hello fellow olds lovers. My 1970 w30 is being restored , and it has come to the point where i need to make a choice on suspension. Don't want to do the rest mod thing. just good shocks and spring. car has factory sway bar, and has factory heavy duty suspension. would like to find a spring, and shock package that would give stock ride height, with some handling advantages in quality which the oem stuff didn't have 40 years ago, but looks stock. Any suggestions would help thank you.

 

If you do a lot of searches on here you'll see most of the guys went/suggest Moog springs. I also did Moogies after reading one of the DYI's on here for front suspension rebuild (link below). I went with the heavy duty Moog springs in this post. I like the ride and it gave me a nice stance on the car. I'm sure others will chime in with their preferences.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...t-end-job.html

 

Let’s pipe up on the shocks! I could use that advice too. My current ride, a stock 68 442, has been through 4 sets of different brand name shocks up front. None have been able to get rid of the "float" from the front suspension when traveling down the road at higher speeds 40 & up. Monroe, KYB, Delco, Gabriel, no luck. The front chassis is all stock rubber moog stuff rebuilt (20 years ago now with less than 10K miles since!) The rear end is all poly with Monroe’s and rides nice, though a little stiff with the poly. I thinking maybe the poly rear might be transferring chassis dynamics towards the front but I’m thinking a good shock should dampen the redundant rebound effect regardless? A shock should only allow one up down oscillation if it’s any good and properly sized (valved).
I’m thinking maybe time to step up to Edelbrocks, QA1, Belltech, Koni??? Anybody able to cure the float, what did you use? I’m sure jb70w30 could use this advice too, to avoid what I've had to do. Please share.

 

Okay Ill try I have the moogs all around 5450 in front unsure on the rear Part # but the car sits ~1/2" higher in the rear (Perfect IMHO)

I also run the edlebrocks all around w no float even at 60mph on the back road risers.

I also have boxed rear arms w poly and front suspension rebuilt this year (under 500 miles ) w MOOG rubber parts

lastly 1 1/4" fr sway bar and 1" rear bar

its doesnt make 1 up and down oscillation it goes down and comes up (ok maybe thats one LOL)

 

My car came with KYB shocks and I don't care for them. They are not progressive enough. Its makes the car crash over bumps.

 

Springs = MOOG 5450 front, 5385 rear

Shocks:

Money no object = Koni

Second choice = Bilstein

I have Edelbrock IAS on my 442, and they are great. No longer made.

 

I have the Edelbrocks on mine. I like them. However, I didn't know that they were not made any longer.

 

Lady's Bilsteins give a comfortable ride. Not harsh but not floaty at all. Very modern feel.

 

The bilstein's are about 120 for a pair correct? I can bounce the rear end of my car and hear air squishing out =0 I'm wanting to do this soon =)

 

Yep, thats what I paid.
It is normal to hear the squishing sound a little. Try to get the car bouncing up and down by pressing on the bumper. After you let go, it should not bounce more than 2 times on its own. If it does, the shocks need replacement.

 

mine's like a trampoline =/ =0 the front are good though! =D rear is an easy quick job so that's on the list say monday morning....

oh and what about those load adjusting gabriel's for 110 a pair? they have coil over springs on them.....

 

Unless you plan on hauling a trailer or a heavy load a lot, those coil overs would be overkill IMO - too rough... Bilsteins give a comfy yet well-controlled ride.

 

Sounds like the bilsteins will be just fine for what I want. Not to hard not too soft =P

I just don't want to go over another set of RR Tracks and bob up and down for a mile afterwords....

 

I have Moog front and rear springs and KYB shocks front and rear. I totally regretted for putting poly urethanes bushngs front and rear and upper and lower. It makes the car ride really hard. The streets in NYC is painful for my car.

 

I found that even with new Moog rubber bushings everywhere, 442 spec springs, and stock size radial tires, the ride is a just a bit too rough for me. Standard springs would have helped.
Sure glad i did not go with poly bushings!

 

well I ended up with monroe's =( i didn't want to but nobody had specifically what i wanted in stock and me being a bit impatient i grabbed 'em. I will say the ride is 100% better than before. Just how long are these going to last? =P While I was under there, (under where?) haha made u say "underwear" anyway......I was checking everything else out and this car for being a 85 and raised in Illinois - there is only surface rust in a few places. It looks to have been undercoated at one point and time and has held up rather well. I'm going to spray it with bedliner when I get the time.

 

Monroes are good driver shocks and should last many years. I put Monroes on my '86 back int he 90s and it rides very good - smooth like an Olds should ride.

 

I have found over the years that a good ride/handling compromise is poly on the sway bars and OE spec rubber on the bushings. It really tightens up handling without degrading the ride. I have also run Bilsteins & Konis on various vehicles, and have been pleased.
I currently have KYBs on the 442 and they are very harsh - too much rebound, I think. New rear springs- Moog 442 springs. Not sure what the fronts are yet.