My L Series feels giggly and unbalanced over road irregularities...

2nd Hand Yank · Post by **2nd Hand Yank** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:55 pm

So I think I could use new struts and shocks on all four corners.
They probably are still original equipment.

I found a place in the USA selling Leone KYB front struts for $53.70 USD each, free shipping within the USA
but I will have to inquire on shipping costs to Australia during US East Coast business hours.
I also forgot to ask about the cost of rear struts.

Would 1993 Leone struts fit a 1993 L Series?

My front passenger tyre had pretty severe tread wear on the outer edge,
and my passenger rear tyre, the bottom stick out more than the top,
so I think I should do a wheel alignment before I buy new tyres.

My last wheel alignment was around 230,000km's and it's now reading 311,000+kms.

2nd Hand Yank · Post by **2nd Hand Yank** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:02 pm

that should have read "jiggly" not "giggly."

J's and G's are funny letters in English spelling.

Now Donk will laugh at me, every time I go over a bump.

mud_king91 · Post by **mud_king91** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:05 pm

leone is the L series

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 6:16 pm

^

>

,

not sure how you do unbalanced in smilies

in edit you can select go advanced and that gives you access to correct your title, or change it completely.

A few of us have been discovering the differences in L Series shocks, springs, front and back. Buying too far away from home you will need to zero right in on things.

You will notice nncoolg needs some measures for XT Vortex front shocks - not sure what he is up to but I reckon there could be some colourful language goin' on - much the same as what went on in my shed when sorting out rear shocks and springs

From memory L Series rear shocks have a measure to distinguish them from each other, measured from bottom mount hole centre to spring seat. 130mm, 142mm and 150mm between the different models.

If you wanna get same ride height etc you need to measure yours as they are and confirm with the supplier what measure the stock.

I know there was a change in wagons about 87. My 87 Wagz had 130mm, my L Sedan converted to coils from air bags runs 150mm.

As for fronts, 4WD and 2WD are different, not sure if there are just two factory versions or more.

Good luck

2nd Hand Yank · Post by **2nd Hand Yank** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:09 pm

How do I measure the length of strut that I need properly?

Is there anything else besides new struts and shocks I could use to lessen Donk's laughter?

I checked the swaybar bushings and they appear to be in good condition.
I do have that squeak over the front driverside corner as it goes over speedbumps,
though that doesn't seem to make my car feel unbalanced.

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:00 am

There are ways to check the condition of your shocks.

I'd suspect your steering rack ends or tie rod ends may be worn. Play in either will severely wear the outside of that tyre, cause the car to wander on the road and the steering wheel may move around more than it should too.

2nd Hand Yank · Post by **2nd Hand Yank** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:40 am

Venom wrote:There are ways to check the condition of your shocks.

I'd suspect your steering rack ends or tie rod ends may be worn. Play in either will severely wear the outside of that tyre, cause the car to wander on the road and the steering wheel may move around more than it should too.

Gregory's manual would have good instructions on how to check for that too?

Or you can tell me how?

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:29 am

mud_king91 wrote:leone is the L series

and also MY series.

Does the car *bounce*? Ie, if you push the front of the car down with your hands/own weight and release it, does it just come back up again once? Or does it slowly bounce up and down a few times? Also test this with the rear by shoving down the towball with your foot.
It will do this when you go through a dip in the road at speed too.
This means the shocks and/or springs need replacing. Pretty common for them to be left until completely stuffed in an L series.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:39 am

300,000+ kms on original shocks is a very good effort and one definately worthy of replacing. I'd would go with new from Aus. The reason being, if you need to claim warranty then you don't need to go through all the bullsh*t. Sure it's little cheaper buying over the net but by the time you pay freight and stuff it won't be much more than shopping around Aus. Just ask Guyph.

If you're coming to Perth in the next week, give me a call and I'll throw the car on the hoist and we can go over all the suspension points and check for any worn parts.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:43 am

The 28 point safety check like Pedders do ?

2nd Hand Yank · Post by **2nd Hand Yank** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:01 pm

RSR 555 wrote:300,000+ kms on original shocks is a very good effort and one definately worthy of replacing. I'd would go with new from Aus. The reason being, if you need to claim warranty then you don't need to go through all the bullsh*t. Sure it's little cheaper buying over the net but by the time you pay freight and stuff it won't be much more than shopping around Aus. Just ask Guyph.

If you're coming to Perth in the next week, give me a call and I'll throw the car on the hoist and we can go over all the suspension points and check for any worn parts.

Cheers mate.