Suspension overhaul

[SilverZXIII]

First time venturing into the suspension section of the jet heh.

Anyway, have an 00 zx3, just hit 80,000 miles.

Back in the day, I went against advice and just put springs on the car, fk 60/40 kit to be exact. This was on the stock shocks/struts. Needless to say, I'm getting tired of the car bouncing all over the place, and just feeling overall loose. The shocks/struts are most likely blown, and it can get pretty dangerous with bumps on the highway and my car bouncing. The rear passenger side also clunks sometimes.

I'd like to buy the svt suspension kit, as its in my price range, and it works pretty good, however, what else should I be replacing to tighten up the car, and just normal suspension maintenance (bushing's, etc...) as I don't really know where to start.

[Foci_Fosho]

Your shocks are not most likely blown.
They are blown.

OEM shocks and struts will be worn very fast when lowered beyond spec.

I'd say mine went out within 5-8k miles after I dropped it.
I upgraded to KYB AGX, and these are suitable replacements up to a 2" drop.

I kinda wish I had gone with Koni's though.

If your plan is to go with the SVT kit, I really don't think you have anything else to check, except for perhaps the top mount strut bearing cap assembly.

[SilverZXIII]

Originally Posted by Foci_Fosho

Your shocks are not most likely blown.
They are blown.

OEM shocks and struts will be worn very fast when lowered beyond spec.

I'd say mine went out within 5-8k miles after I dropped it.
I upgraded to KYB AGX, and these are suitable replacements up to a 2" drop.

I kinda wish I had gone with Koni's though.

If your plan is to go with the SVT kit, I really don't think you have anything else to check, except for perhaps the top mount strut bearing cap assembly.

Yeah, I know they are gone. I wonder what my car looks like though when I hit a bump lol.

As for other things to replace, there isn't other bushings/parts to replace that are worn out in other places? I don't know, I am not to educated in the suspension department.

I basically want to get the car feeling brand new again, as I get jealous when I drive my dad's new mazda 3, and everything feels so tight.

[MillerTime]

You can look at sway bars, be cautious about the rear being to big.

The stock rear lower control arm (if thats what its called) if two big of a sway bar is used with softer springs (SVT I would still call soft) can break the arm in half (had this happen to me) SVT arms are reinforced in that area. I think If you go with a SVT suspension and a little larger Sway bars you will be quite happy.

EDIT: Also the Front End links that connect the control arm to the sway bar are rather sad liking MOOG makes some good heavy duty links that will further tighten up your suspension...

[SilverZXIII]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

You can look at sway bars, be cautious about the rear being to big.

The stock rear lower control arm (if thats what its called) if two big of a sway bar is used with softer springs (SVT I would still call soft) can break the arm in half (had this happen to me) SVT arms are reinforced in that area. I think If you go with a SVT suspension and a little larger Sway bars you will be quite happy.

EDIT: Also the Front End links that connect the control arm to the sway bar are rather sad liking MOOG makes some good heavy duty links that will further tighten up your suspension...

Yea, those MOOG links are pretty inexpensive.

[svtf02red]

Yeah, I think you would be very happy with the M-3000-ZX3 SVT full kit that comes with the rear bar - I doubt you'll find it necessary to immediately upgrade from the stock SVT bar. Order it up from Steve at Tousley.

[MillerTime]

I was unaware that the SVT kit comes with a new rear sway bar. Yea I would do what SVTf02red said. Order the SVT kit from Steve, and see how that does it for yea and then upgrade further from there.

[SilverZXIII]

So there really is nothing else under the car that needs replacing, besides those front end links?

[TimBrown]

When I replaced the suspension on my SE with the SVT kit, I was told to pick up the following by DisrupTer911:

2 upper front strut mounts & nuts
2 upper strut bearing/bushing
2 upper strut nuts
2 front swaybar endlinks

Call or PM Steve and order up the batch. It's probably your cheapest bet. The compromise between ride height and stiffness is fantastic. Those endlinks can either be OEM or Moog.. but I have no experience with the latter and can't comment.

Anything crazy like a 28mm RSB will get you into trouble with your rear lower control arms, as I think those are the one's that have broken with the large Steeda bar, etc (do a quick search for broken control arm, and you'll find it).

It'll feel like a brand new car.

The RSB that comes with the kit is the 21mm from the SVT, and could deal with some prothane/es poly endlinks, but that's not necessary.

[SilverZXIII]

Originally Posted by TimBrown

When I replaced the suspension on my SE with the SVT kit, I was told to pick up the following by DisrupTer911:

2 upper front strut mounts & nuts
2 upper strut bearing/bushing
2 upper strut nuts
2 front swaybar endlinks

Call or PM Steve and order up the batch. It's probably your cheapest bet. The compromise between ride height and stiffness is fantastic. Those endlinks can either be OEM or Moog.. but I have no experience with the latter and can't comment.

Anything crazy like a 28mm RSB will get you into trouble with your rear lower control arms, as I think those are the one's that have broken with the large Steeda bar, etc (do a quick search for broken control arm, and you'll find it).

It'll feel like a brand new car.

The RSB that comes with the kit is the 21mm from the SVT, and could deal with some prothane/es poly endlinks, but that's not necessary.

So those parts are all non-svt oem ford parts correct? Nvm, I can get them all from MOOG.

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com...od=MOOG-K80031
That includes the upper front strut mount/nuts/bushing/bearing.

Nothing on the rear needs to be replaced?

Also, what about prothane front sway bar bushings.

[TimBrown]

The only thing I replaced on the rear that didnt' come with the kit wasn't a replacement per se, I just threw in p-51's delrin shock shims. You can pm user P-51 to see if he is still making these, but if not, any rigid material (within reason) will work for taking away 1/2" or so gap causing some extra give in the rear suspension. You'll need to get it machined to the correct size, depth, obviously, and pop it into the rear shock tower at the top. It may not be a half inch, but I actually can't remember the dimensions off the top of my head.

Other than that the RSB endlinks are about it unless something is broken or deteriorated I suppose. I've had about 30,000km on my setup and it's a great ride for terrible streets.

As for the front sway bushings.. if you're not talking about the endlinks, then I'm not really sure. I've only removed my rear bar, as its much easier to get to, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in and let you know if they're worth it. If you read some of the threads on poly bushing sets, you'll see what trouble it's been for some to replace things like front control arm bushings, etc... and whether they've said it's worth it. Sometimes a new rubber oem replacment can be exactly what you're looking for in a tight dd ride.