Hey All,

I have a couple of questions regarding new suspension, breaks, and drive train mods on a stock AU series 1 forte, I've done some searching but haven't really found the answers elsewhere so I'm just going to ask.

I've had a number of quotes for new suspension from different places and I've been finding the prices seem pretty consistent, ranging from around $2300 to $2600ish, however I just got a quote from pedders for $1690. After talking to the guy at pedders for about half an hour I decided to put it in for an inspection, its cheap and they will check out all of the suspension from top to bottom, this way they can tell me exactly what they will need to replace so there won't be any surprises when they do the work. he also said he was cheaper because he wasn't including sway bars in the figure, he said don't do them straight up, I might find it doesn't need them but I can always stick them in later if i want to.

I'd consider doing the suspension myself but I don't have the time, space or tools so I just want to put it in and get it done. What I want to know is who here has pedders sports rider suspension and how do you think it compares to other setups?

While I'm on the subject I also want to know what would be involved in converting the rear live axel setup to an independent setup, is it possible? Would I have to make any changes to the drive shaft etc? The reason I ask this is because I also want to put a 5spd manual in it the old 4spd slush bucket is on it's last legs and has to go, and I'm assuming the drive shaft will need to be swapped when I do that?

Obviously this will make suspension a little more expensive but if it's worth upgrading it's worth doing it properly and I'd rather do it all in one hit if possible. Ideally I'd like an LSD in it, I used to have one in an XF and I miss it so much.

Also can anyone recommend a good break package, I'm going to be putting a set of 19" Starcorp Racing Impul's on it, so I wan't breaks that not only perform well but also look good. While I'm on the wheels, what would you recommend, 19x8.5 or 19x9.5?

So basically I need some advice on is what the best strategy is for making these upgrades, i.e. what's the best order to do each job and what are the pros and cons, and at this stage lets just assume money is no object (I wish):

Live axle to Independent rear conversion plus LSD
Auto to five speed conversion
New suspension all round
Top quality break package

Basically I want to spec up the entire under carriage to the point where it can't be speced up any more, please offer advice, options and any general knowledge you have on these upgrades.

Cheers.

Sounds like you got some $$$$ to spend???
If so, easier to get an AU XR6 with IRS and LSD in the first place.
You can't just bolt in an IRS setup, the body's are made a bit different.
Then you can go the wheels and suspension stuff.
I'd still go swaybars anyway, makes a heap of difference to a std setup too.

Hey cjh,

I'm budgeting about 15k for a major make over (not including the engine or interior) but the IRS is not really an absolute must. I know I could buy an AU xr6 but it sort of defeats the whole idea of having a project car, I really want to develop the stock car into something much nicer, it's either that or buy a new BF xr6 turbo.

I might look into buying an xr6 wreck for parts and interior though. Just out of interest, what are the differences between the stock and xr chassis/body when it comes to under carriage components? And is it just a case of difficulty or is it just not possible to make the conversion?

As for the sway bars, I'm putting it in for the inspection on Monday, when I get the total figures I might consider sticking them in if my budget can cover it (this month). Thanks for the advice.

Still after answers to the other questions anyone?

Cheers.

go the wide ones on the a***, the thin ones on the front, it will look f**k horn!

lol, Yeh I'm thinking the 9.5's might be too much on the front, makes me think I should just opt for 8.5 all round but I'll keep your suggestion in mind .

Well i have an AUII and the thing is geting lowered for around $550 which is sweet. Dunno why suspension is so expensive. Im getting it done a a suspension place which the guy i know and even if i didnt know him it would be under a grand.

That just makes me feel like every bastard in my area is misleading me...

What suspension (brands, parts etc) are you putting in sikford?

I'm looking at all new shocks springs bushings and what ever is worn out.

Got my inspection done and the only thing wrong with the current suspension is a worn bush on the front sway bar. But I booked it in anyway, so she'll be low on Friday arvo, I just hope pedders stuff is good quality.

Got another question now, I just got a price on my wheels, tempe tyres are doing a special for $2100.00 with Nankang tyres, anyone know what Nankangs are like?

Well i got the Pedders suspension done today, all up cost me $1850 for new springs, a few new bushings here and there plus a couple of worn bit's n pieces, cambre kit and a power steering service.

Feels f**k great, it's like someone just put it back on the rails... So far the steering feels far more responsive and has it's original firmness back, no play or loose feeling. Body roll is all but non existent but I'm thinking I'd like to stick some whiteline sway bars on it later just to take that little tilt out off the hard corners.

Took it for a spin along a pretty windy and slightly rough road with some good hills and some sharp bends and it handled superbly, I did hear a rather large clunk in the front left when I hit a pretty hard bump (almost sounded like it bottomed out) but didn't here anything like it after that. Is there a chance this was just the spring finding it's seat?

Anyway, got some pics, I'll post a couple of better ones tomorrow, was dark by the time I got back from my joy ride so the after shots don't really show much.









Now that the suspension is done I need to look at fixing up the body and sticking some wheels on it.

Here's a few pics of IRS on an AUI XR8.

 

 

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I took those pics, while I was in the process of taking out the diff to rebuild it. The pinion bearings had failed in it, so it was an easy job to do.
Only has 140,000k's on it, so the gears didn't need relapping.
All back together now, and no noises.
I had to make a tool to adjust the side-carrier bearing assemblies.

 

 

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I decided not to worry about IRS for now at least, it would have meant the car would be off the road for too long which didn't suit me at the moment.

Took it for another spin this morning, went a fair bit further, I have to say I wish I did the suspension a couple of years ago, it feels so nice to drive now, it's amazing the car feels like it's about 7 years younger. Even the engine feels stronger and more responsive...

I'll post up some more pics in a minute just in case anyone is interested.

Last edited by nedkelly on Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

After talking to Glenn about his old AU I've decided to go wide on rear, it does look s**t hot...

http://www.fordmods.com/forums/gallery. ... I&meetid=0

heres a pic I took today, still looks s**t but wait... soon it will knock your sox off... And it won't be quite so BOGAN.

 

 

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