I took a little time this weekend to get a couple past due projects done on the '93. Replace the sway bar links in the rear and install new rear shocks and mounts. I figured I'd take some pics and make a post that may help someone in the future.
This is one of the original sway bar links.
I'm thinking it needed replaced...
The new replacement links were purchased from SCP and are meant for lowered vehicles. The shorter link keeps the sway bar in a more horizontal position. Here is a comparison...
I added some washers to make it about a quarter inch longer...
Next, onto replacing the tired old rear shocks. With 130K+ miles on them, I figure they're due.
Being a '93 with adjustable damping shocks, the removal is a bit more than that usually encountered. Here is a pic of the top of the shock assembly inside the trunk...
You depress the tabs on the side of the actuator and simply lift it off the top.
Next you remove the nut and bracket. Then it's a simple matter of removing the two nuts holding the isolator mount to the body of the car. No need to remover the nut from the stem of the shock.
Here is a comparison of the Bilstein shocks I chose to replace them with and the new top mount.
Here's what it looks like installed.
The test ride confirmed the results. The ride was much more controlled with a hint of harshness over rough roads. It handles the twists and turns with much more confidence now. Between the bracework and these new additions, I think the suspension is coming along nicely. Next up on the list is replacing the rear control arm bushings.
Anyone need a pair of used '93 original rear shocks?
They're still functional with no apparent defects but they are much softer than the Bilsteins that replaced them.
This is one of the original sway bar links.
I'm thinking it needed replaced...
The new replacement links were purchased from SCP and are meant for lowered vehicles. The shorter link keeps the sway bar in a more horizontal position. Here is a comparison...
I added some washers to make it about a quarter inch longer...
Next, onto replacing the tired old rear shocks. With 130K+ miles on them, I figure they're due.
Being a '93 with adjustable damping shocks, the removal is a bit more than that usually encountered. Here is a pic of the top of the shock assembly inside the trunk...
You depress the tabs on the side of the actuator and simply lift it off the top.
Next you remove the nut and bracket. Then it's a simple matter of removing the two nuts holding the isolator mount to the body of the car. No need to remover the nut from the stem of the shock.
Here is a comparison of the Bilstein shocks I chose to replace them with and the new top mount.
Here's what it looks like installed.
The test ride confirmed the results. The ride was much more controlled with a hint of harshness over rough roads. It handles the twists and turns with much more confidence now. Between the bracework and these new additions, I think the suspension is coming along nicely. Next up on the list is replacing the rear control arm bushings.
Anyone need a pair of used '93 original rear shocks?
They're still functional with no apparent defects but they are much softer than the Bilsteins that replaced them.