OK, I installed the Gabriel cartridges and achieved the goal of getting my car back on the road. Planning my next suspension step.
On a smooth road the car handles pretty nice but hit a dip in the road or a pot hole and you get a pretty harsh bump. I don't remember it being that harsh before it was taken off the road for awhile. I expected the new cartridges to perform a bit different but perhaps it's all of the other old components adding to the mix.
Do coil springs weaken substantially after 100,000 mile and 33 years? Could that be a large part of reason I feel the harsh bumps?
New springs and all new bushings are on the list as are new Koni's for the rear. Just trying to figure out exactly what I want.
The rubber on the factory lower control arms twist which probably adds some effective spring rate to the springs I suppose? If I go with a hard poly bushing, they should move freely so should the spring rate theoretically be increased?
I have a set of custom Fatman tubular lower control arms but haven't decided if I want to use them or go with a set of factory arms with new ball joints and bushings. Either way the goal is to keep things as stock as possible initially. I should be able to get a good alignment without CC plates?
When I get everything refreshed, the last step would be to swap in the new front Koni's that are sitting in the box waiting.
Thoughts, suggestions?