ped...mages/5403.gif
http://wretchedmotorsports.com/images/5403_800x533.jpg

SLP Performance: Rear Camber Kit (inner & outer) (POLYURETHANE)
2004-06 GTO: #847-70027 (use w/ #70026 lowering springs)
http://www.jegs.com/i/SLP/847/70027/10002/-1
http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/800/847/847-70027.jpg

Energy Suspension:
GTO Rear Control Arm Bushings: 33188R Control Arm Bushings (POLYURETHANE)
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/ENE33188R.htm

[NvMySi]

hey 1 more question guys, on my 1998 catera what is the snowflake do? i press it and nothing happens, i havent driven the car yet because am fixing the rear supsension, but the snow flake button is on the console beside the shifter right under the power window switch.

[Matera97]

The snowflake is for driving in slick conditions, allowing for a better take off. It dissengages when you hit third gear. Its in the owners manual

[NvMySi]

wh the difference between the snowflake and Traction control? is it the same?

[Matera97]

The snowflake controls how much torque goes to the wheels, as traction control engages the brake to the wheel thats spinning.

[CateraMV6]

Well the snow flake is a snow mode which puts the car in 3rd gear when you are stop or moving... then the car will attempt to accelerate by slipping the torque converter and in that case it will have reduced torque and that should provide better acceleration on slippery conditions.

Once car reaches 25-30mph which will be around where the car would normally shift to 3rd gear in regular conditions the light will turn off and the snow mode will deactivate.

As far as the ABS applying the brakes I think mine is either broke or doesn't have it... I got stuck before where only one wheel will spin endlessly without any signs of the other one engaging or the ABS kicking in...

Sometimes when In traffic I will put it in snow mode and the car will sit without moving and when you have to ease forward a slight movement of the gas pedal does the trick...

[elvin315]

Originally Posted by Matera97

The snowflake is for driving in slick conditions, allowing for a better take off. It dissengages when you hit third gear. Its in the owners manual

Not exactly. It's the Winter Mode button. Press it at a full stop and the computer locks out 1st and 2nd gears until you reach 30 MPH. This reduces the amount of torque to the rear tires and helps prevent wheel spin before it happens unlike the Traction Control that waits to detect wheel spin before activating. After you reach 30 MPH the transmission reverts to normal. The Winter Mode must be manually selected everytime you need it.

[NvMySi]

thanks guys i finally got the suspension on it was a pain in the ass to line up the bolt again for that subfram by the rocker. had to pull it down in order to get the bolt out from the control arm. (trailing arm) but after all its all good i got another issue now i will put here and make a new thread . the problem im having with the car still ever since i bought it off this kid is i charge the battery full and its dead the next day, the battery is good cuz i got it tested at canadian tire, its only 6 months old , the alternator is good as well as i tested it, there is a drainage somewhere is this common? maybe you guys know where it might be ?

[CateraMV6]

Not sure how you go about that... is there some sort of wiring installed for remote start or something of that sort?

[Matera97]

I wonder if this "kid" had an aftermarket stereo installed, maybe power is getting leeched from improper reinstallation of OEM headunit...Could be all kinds of things really, in one of my other cars, I needed to install a new trunk lid. It was a rush job and forgot to tape the ground wire. Drained a brand new battery in under 3 hours.