Mileage? Which struts mounts are the replacements? Why replace the springs? Plan on installing the FE2 rear shocks in the stash or going with Pedders shocks?
Suspension refresh in 2 years or less
Thanks to the State of Michigan, I will be forced to refresh the suspension and probably the brakes too within the next 2 years. I commute approximately 50 miles a day on I-96 and it is officially under major construction for the next 2 years as they are adding a lane and who knows what else. There is not a lane with one level surface. The center lane has 3 different surfaces and it is one big cluster****! Constant stop and go and every lane is trashed. I'm actually considering finding work closer to home because I just can't see me dealing with that for 2 years. It's THAT bad.
Granted, I only drive my G8 6 months out of the year but that's still one year of dealing with it. It's been a month and my car already does not feel as new and tight as it did. Since getting the car in late 2018, I have changed all 4 arms in front and the upper strut mounts/bearings. I imagine I will be replacing it all again and then some...struts/links, etc.
In the rear, the only thing I have changed in the suspension was the toe links. I went with BMR adjustable toe links strictly for the extra adjustability.
I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with oem stuff or aftermarket. If I do, I will still need to go with better strut mounts as we all know the factory stuff just doesn't hold up. I already have new oem fe2 rear shocks in my stash that I haven't installed yet. I'm thinking new springs all the way around as well. I'll have to research rear upper shock mounts as I do not know what is currently available.
I was thinking about Pedders also as far as springs/struts/shocks go. Does anyone have any experience with their stuff? I'm definitely open to suggestions as long as it doesn't involve coil overs or lowering anything. Thanks.
Granted, I only drive my G8 6 months out of the year but that's still one year of dealing with it. It's been a month and my car already does not feel as new and tight as it did. Since getting the car in late 2018, I have changed all 4 arms in front and the upper strut mounts/bearings. I imagine I will be replacing it all again and then some...struts/links, etc.
In the rear, the only thing I have changed in the suspension was the toe links. I went with BMR adjustable toe links strictly for the extra adjustability.
I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with oem stuff or aftermarket. If I do, I will still need to go with better strut mounts as we all know the factory stuff just doesn't hold up. I already have new oem fe2 rear shocks in my stash that I haven't installed yet. I'm thinking new springs all the way around as well. I'll have to research rear upper shock mounts as I do not know what is currently available.
I was thinking about Pedders also as far as springs/struts/shocks go. Does anyone have any experience with their stuff? I'm definitely open to suggestions as long as it doesn't involve coil overs or lowering anything. Thanks.
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112,000 miles. I replaced the upper mounts with Moog which are probably not much better than stock. I was thinking of at least replacing the rear springs as the rear seems to sit a little low to me. Not sure if I'm going to go with the FE2s or Pedders. I was hoping to get some feedback on Pedders.Mileage? Which struts mounts are the replacements? Why replace the springs? Plan on installing the FE2 rear shocks in the stash or going with Pedders shocks?
Moog's are akin to the factory rubber strut mounts...don't ask how I know. Wouldn't replace unless the springs are broken or otherwise compromised. No personal experience with Pedders as the parts (struts,shocks,springs) purchased awhile ago were sold prior to installation.
My stock 09 GXP rear looked like it was dropped/lowered. I replaced the shocks and the rear shock mount insulators. Ride height is now back to where it used to be. I replaced the rear shocks and front struts using the 2011-2013 Caprice PPV parts. This was about a month ago. At this time, I despise/hate how harsh the ride is. I've read it takes some time to break in. I'm going to give it about 1000 miles. I don't see it happening cause it is rough/bouncy on every small bumps. I literally lift my back off the seat when driving so I won't feel all the bumps.
Same BS around here, the 401 between hwy 10 and hwy 25 has been under construction for 3 years now.
Probably another 3 years of work involved.
It was killing my G8, I fixed them, I retired.
Probably another 3 years of work involved.
It was killing my G8, I fixed them, I retired.
If you got the 2011 ones they are more harsh than the 2012 and up. I have the later ones and I'd say it took around 500 miles or so to break in and I've been happy with them since.My stock 09 GXP rear looked like it was dropped/lowered. I replaced the shocks and the rear shock mount insulators. Ride height is now back to where it used to be. I replaced the rear shocks and front struts using the 2011-2013 Caprice PPV parts. This was about a month ago. At this time, I despise/hate how harsh the ride is. I've read it takes some time to break in. I'm going to give it about 1000 miles. I don't see it happening cause it is rough/bouncy on every small bumps. I literally lift my back off the seat when driving so I won't feel all the bumps.
Feedback on Pedders:
www.g8board.com
www.g8board.com
Pedders GSR/BMR installed
Wow what a difference! Replaced my front struts with Pedders GSR along with BMR bushings/bearings. Huge improvement in drive quality. Even my wife praised how much better the car feels on the road and she's not a car person at all lol. I guess my bushings were pretty collapsed cause it sure...
www.g8board.com
Pedders GSR Strut/Shocks OE Height Springs Review
So after about a year sitting on my parts I finally got them installed. Back about a year ago, I picked up a 50% off deal on the GSR dampers and OE height springs along with Whiteline poly strut mounts and bearings. I've had them sitting in my closet for about a year until now. My OE strut...
www.g8board.com
Hey RockinlesPaul - as per your request for input on Pedders, I did a partial suspension upgrade two years ago and added Pedders SportsRyder struts, shocks and lowering springs. As the roads sound like a bombed-out airstrip in your location, I would definitely stay away from the lowering springs as you indicated. As for the Pedders struts & shocks, the SportsRyder setup is firm, but not overly harsh. If I had to do it over again (and I might), I would go with the OE height vs the super lowering springs. Lastly, there used to be a Comfort Gas option from Pedders that was a bit softer setup than the SportsRyder series - so might be something else to check out to make your MI roads a bit more drivable.
I appreciate the input, thanks! No lowering springs for me. I work on lowered vehicles all the time and in general, they ride like **** and for a guy my age(57 next month), harder to work on. The roads are 3rd world country at best and lowered practically pulls you into every crack and crevice there is. Same with lifted trucks but that's another story.Hey RockinlesPaul - as per your request for input on Pedders, I did a partial suspension upgrade two years ago and added Pedders SportsRyder struts, shocks and lowering springs. As the roads sound like a bombed-out airstrip in your location, I would definitely stay away from the lowering springs as you indicated. As for the Pedders struts & shocks, the SportsRyder setup is firm, but not overly harsh. If I had to do it over again (and I might), I would go with the OE height vs the super lowering springs. Lastly, there used to be a Comfort Gas option from Pedders that was a bit softer setup than the SportsRyder series - so might be something else to check out to make your MI roads a bit more drivable.
I'll check into the Pedders stuff a little deeper. Sounds like it may be the way to go from what your saying.
Add a headliner to the list. Dammit..
My headliner was perfect until this bumpy ass construction started. Now it's sagging all over the place. Pisses me off. The two places that did get back with me wanted 475-650 and 5 days with the car.
I guess I'll start driving the G6 GT to work(my winter car), and drive the G8 on the weekends. A lot of damage has already begun though and that bums me out.
My headliner was perfect until this bumpy ass construction started. Now it's sagging all over the place. Pisses me off. The two places that did get back with me wanted 475-650 and 5 days with the car.
I guess I'll start driving the G6 GT to work(my winter car), and drive the G8 on the weekends. A lot of damage has already begun though and that bums me out.
Local shop replaced the headliner in a completely different vehicle for $150. Sorta kind of wonder the charge a G8. Realistically, may never know. Recall at least two members doing it themselves if such is feasible.
I seriously don't have the patience or experience in doing interior trim stuff. I would be afraid to bend the substrate and mess it all up. Not crazy about shelling out 6 bills for that but whatever. It's only money...right?Local shop replaced the headliner in a completely different vehicle for $150. Sorta kind of wonder the charge a G8. Realistically, may never know. Recall at least two members doing it themselves if such is feasible.
Those quotes do seem high, but that may be due to location and demand. Mine was around 350 in northern IL.
my work was 3 or 4 years back too.
I googled it and prices were 150-350 which sounded reasonable to me. I thought the 2 quotes I got were pretty damn high. I'll try a few other places in the metro Detroit area. These were places out in the burbs. I was looking for places that were closest to me.
I found a place a little over a hour south of me that will do it for 300. This would be for exactly what it has, I'm not going with suede, etc. I want it how it was from the factory. He said out the door in 4 hours. I put the car in storage mid October so I have a little less than 2 months to drive it still. I thought of waiting until spring but my luck they will probably double the price. 😄
Good deal as that's a more reasonable price. How did you come across the shop?
Just googling looking for headliner replacement near me. They are a full service upholstery shop. He said they have done a few G8s recently.Good deal as that's a more reasonable price. How did you come across the shop?
I got all 4 arms for the front for a great deal recently so that's covered if and when needed. Whiteline sway bar links for the front as well. Still have a few other parts to get but we'll see how it goes.
I originally had thought it was a 2 year construction project but I was wrong. It's a 3 year project. Ugh.
So far it's been a very, very mild winter. Hoping for a early spring!
I originally had thought it was a 2 year construction project but I was wrong. It's a 3 year project. Ugh.
So far it's been a very, very mild winter. Hoping for a early spring!
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