Wagon Suspension

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mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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After asking multiple questions regarding the front suspension in my wagon on this site and a few FB groups I decided to take out the 2" dropped spindles and unknown springs and start fresh. I can get a set of OEM spindles from the local yard Ive been dealing with. Theres a few G bodies still there with full front suspensions. Im going out there tomorrow to see how much he'll get to pull a set. Im assuming all the spindles are the same through Regals, Montes and Cutlasses ? Either way, it just seems easier that going back and forth with tire/wheel sizes. I'd like to keep the dropped look but it just seems like too much BS to get the look I wanted. One of the guys has 245/40/18s on the front and rear on an 18x8 rim with a 0 offset and they dont look bad. The good part is he says they dont rub at all.
Since I dont really know what springs are on the front I'll probably wind up getting a new set. Anyone running a combo like that ? Can you give me a part number for front springs ?
 

Ribbedroof

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I have Moog 5660s in mine, with 245/50-16s. This is same width, but 1.8mm smaller diameter than the 245/40-18s. Fit fine, but probably not as low as you want.

I have always had issue with tires rubbing the liners with the OE-spec springs when tires were bigger than the OE 195 or 205-14s, so i like a pretty high rate. But then again, i drive mine like a car, not a lowered fartcan-mobile....ie, no stopping and crawling over minor bumps or dips.

With a zero offset 8" wheel, I'd check-fit one before committing to them. The very bottom of the fender ahead of the wheel is always a tight spot with bigger tires, as it does not follow the radius of the tire like the MC or Pontiac cars do. My old blue wagon ran the same wheels/tires as my current one, but with oE springs, and would scrape while turning in reverse. It was sorta lowish due to age.

Both are all iron SBC with A/C

waglt.jpg


dsc04009r.jpg
 
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mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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I have Moog 5660s in mine, with 245/50-16s. This is same width, but 1.8mm smaller diameter than the 245/40-18s. Fit fine, but probably not as low as you want.

I have always had issue with tires rubbing the liners with the OE-spec springs when tires were bigger than the OE 195 or 205-14s, so i like a pretty high rate. But then again, i drive mine like a car, not a lowered fartcan-mobile....ie, no stopping and crawling over minor bumps or dips.

With a zero offset 8" wheel, I'd check-fit one before committing to them. The very bottom of the fender ahead of the wheel is always a tight spot with bigger tires, as it does not follow the radius of the tire like the MC or Pontiac cars do. My old blue wagon ran the same wheels/tires as my current one, but with oE springs, and would scrape while turning in reverse. It was sorta lowish due to age.

Both are all iron SBC with A/C

View attachment 178676

dsc04009r.jpg
Im not sure if the guys on this forum but this is his wagon. He says no rubbing at all.

1624823211354.png
 
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Ribbedroof

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Might be just low enough to get that extra little bit of clearance where the tire rolls back (bottom of fender below center of spindle)

Good looking wagon. You should invite him on to the forum.

Kind looks like what I'm looking to buy as seen in my WTB thread
 
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ssn696

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Me too. No roof rack. I have to drop the headliner to weld up the bolt holes, then if I were to sell it, a buyer might complain since it had no roof rack…

I like Ribbedroof’s dark blue one. Reminds me of my old one back in the day…
 
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Longroof79

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Im not sure if the guys on this forum but this is his wagon. He says no rubbing at all.

That's a sweet looking '79 Malibu. I like the root beer color. ,,and the wheels, of course. It would be nice to see it on the forum as a new member's car.
 

mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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Might be just low enough to get that extra little bit of clearance where the tire rolls back (bottom of fender below center of spindle)

Good looking wagon. You should invite him on to the forum.

Kind looks like what I'm looking to buy as seen in my WTB thread
This guy has a page dedicated to the build. I'll send him a FB message telling him to get on here.
I like the look of his car. I would switch to polished rims due to the color of my car though. Mine needs "something" to bring it to life and I think polished or chrome rims would do it.
 

mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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Just remember to avoid the '78 spindles so you don'y need to buy '78 spec rotors & tie rods.
Thanks. Didnt even think of that. Pretty sure most of the cars left in the yard are 83 and newer. The Cutlass sedan I got my seat out of is a pretty low mile car. Maybe I can talk the owner into getting them from that one. If not they just got a later Monte SS in that got hit on the side.
 

Ribbedroof

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Me too. No roof rack. I have to drop the headliner to weld up the bolt holes, then if I were to sell it, a buyer might complain since it had no roof rack…

I like Ribbedroof’s dark blue one. Reminds me of my old one back in the day…
You and my youngest both. I gave it to a friend when I bought the second Bonneville wagon because he was looking for something to put an engine that he had in. He passed away back in December, still had it, but his family is a bunch of flakes, so I didn't ask about it. And it was a Kansas City car, had some rot issues in the rockers and some scabs.

Dangit, I love me some wagons!
 
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