Lowering a Malibu
- Thread starter loneagle
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I would also see if it will put the suspension too close to the bump stops using a little trigonometry. You don't want to handle on the bump stops as it can make for unpredictable behavior in cornering due to an essentially infinite spring rate. Those stock GM springs, especially on cars without the FE-2 or F-41 code suspension packages are a little too soft to cut down enough to lower it by 2 inches safely. You also will encounter a loss of caster in the alignment if you lower it aggressively which leads to a lack of high speed stability. I found this out the hard way when I installed lowering springs in my Cutlass. My solution (Not yet implemented) is a set of Global West upper arms with offset cross shafts and a set of B body spindles and 12 in rotors from a 1LE Camaro. I have the arms, but am waiting to paint the car before I install them, and other new parts so as not to risk getting them covered in overspray.
If you're going to take the time to remove and reinstall them, I'd get firmer springs. Stock springs that are cut usually reduce to a buggy like ride. I did it my Monte and learned the lesson.
85, I'd be more worried about hacking up the paint installing the arms more than overspray! You just gotta mask everything off.
85, I'd be more worried about hacking up the paint installing the arms more than overspray! You just gotta mask everything off.
like they said , if you put the time to remove the springs & to cut them ,
and those springs are rusty & sagged, may as well invest 200.00 in new
upgrade springs like suspension techniques ....done for life after!
that's what i did ......
you may not think of it , but it's quite a job to remove & install these
Dan
and those springs are rusty & sagged, may as well invest 200.00 in new
upgrade springs like suspension techniques ....done for life after!
that's what i did ......
you may not think of it , but it's quite a job to remove & install these
Dan
Well, after reading all of your suggestions, it looks like I'll just buy a set for the front and see how it goes!
I wrench on school buses for a living and comparatively the Malibu is like working on a toy. Still gotta be safe though! 🙂
Thanks for the input!
I wrench on school buses for a living and comparatively the Malibu is like working on a toy. Still gotta be safe though! 🙂
Thanks for the input!
If your lowering it for performance then deffinitly hold out and buy performance springs and save your self from doing things twice. I cut mine cause i like to ride low and only did it cause it was free and its temporary. I plan on doing full airride in the future.
1) was talking about both front & rear
2) you are right ...i should have known you pay half of what we pay up north ;-(
2) you are right ...i should have known you pay half of what we pay up north ;-(
hey, there is nothing wrong with cutting your springs when they are in place! ...well okay, maybe there is alot wrong with it. it was a little dangerous. but ive done it with positive results. did it on a 62 c10. man, got that thing lowww. but the ride was horrible.
anyway, where can i pick up some of these moog springs people are talking about?
anyway, where can i pick up some of these moog springs people are talking about?
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