Suspension Over-haul

[Gee-Otto]

Ok i got a 97 GA GT 2.4L Manual. The suspension has been the same since i had the car i want to replace the Struts up front and the shocks in the back. simple.. But i got the thinkin how much more work and money would it cost to lower it maybe 1.5 in the front and 1 inch in the rear? NOthing too dramatic. The one thing that alludes me is the type of strut and shock package that does that for me? Do they make a shorter strut ? shock? So i ask you GA owner faithfulls how to go about this. Oh and not talkin the actual instal that isnt my problem just where to find the right parts


thanks

[MantaGreen97]

What you're after (to lower the car) is springs... Lowering springs are made by a few different companies for your car and cost between $150-$300 depending on which ones you get. Eibachs are most expensive but they don't give much of a drop and aren't worth it IMO.

As for the shocks and struts the most recommended and used for Grand Ams of this generation are KYB GR2 struts up front and KYB Gas-A-Just shocks in the rear. There are others like Monroe Sens-A-Trac and Gabriel but KYBs are most popular I think. If it's the original shocks in the rear they were probably worn out when the car was 4yrs old (mind definitely were!), so replacing those is a very good idea.

Changing the rear springs and struts is relatively easy, the front's are a little harder since they are McPherson struts (very common) which have the strut and spring as an assembly. Replacement of the strut requires that you decompress the spring assembly and separate the strut from the spring and mount. Then replace the spring (with the lowering one in your case) and recompress the assembly.

Finally a front-end alignment is required one that's all complete.

To save money on installation, you could either do the rear yourself and have a shop do the front, or you could do the whole car and then just get it aligned.

If you go with the KYBs mentioned they run between $50-80/piece for the front struts and around $30-40 for each rear shock. So that's a total of perhaps $200 there. Add another $200 for the springs and you're at ~$400. Then add your cost of installation and alignment (whatever that may be) and thats about what you're looking at.

Part numbers for the shocks/struts along with other suspension suggestions should be easily found with a forum search ;)

[55will87]

Alignment for my car for all 4 corners was 62.00 at Belle Tire. I only went there because I get free tire rotation and the alignment is guaranteed for 6 months.