94 Eldo w/ Arnott & Eibach PROBLEMS!

[ion]

Had a pair of Arnott passive struts (front) installed, then later that year had Eibach 1" lowering coils installed. Ever since the ride is horrible! I've been through 2 sets of front strut mounts since this occured and so far, noone has been able to fix the problem. The ride clunks and rattles every time the car hits bumps and because the strut mounts haven't lasted more than a year, one mechanic came to the conclusion that the mounts are taking the brunt of the shock absorbtion duties. The same mech. stated the struts were not indexed properly, then claimed to re-index them perfectly. The ride was, for the first time, very nice, but after less than a week, the ride was back to being rigid, clunking and riding on the strut mounts.

Anyone?

[Po Pimp]

What you are describing sounds like the "stabilizer bar links". These are a connecting bar between the spindle and the stabilizer bar.

The only reason I would not point my finger straight at them is that you said it drove good after installing the last strut mounts.

[ion]

Originally Posted by Po Pimp

What you are describing sounds like the "stabilizer bar links". These are a connecting bar between the spindle and the stabilizer bar.

The only reason I would not point my finger straight at them is that you said it drove good after installing the last strut mounts.

Hi and thanks for your input, but all that linkage was replaced a year ago. In fact, bushings, spindles and all linkage / mounting hardware has been replaced within the last year to 18 months. The front end acted normally for less than a week before it reverted back to the same old clunking and stiff ride it had prior to having the new strut mounts installed and struts being indexed once again. It seems like the springs are not stying put, which I believe accounts for the struts going out of proper indexing position.

[Dooman]

It sounds like the old "you gotta pay to play". It may look nice but you're giving up all the suspension travel they designed in to the car..It's a heavy car and I imagine the lowering springs must be stiff as hell. I though of this route a few years ago but have not read a good review of the handling after a swap.

[Danwec]

You beat me to that... I'm laughing. Heavy front end with higher spring and dampening rates, combined with less travel and your compaining that the ride is crap?? Hee hee.
Most cars out there (especially made before 2000 or so) are grossly underdamped, but the spring rates are fine... the only way you'll get a upgrade in the handling/control department and still have a good quality ride in that car is to keep the stock springs and try to get stiffer-than-stock shocks. That setup, IMO, will yield a ride that's every bit as supple as stock, but will be more controllable and less floaty. The best of both worlds!
Now... I just wish I could figure out a way to stiffen up the steering.... it's way too light and detached.