Suspension Overhaul

Nacho · Post by **Nacho** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:51 am

Couldn't seem to find any info using the searches so I hope this topic hasn't been covered before.

Almost 185000kms and I think it's time to renew some of the suspension components. I'm well aware of what springs and dampers are but it's the other stuff I'm not so clued up about.

So my main question is which components would need renewing if I wanted to make my suspension almost new again? (excluding springs and dampers)

All I can think of are droplinks and bushes.........

Also, how many parts for the front and rear? Where to buy them from?

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:55 am

.....*sigh*...... LOL here we go again.

Im apparently the resident suspension expert here. I'll dig up the threads for you. I've replaced just about everything in the last couple of months!

Just give me a few hours

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:04 am

I was reading all about this last night as I'm planning to do the same thing.

Basically you can replace:
Shocks
Springs
Swaybars
Bushes
Droplinks
Pillow tops

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:38 am

BuCkEt wrote:I was reading all about this last night as I'm planning to do the same thing.

Basically you can replace:
Shocks
Springs
Swaybars
Bushes
Droplinks
Pillow tops

And to elaborate:
Basically you can replace:
Shocks - KYB gas, Monroe, Pedders (all make ones that will fit)

Springs - Tein or King or Apex or Whietline (all make replacements for stock or lowered height)

Swaybars - Whiteline or Kmac (almost the same product)

Bushes - Ones that require replacement most often: Front Sway bar bushes (2) Rear swaybar bushes (2) Lower control arm bushes - Front of the arm (2) Lower control arm bushes - rear of the arm (2) (this bush is slightly different for GPvR and post 97 facelifts) Superflex make the poly bushes. I have part numbers if you need.

Bushes that rarely need replacing - Rear link arms (2 per side, both have 2 press fitted bushes in each) very $$$. Rear shock lower connector bush (primarily replaced when replacing the shock) Rear control arm pivot bush.

Droplinks - Front and rear (also available for standard or lowered height) Also worth noting rear droplinks are different on a GR - its more of a bush set.

Pillow tops - or as the stock units are more reffered to as strut tops. Full replacement also comes with the bearing surfaces that mate up to the shocks. Front is usually the cultprit the goes, rears I've not heard of that often. Upgrading to pillow tops can be done with either Tein or Cusco - there are others out there like Ralliart but much harder to find.

You could just go nuts & buys coilovers too.... Teins, Cusco, D2s....
Mind you the doesnt eliminate the need for bushes, droplinks & swaybars.

Last threads:
http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pic&t=5944

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pic&t=6410

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:04 pm

Bennoz wrote:
BuCkEt wrote:Shocks - KYB gas, Monroe, Pedders (all make ones that will fit)

What does "all make ones that will fit" means? Is there a universal fit? I would like to get KYB gas ones but was having trouble with finding the part numbers before. When I call KYB they said they don't make shockers for FTOs, however, I know some lancer one fits correctly. But not sure of the part number.

Teania · Post by **Teania** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:23 pm

I have KYB shockers in my FTO.

Unique Auto Sports in NSW sell them 02 9634 8000 - and I heard somewhere that RPW in Perth also now have them.....?? I think???

KYB don't actually list them for the FTO, but they do fit - I dont have the part number sorry

Cheers
Tanya

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:31 pm

Shocks are not always sold to fit cars in particular either, they are a very generic thing. Ie you need one that is x diamtetre, with this type of plunger, with x travel and y threaded fitting welded to spot z - with an xyz damping effect. The above ones I mentioned are ones that I've heard of being fit. Its the only bit I didnt need to replace.

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:33 pm

Teania wrote:I have KYB shockers in my FTO.

Unique Auto Sports in NSW sell them 02 9634 8000 - and I heard somewhere that RPW in Perth also now have them.....?? I think???

KYB don't actually list them for the FTO, but they do fit - I dont have the part number sorry

Cheers
Tanya

Thanks Tanya, Great Info.
I had a chat with RPW actually, they did confirm to sell shockers for FTO.
Only if i can find a seller in Melbourne.
I can get them cheaper here if I knew the part number, plus dont have to pay for the postage from Perth.

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:57 pm

BILSTEIN Also make shocks for the FTO, they do however cost an arm and a leg.

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:02 pm

f**k pete we were just havin this convo, ive heard teins are the way to go but how those kybs treating you kaz? and how much did they sting you?

FTOluv · Post by **FTOluv** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:49 pm

i dont know why people like Teins. They are so freakin crap and everyone thats had them has ended up changing for something else

Post by **dstocks** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:03 pm

BILSTEIN Also make shocks for the FTO, they do however cost an arm and a leg

Ive got the Bilsteins. They dont make them anymore though (As a production run). Youd be lucky to find a set now. (I got the last set in VIC about 18mths ago).

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:08 pm

I heard great things about KYBs from Tanya, Kaz, and Steve.
Steve does track work as well, which he was happy about the KYB performance

It is KYB Excel-G series shockers, but I dont know the part number

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:39 pm

Bennoz wrote:Shocks are not always sold to fit cars in particular either, they are a very generic thing. Ie you need one that is x diamtetre, with this type of plunger, with x travel and y threaded fitting welded to spot z - with an xyz damping effect. The above ones I mentioned are ones that I've heard of being fit. Its the only bit I didnt need to replace.

Bennoz wrote:Im apparently the resident suspension expert here.

sounds expert to me.

Nacho · Post by **Nacho** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:41 pm

Sorry to annoy you Ben!

Maybe we can do something to improve the search engine on this forum?

Actually my main query was actually about UV and CV joints.......can any suspension place fix/renew those things? Or do you have to buy those specific parts brand new?

d_stroy_r · Post by **d_stroy_r** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:46 pm

Bilstein also make coil-overs for FTO.

Doesnt cost an arm an leg just your balls

I think they gor $1500 to $2000......for one corner.

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:56 pm

d_stroy_r wrote:Bilstein also make coil-overs for FTO.

Doesnt cost an arm an leg just your balls

I think they gor $1500 to $2000......for one corner.

*Falls on the floor drooling and shaking uncontrollably*

What I'd give to be able to whack that big BILSTEIN sticker on my car!

One of the very few stickers I would actually stick on my precious.

I was quoted 1900ish dollars just for Bilstein shocks at all four.....that's with some King's springs and labour. I might have a chat to my local supplier and see what he'd quote.

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:02 pm

mxysxy wrote:
Bennoz wrote:Shocks are not always sold to fit cars in particular either, they are a very generic thing. Ie you need one that is x diamtetre, with this type of plunger, with x travel and y threaded fitting welded to spot z - with an xyz damping effect. The above ones I mentioned are ones that I've heard of being fit. Its the only bit I didnt need to replace.

Bennoz wrote:Im apparently the resident suspension expert here.

sounds expert to me.

ROFL - get your hand off it Max

Nacho wrote:Sorry to annoy you Ben!

Maybe we can do something to improve the search engine on this forum?

Actually my main query was actually about UV and CV joints.......can any suspension place fix/renew those things? Or do you have to buy those specific parts brand new?

Good god man!! The only thing that needs improving is your technical vocabulary!!

FFS a CV or Uni joint is NOT a suspension component, but part of the drive train!

Im sorry, I'll try not to be a smartarse (like max!) LOL

Uni-joints are a universal thing. They can be reco'ed pretty easily, a CV is a bit more difficult. Once the outer shell (or housing) of a CV goes, its pretty much bin time. Although I am not 100% sure, I would hazard a guess as to the fact that other mitsubishi's have the same CVs in them. Drive shafts will most certainly differ, but the CV may be common. They are an very expensive item from a manufacturing & mass production point of view. If they can use an existing design, they will.

Breza · Post by **Breza** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:13 pm

I have done all the bushes, shocks, springs, braces and droplinks on mine.

Totally different car now.................should have down it when I first bought it.

You can purchase all bushes online through Whiteline if you are lazy like me, Superpro have a list which cross references their part number with mitsu part numbers so you can be sure everything will fit. The FTO shares a lot of the front end with EVO III.

was quoted 1900ish dollars just for Bilstein shocks at all four.....that's with some King's springs and labour. I might have a chat to my local supplier and see what he'd quote.

My Koni Yellow's and Kings Spring were about the same................

Make sure you get some camber bolts and an anti-lift kit, will definately notice the difference.

Cheers

Chris

wildfaye · Post by **wildfaye** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 4:17 pm

Hi, I have a set of Whiteline antilift kit for sale (prefacelift FTOs) only.

Please refer to the following link:

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... ic&p=72419

Cheers
Sam

FTO AUSTRALIA

Suspension Overhaul

Suspension Overhaul

Bilsteins

Whiteline KCA317A Anti-lift/caster kit (Bushes) for sale