| From | Message |
Yardie
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/15/2003
05:05:14
|
 Subject: Suspension Problems
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a set of western chassis super a arms on my 99 dodge dakota r/t. About six months ago, I noticed a good sized crack on the drivers side a arm just behind the front wheel. I called western chassis and they were nice enough to sell me a single a arm (I didnt have to buy two) at a wholesale price. When I got the a arm in the mail, I was not completely unsuprised to find that they had redisigned the arm. Now six months later I have found a crack in the passenger side arm. Now my problem is, the person who put the drivers side on, is no longer available, and i cant find anyone to help me with the work. I am seriously considering doing the job myself, but I have never undertaken such a major job on my truck. Do I need to use a coil spring compressor, or can i just put the truck on blocks and use a floor jack to support the a arm, then remove the spring. Also, how hard will it be to reuse the exsisting ball joints?
new to this, but learning fast
|
DrewzR/T
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/15/2003
10:38:11
|  RE: Suspension Problems
IP: Logged
Message:
It would be much safer to use a compressor especially if your new to working on suspensions. Some guys on here will tell ya you can do it without using a compressor but it isnt as safe as using a compressor.
OK how old are the ball joints that are on there? Should be easy to change those out since they should be attatched with bolts if you alreaDY have aftermarket a arms.
|
matt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/15/2003
17:57:23
|  RE: Suspension Problems
IP: Logged
Message:
drewzrt, or anyone else out there. i have a 2000 cc r/t and i want to lower it 1-2in the front and 2-3 in back. what is the best way to do this without loosing too much ride quality and handling?
Also my extended warranty company said that if i did anything with the suspension that i would void my warrany on my axle and tranny. now for me to do this i need to hear from some people who know what they are talkin bout that the suspension parts would cause any extra stress or harm on those things. i am going off to college in a year and i cant afford to be fixing up a tranny and still pay for college. any help is greatly appreciated. thanks.
|
Matt99Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/15/2003
20:17:50
| RE: Suspension Problems
IP: Logged
Message:
For the front, you should use either coils or control arms. For only a 1 or 2" drop, they won't change the ride quality that much.
For the back, i'd use 2" shackles, and if you want to go 3", just add on a 1" block. They cost like $20 or something like that.
And to maintain the best ride, get dropped shocks too. They will certinaly help you out in the comfort area.
|
DrewzR/T
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/17/2003
00:03:18
| RE: Suspension Problems
IP: Logged
Message:
matt.... If I were you I would go with Hotchkis 2 inch drop coils in the front. That would lower your R/T another inch in front because its already lowered with 1 inch coils from the factory) You dont want to go to low because you'll start goin through ball joints and tie rod ends like crazy. Trust me Ive had mine lowered 3 in front and 3 3/4 in back for about a year now and its a mess. I am trying to raise mine up an inch all the way around because of it.
fOR THE BACK YOU SHOULD GO WITH THE 3" HOTCHKIS LEAFS. They are expensive but well worth it. Plus they keep your pinion angle on your rear end the same. With the Hotchkis leafs they actually come with 4 shims on each side that actually lower your truck 4 inches in back. I plan on taking one more shim outta the back of mine and raising the front to bring it to a 2 inch in front and 3 1/@ in back for a level ride. Right now mine sits a bit lower in front.
For shocks the best i would say are the bilsteins but these are very expensive. You'll have to ask around about which shocks are best.
And remember you can sell you old springs and make some of your money back. I sold my old leaf springs for 125 bucks which made the price of my hotchkis springs like 150 bucks. Not bad if you ask me.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
