OK, my rear leaf spring is cracked and I'd like to replace it witht he FFP CO's. It looks to me like they have the kit w/o the KYB's for 319.99 or w/ the KYB's for 479.99. I can get struts from tirerack shipped to me for 108 something so that seems like the best option, 319+108= 427 not 479.99 THe only problem I have is that the struts in the pic on tirerack don't look quite like the ones installed in the pictures on FFP. It is the rear struts that I want from tirerack correct? Do you have to cut part of the strut when you put the coilovers on? It looks like that piece about half way up the strut that sticks out is missing in the pictures of the CO's w/ the struts installed already. (Not sure what that piece of the strut is called) Anyone done this that could shed a little light on the topic for me? {I'll post links to both places at the bottom of this post} Also, has anyone installed the rear strut tower braces from GMpartsdirect (the regal f-bar kit) w/ the coilovers installed? It seems liek it should't be that terribly hard to do but just checking. It won't matter that the rear leaf is cracked correct, since the CO's replace the rear leaf? How hard is it to install these parts for someone who's never done it before really? Also, with the new struts and such, should I still need to replace the old rubber insert piece in the top of the old strut covers that clunks?
KYB's on tirerack:
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/Susptabl.jsp?category=Shocks&scat=Shocks&scat=BootMount&autoMake=Pontiac&autoModel=Grand+Prix+SE+Coupe&autoModClar=&autoYear=1990&brand=all&perfcat=premium&perfcat=perf&x=75&y=12
FFP Coil-overs:
http://www.fastfwdperformance.com/co.htm
Strut tower braces:
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com (Part number: 12456148)
ok, sorry, that was a lot of questions, not a few..... lol :oops:
The struts on TireRack.com are KYB's generic photo of the struts. The TGP rear Struts are a basic design with the mounting flange on the bottom (to mount to the spindle assembly) and the threaded stud out the top. Only thing I am curious to know is how FFP gets the lower spring stop to mount flush to the KYB strut without machining. I have never seen a complete FFP coil-over strut so I do not know if machining is required... 8)
*edit* I see the picture now from their site of the completed coil-over...looks nice... 8)
With the leaf-spring out of the picture I would definitely make sure you get a high quality strut tower brace for the rear. All the weight of the rear is now on the strut towers and they were not designed to carry all the load... 8)