Rear suspension on '94 Cutlass

[akexdc03]

What's the purpose to the rubber "8" looking thing between the trailing arms and strut? do you need to keep it in there? I figure it will be a real bitch to change struts out if I have to figure out how to keep that piece in there.

[Brian P]

Those are auxiliary springs, and act as a damper for the suspension movement. Some cars have them, some don't. It's usually seen on the models with softer suspension (base-models, Buicks, etc) If you want to keep it, you will need to insert a special bolt that "holds" the spring/bracket assembly together. I know that Monroe supplies this bolt when you purchase their rear struts. There's a hole on the top bracket that allows the bolt to go thru it, and the aux spring, and thread into the bottom bracket.

 

 

It's your call if you want to retain it, but keep in mind that *sometimes* depending on how stiff the spring is, the suspension height will rise without them.

[GP1138]

My FE3 car has them, too. It's got a pretty decent stance, I wonder what would happen if I removed them.

[19Cutlass94]

Ive had them on and off my car, and I never noticed a difference.

[Crazy K]

again I state:

 

cars either have an aux spring, a sway bar or both. i have not yet seen a car that had neither... but find one and I'll update my info.

 

lightest duty cars have just the auxiliary spring

 

medium duty cars have just the swaybar.

 

the higher performance cars usually have both.

 

 

I added auxiliary springs to the 1995 CS (my brothers) when i upgraded the car to new KYB struts. that car already had a swaybar... and now it has both. The car has FE1 suspension, but came stock with a rear sway bar. (my 94 didn't)

 

[LuminaPower92]

Ac Delco struts also supply the new bolt for the aux springs as i got them with my euros rear struts.

[rockfangd]

when i did my rear struts i was pissed because the bolt didnt thread into the bottom bracket so i was fucked lol and it was a pretty big PITA

[Crazy K]

oh yeah... I stick those in there without a bolt to compress them.

 

 

I recommend 2 ratchet straps to do the job... but you can do without if necessary.

 

tire removed, body on jack stands...

with the rear lateral link arm disconnected, you can place the aux spring on it's perch. Then use a jack to raise the arm until the through 21mm bolt has reached the correct height. I then use a ratchet strap wrapped around the lateral links to draw the rear link against the knuckle. next issue... is the fact that the struts wants to kickout so your hole is not yet aligned.... either muscle the knuckle in while trying to get the bolt in, or use a ratchet strap to wrap around the around the spindle/strut tying it to something on the opposite side of the car to draw it in. once you have the hole aligned... you are in and have the aux spring installed.