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Hi guys....
Just wanted everyone to know my opinion of the IPD rear overload coil springs.
Tonight I finally took care of the final major problem that I have had with my brick. From the time that I first got the car I have been annoyed by two things: 1. The rear of the car sat lower than the front of the car (not much but noticeable if looking for it) and 2. The steering was very touchy, giving an out of control feel while going down the road.
Well after reading nearly every post concerning coil springs I figured it was worth a try to buy a set of the IPD overload springs.
From previous posts I knew that worn trailing arm bushings could also cause rear sag, but even though my car has 278,000 miles on it the trailing arm bushings still look good and I've never noticed any annoying clunks or thuds from the rear end.
Well after installation (which only took about an hour and a half from start to finish) I have to admit that I'm thoroughly amazed at the results.
I've gained a full 3/4" lift on the rear of the car and the front of the car actually DROPPED about an 1/8". Now the car sits as it should and looks about a hundred times better than before. Just for the look I'm satisfied with the $100.00 spent on the springs.
What I wasn't expecting is the improvement in both the ride and the handling.
Now I don't notice that "out of control" feel in the steering. It now drives as good as our newer family van, if not a little better.
Also, the ride feels so much better than before. Where before the car felt VERY soft in both the front and the back, now there is a noticeable stiffness to the car that I really like, and keep in mind that this is with the ORIGINAL shocks and struts that came with the car nearly 300,000 miles ago!
My next project will be to replace the front springs and the shocks and struts. I have no problem replacing the shocks myself but I'm pretty sure that I've already decided to let our family mechanic do the front of the car.
Even though I've gained tons of confidence in my mechanical ability I just don't feel safe trying the struts so even though it will probably cost me $50.00 to $100.00 to have him do it.... it still seems worth it.
Once again the brickboard gave me the confidence to give this repair a try and I went into it pretty sure that my $100.00 was not going to be wasted. I just can't say enough about how valuable this forum can be to the average backyard mechanic.
Hopefully this post will help someone else who has similar problem with their car.
My opinion is that if the rear of your car is sagging and the trailing arm bushings still look good and aren't clunking......well it would be hard to spend a hundred dollars any better than on a set of these IPD springs.
Hope this helps someone else and thanks to the brickboard for the helpful archives concerning this repair.
Dave
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I dream of a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned.
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