88 Carrera spring plates and bushings

[FA-18C]

I accumulated the parts, and had every intention of tacking the spring plates, drop links, sway bar bushings and hardware refresh. Then, moving forward to passenger control arm (drivers is 18 months old), sway bar bushings, ball joints and turbo tie rods. BUT - the job has too high a demand, and so I am going to have the local shop tackle for me so that I can save my knees and back, clean the garage, and drive it. Will also have him set the ride height and adjust the alignment/corner balance. Will add 21mm wheel spacers in the back as well.

I have all new hardware, Rennline adjustable spring plates and parts for all of it, including the spring plate covers. So with recent all new brakes and shocks, this completes the refresh of the suspension.

The steering rack was serviced 18 months ago.

Is there anything I am missing, or makes sense from a "while you are in there."?

Engine and tranny mounts are new, clutch has 2K on it...fuel pump is 18 months, check valve and tank strainer were all done...

Planning on setting the ride height down a touch from where it is not, now slamming it so that I don't prang the front on the driveway and at work.

Thanks for the inputs.

[PeteKz]

Ahh, the "while you're in there" slippery slope. It sounds like you got the big things. If you plan to lower, even I little, I'd go up to 26mm rear bars, and 20-21 in the front, if you haven't already. Even so, I'm not a fan of lowering beyond "Euro height" because it changes the suspension geometry adversely (if you really want to lower the front, get raised spindles). I use the adjustable Koni Sport shocks all around with my stiffer bars and like 'em.

What condition are the banana arm bushings in? I'm still using my OE ones and they appear okay. However, I was advised by William Knight not to change to monoballs or other stiff bushings because those increase the harshness of the ride.

IIRC, you're close to the same age as me, and getting up and down off the garage floor dozens of times a day can lead to knee pain (thanks for Vitamin I). Let a shop do it and spend your remaining TUC (time of useful consciousness) driving the snot out of it.

[FA-18C]

I need to check my notes, but believe I will be maybe 1/4” above euro ride height. Rear control arm bushings look surprisingly good. I will never track the car, just local area highway and mountain runs.

[famoroso]

Who serviced the rack?

[FA-18C]

The previous owner put the car back into service after sitting for 13 years. $18K in work including entirely replacing every component in the brakes new from dealer, shocks all around, driver control arm, they cleaned and serviced the steering rack at that point. Also did all of the oil hardlines. Since then I went through the fuel system - lines, injectors were rebuilt, FPR and damper etc..

Steering is pretty good - but 35 years into it, ball joints and turbo tie rods should refresh that front for the long haul.

[wazzz]

With turbo tie rods, you can add a bump steer kit to raise the rack by 10 mm or so. You may not need it. Depends how far you are lowering the front. This is basically two big washers (10mm thick) and two longer bolts that replace the original bolts. ER is selling this kit if I remember well.

I added it to my car when I installed turbo tie rods, because it was euro ride height as standard and I had it lowered some more both front and rear.

[FA-18C]

Good call on the bump steer kit. I do not think I plan on dropping it that low, but would rather have it on hand should it be needed.

[aoncurly]

I had Elephant Racing do almost the same thing as you on my 1981SC. You will need the bump steer kit. Mine was lowered to exactly what you mentioned - 1/4" above Euro. Even at that height, I have to be careful not scraping as I exit my driveway apron. But at least to my eyes, the stance looks way better than what I had previously set at 1/4" below Euro and constantly scraping in and out of my not steep driveway. One thing I don't see on your list are the camber plate bushings. Also, you might want to consider new struts and shocks. I also had Elephant powder coat a bunch of parts like the control arms and mounts, front nerf bar, sway bar, AC grill and front suspension pan.

[FA-18C]

All new adjustable spring plates and bushings. Shocks are a year old. Have bumpsteer kit route from elephant. Thanks for the recommendations!