Photos of my New MK1 Suspension install- GAB Sway Bars - ST Springs - illuminas

[justjoe]

So here it is.. I finally was able to get the following installed on my 89 Hardtop!!

- Tokico Illumina Strut inserts
- ST Springs (correct ones =)
- TRD Bushings (what a pain! Make sure you use LOTS of grease)
- TRD Strut Top Mounts
- GAB Hollow sway bars (front and rear)

The old struts were almost totally gone.. I was able to compress each one with very little effort, and the oil inside the struts was VERY dark.

The new suspension makes the car feel great! Gone is the pushyness (Understeer), and in its place is a neutural handling car. I know that I still need an alignment to properly judge, but I am extremely happy with it so far.

The ST springs haven't dropped the car as much as others have reported yet, but I just got the springs on the car.. so time will tell. The springs are great, and feel very nice.

As far as the Illuminas.. with Dallas streets being as bad as they are, I can only drive around on a setting of 1 (being the softest ride). I tried driving around on 3, and it would REALLY handle well, but the ride was way too rough.

And for the peps who say "that a rear sway bar doesn't do anything".. well, then I am not sure what planet they live on.. they probably live on the same planet as "a front strut brace doesn't do anything".

The GAB bars were purchased from a "friend" who paid over $600 to get them from Japan (well over 10 years ago).


Here is some technical data I have gathered..

Sway bar thickness in mm:

- Factory Front - 18mm ~ 18.5mm (could not tell true tickness due to the dirt)
- GAB Hollow front bar - 22mm

- Factory rear - 0mm (because I didn't have one!!)
- GAB Hollow rear - 16mm

I can tell you that the GAB front bar alone is about 2.5 lbs lighter than the factory bar because it is hollow. no idea on the rear.. but it probably isn't that much difference.

Now onto the photos.. I wonder how many posts I will have to make..



Here are side by side photos of the front sway bar.


Here are photos of the new front suspension:..
Old:


New - ST Springs!!:


Nice looking new sway bar!! =):


Front Sway bar again.. :


Now onto the rears..
Right side:


As I said, new TRD bushings all the way around, what a pain to get in.. but well worth it!!
Left side:


Many might remember me asking about TABS.. Sheesh what a pain. I was never able to find a good deal on 87+ strut housings, so I took a set of 85 rear housings, and cut the drivers side apart until I was able to get the "tabs" off of it. I had to do a fair amount of cutting with my dremel, and then was able to get everything welded up by a local welder for $15. You would never know it wasn't factory.. =) Just the way I wanted it.

Here is a closer shot..


As far as the sway bar.. sheesh, that is a whole nother story.. The short version is that I had to come up with this in order to make sure that the bracket would sit properly on the bent part of the frame.


Here is another shot..


and another.. =)



That is all for now.. I will try to post some Before and after shots of the car in less than a week.. gotta let the car settle.