Ok...this is my 1st post on a forum I should've joined a lOoooooOng time ago.

I am true Lac fan from a long time ago, im 22yrs old, own a 94 fleetwood, and previously I had a 92 deville.

So ive had this fleetwood for almost a year now, (not even @ 49k still)

I put on 20" 150 spoke rims on it...with the tires, the whole wheel size equals the stock rim+tire hieght, the stock width was 230 or something, im not sure, and these tires are 245.... + the rims feel 2x as heavy, or more.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1922
Im having a few problems...

The ABS+Traction control both went out, around the same time...@ first, they lights would turn on after driving 4 a while, and wen it was really cold out, it would take longer 4 both lights to light up, and now, they are just on continuously.

braking is horrible, I suspect the drums are out (i seen the forum about putting disks on in the rear, which has ben on my mind 4 a while now, I just dont have the money to even think about that right now)...i got the front rotors machined + new ceramic pads, and i think i might be using them too much since of the drums.

also there seams to be skweaking coming from front springs, thats only my guess though

my "air pump" fuse keeps blowing
the ride can sumtimes feel excessivly "not tight"
and wen i turn the wheel, at times, there sounds like a crack/popping sound

wut kinda of tierod bushings/ balljoints/ control arm bushings adjustments/repairs should be made, if any?

i already want to get bigger disk/pads in front, but since i just got them done not too long ago, i guess im goint to wait till their days are up

I also want to lift my ride. I read in some post that some1 installed heavy duty cargo springs...i would like to know of sum other ways i could get about a 5" lift all the way around. (is there any way to get into the computer and change the value of where the leveling sensor keeps the ride height at?)

and one more question, I want to get a billet grille, an i seen a post where he said sum website has them 4 under $200.00, I am really interested, and i checked it out, but can not find the web site.

I really want to get started on the work on my car, I just don't wanna go to a shop, an have them not do wut I want done, or over charge me.

thanx every one who actaully sat threw this long post, and Thanx 4 any ones input/responce.!

I'm going to do my best here, and attack your post, one item at a time.

First off, forget about the lowering and raising, and whatever else you want to do, until you address the safety issues.

It sounds to me, like your front end may be due for a rebuild. The popping noises you mention may be an indication that the ball joints are going out. This is a very, very dangerous situation. I don't suggest driving the car again, until you can get this looked at by a pro. But it's not terribly hard to address on your own....If you have some mechanical ability (or desire) and a pretty normal set of tools (socket sets, breaker bars, jack and stands) you can do the job yourself.

I don't like to half ass things, so I'd suggest doing the entire front end. It's not expensive, and it will teach you a lot. But only do this if you can have the car out of service for awhile. Your first time around, doing a front end job, can be really frustrating. I can do one, now, in less than a day. My first, took me much, much longer.

If you tackle it, make sure you have the right books, references, etc. Also, do one side at a time. That way, you can go back and look at a side that is put together, should you lose your way.

A typical front end job replaces:

Upper and lower control arm bushings
Tie rods
Ball joints
Idler arm

And it requires an alignment, afterwards

While you're in there, replace the shocks/struts and coil springs. Might as well.

The hardest part, is removing and installing the control arm bushings. Do yourself a favor: Find access to an industrial press, and make use of it. Or, find a shop that will do it for you. I've heard all kinds of prices to remove the bushings. But it should not cost more than $50 to do the set. Make sure the shop knows to support the inside of the arm, when pressing, to prevent the arm itself from bending.

In my humble opinion, if you want bigger brakes, for a better performing car, go buy a better performing car. You'll spend too much dough for too little gain.

You'll want to check out your air springs. It sounds as though there is a problem.

Also, you'll want to replace the brake fluid. I bet it looks like chocolate syrup, by now. Get clean stuff in there. Check out my website, it will show you how to do it.

Good luck with it. You can do the entire thing. Go to partsamerica.com, or autozone.com, to see what you're going to be paying for the parts. Remember, your labor is free. But be honest about your abilities. You can do it, if you're inclined. But if you are easily frustrated, or not very mechanically inclined, let the pros do it. They're going to charge you a lot. You're probably looking at well over $1000.

One other thing: most of the special tools you'll need to do the above front end job (spring compressor, pickle forks, ball joint compressor, etc.) is available for rental, free, from Autozone. Makes life a lot easier.

thanx alot 4 ur post. Im going to drop the car off @ the shop tomarrow morning to get the front looked @. The ball joints Have to be out. I just sent in the check 4 my taxes :( so im only getting urgent work done, might as well get the drums looked @, but i wanted to look @ them b4 hand, just so i wouldnt be paying 4 extra parts...
...thanx again & I'm going to be hittin those books

Does your ABS or traction control work? Did it make a humming sound before it went out?

I have a strange sound and the lights flicker on. I'm wondering if my ABS/Traction control is about to go.

I concur with most of the last post though. Fix the problems before you upgrade.

I do think rear disc brakes would be better and cheaper than large front discs.

Does your ABS or traction control work?
not @ moment, but i think its a rotation sensor or something Did it make a humming sound before it went out?
no, just lights lit up, no noises, & b4, iever had any complaints with TC or ABS worked fine, till i put rims on...