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new suspension for EF wagon 

 

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 Post subject: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:36 am 
Stock as a Rock
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Age: 67

Posts: 148

Joined: 16th Oct 2011

Ride: EF Gli wagon

Location: blue mountains
NSW, Australia

Hello everyone.
New to this site. I have just got myself a lovely EF Gli wagon - one owner, 125,000km, regular service every 10,000km, etc. The guy really looked after it.
Have been reading the posts and info here (and on other sites) to see what I can expect from the thing, and I figure the best thing to do to begin with is change the shocks.
It seems the standard items last about 50,000km?
So, any suggestions as to what type? I'll be using the car mostly for drives to the Snowy Mtns for fly fishing (can sleep in the back).
Cheers.

 

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EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km.

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:40 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Ride: 5.0lt NF /351 ZD Fairlane

Location: Wattle Grove
NSW, Australia

Suspension is a personal choice, as everyone has an opinion that seems to differ from everyone else! but if you will be doing a fair few country miles (snowy mts trips) I would think some sports type shocks rather than touring or std, I've got Pedders red sports ryders and I'm pretty happy with them but a good quality set will make a nice difference on the road, probably look at some lowered springs while you're at it and a rear sway bar for good measure.

 

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:40 am 
Getting Side Ways
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Ride: EF XR6 Wagon, AU2 XR6 VCT

Power: 148 rwkw

Location: Auckland
New Zealand

If you can find someone wrecking a '94-96 XR6 wagon, you buy the Tickford lowered rear leaf springs. They give a good ride, good handling, cope with as much load as the GLi's, and the car will look better lowered a bit.

I've had Monroe GTs on my EF XR6 wagon and didn't like them - too little control. KYBs give very good handling and braking, but the ride is quite harsh. Koni reds are beautiful - nice ride and good control. They are pricey, but can be adjusted for wear, so they last a long time - and can be rebuilt so you will never have to buy another shock.

 

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:27 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Ride: EB1 Fairmont Ghia T5 Wagon

Location: Seven Hills, Sydney
NSW, Australia

If you want to retain the std ride height, and just replace the shock absorbers I would recommend the Ultima brand shocks. They are available easily from eBay in Sydney for $130 a pair for front struts, and for a HD option for the rear $139.

I will be purchasing these soon myself, and they are a good choice for the budget minded.

I will be getting the Short length versions for the front to match my Super Low springs etc.

Cheers
BenJ

 

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:31 am 
Stock as a Rock
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Age: 67

Posts: 148

Joined: 16th Oct 2011

Ride: EF Gli wagon

Location: blue mountains
NSW, Australia

Thanks for the replies.
Not interested in lowering the car, just improving the suspension - I figure it's the best bang-for-your-buck improvement to handling/ride.
It also seems to be something that can be done without spending heaps.
It would seem to me the addition of new shocks, and a rear sway bar would be the best option (especially the sway bar).

 

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EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km.

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:32 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Posts: 975

Joined: 15th Nov 2004

Ride: el wagon

Location: melbourne
VIC, Australia

Just be a bit careful with the addition of the sway bar at the rear. The very basics of suspension setup say that if you tighten up one end, you loosen the other. In other words, by making the rear more "stiffer", it is probable that you will increase the tendency for understeer.

UNDERSTEER: hitting the wall front first.
OVERSTEER: hitting the wall rear first
KILLERWATTS: how hard you hit the wall
TORQUE: how far you move the wall after hitting it

:D :evil: :shock: 8-) :wink:
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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 2:20 pm 
Stock as a Rock
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Age: 58

Posts: 158

Joined: 25th Dec 2010

Ride: 1995 EF Falcon

Location: Adelaide
SA, Australia

imo EF's need a bit of tightening in the rear anyway

 

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:58 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Posts: 975

Joined: 15th Nov 2004

Ride: el wagon

Location: melbourne
VIC, Australia

Yeah, iirc, the leaf spring rates were altered between the EL and EF, and the front suspension mount points were also changed slightly.
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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:15 pm 
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Age: 67

Posts: 6815

Joined: 22nd Jun 2005

Gallery: 8 images

Ride: EF Fairmont

Location: Campbelltown
NSW, Australia

Check your PM's
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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:08 pm 
Technical Contributor
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Age: 67

Posts: 6815

Joined: 22nd Jun 2005

Gallery: 8 images

Ride: EF Fairmont

Location: Campbelltown
NSW, Australia

Pics of the swaybar install. These are from Benj car but will be the same setup for you.


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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:10 pm 
Technical Contributor
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Age: 67

Posts: 6815

Joined: 22nd Jun 2005

Gallery: 8 images

Ride: EF Fairmont

Location: Campbelltown
NSW, Australia

Not sure where these came from :lol: but thanks to whoever they belong too.

Attachment:
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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 9:41 pm 
Technical Contributor
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Age: 60

Posts: 5659

Joined: 14th Jan 2005

Gallery: 10 images

Ride: 96 XH/97 EL

Location: South Coast
NSW, Australia

{USERNAME} wrote:
Pics of the swaybar install. These are from Benj car but will be the same setup for you.
They're from my XH ute.
{USERNAME} wrote:
Not sure where these came from :lol: but thanks to whoever they belong too.
XH5LWEPN's XHII XR8 ute.
Original thread: gearbox-suspension-brake-driveline-f4/xh-xr8-suspension-t54544-20.html

As mentioned though, wagon setup is same.

 

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:35 pm 
Stock as a Rock
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Age: 67

Posts: 148

Joined: 16th Oct 2011

Ride: EF Gli wagon

Location: blue mountains
NSW, Australia

Thanks for that.
Got the suspension done.
I have no issue with the work done, but there is a nasty one about the price. Yes, I know it's obvious, but always get a written quote. I will, from now on. To receive an email that makes up s**t about what was said to me - a complete fabrication - is a real kick in the guts.
Anyway, the gas shocks were fitted, and just driving from the workshop one could tell the difference; a nice, taught feel.
On a dirt road near my home, the difference was obvious; wheras before the car would sling out it's rear end at any opportunity, especially over the ruts, now it does not, and even when it does, the slide is minimal.
Just got myself a rear sway bar, and will fit it this week.

 

_________________

EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km.

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:20 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Posts: 2410

Joined: 4th Sep 2006

Location: Sydney
NSW, Australia

Which brand shocks did you get?

 

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 Post subject: Re: new suspension for EF wagon
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:57 am 
Stock as a Rock
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Age: 67

Posts: 148

Joined: 16th Oct 2011

Ride: EF Gli wagon

Location: blue mountains
NSW, Australia

At the moment, I am talking to a lawyer friend about my options, so will not identify the brand and business.

Oh, did a fuel economy check, and with the drive from Bathurst to Katoomba, then from Katoomba to Campbelltown and back (via the freeway), I averaged 8.9lt/100km.

This is an estimate, as (unlike my Pulsar), I cannot see where the fuel level is in the fuel pipe. When filling, the fuel supply automatically shuts off when it's close to full, so I wait for the third shut-off, and use that as my guage. Not exactly accurate, but as close as I can get.

Also, the oil is in very good condition - even after 2,000km since the last oil change, it's clear and clean, which is reasurring. At 126,000km, I hope to get quite some mileage from the motor. I keep an eye on the water level (to keep ahead of the dreaded head gasket fail), and I will also be doing regular oil change/service for the auto transmission.

The town fuel usage is a bit of a shock after the little Pulsar, no suprise as it's a big car and it's so hilly around here, but the country mileage seems reasonable, and something I can live with. Everything else is great, though I'm not a fan of power steering. Getting used to it, but still feels a little vague and unconnected.

 

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EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km.

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