1982 front struts

[hcmclean]

I'm sure this has been asked before but, can I run 1987-1993 front struts on a 1982. I think you have to add a 1/8th spacer, any help would be most appreciated.

[tonysilver82]

Yes u need the spacers on each side

[hcmclean]

Thanks Tony, that's what I thought but could not remember.

[dagenham]

A lot if the struts like Gabriel and Monroe come with the shims. I don't know about performance struts though.

[hcmclean]

Looking at some Koni orange shocks and struts.

[wraithracing]

Looking at some Koni orange shocks and struts.

If you are looking at the old Koni struts then you might be fine. Otherwise if you are considering the STR.T line of struts just be aware those only fit the 87-93 V8 spindles or the SN95 spindles. The mounting ears are spaced @ 3/4" apart and will not fit the 79-86 spindles.

[wraithracing]

I'm sure this has been asked before but, can I run 1987-1993 front struts on a 1982. I think you have to add a 1/8th spacer, any help would be most appreciated.

Tony's reply is not correct. If you have the 79-86 spindles then most of the 87-04 performance struts will not fit. Eibach struts will work and some aftermarket units such as Monroe, Gabriel, etc. will fit and you don't need spacers.

The only time the spacers are needed are when you use the 87-93 V8 spindles/SN95 spindles with the Eibach struts, Monroe, Gabriel, or OEM struts that were designed for the 79-86 cars.

Bottom line:

79-86 and 87-93 4 cyl spindles have a mounting pad that is @ 1" wide

87-93 V8 and SN95 spindles have a mounting pad that is @ 3/4" wide.

You can install 79-86 struts on the 87-93 V8/SN95 spindles using an 1/8" spacer per side.

You can NOT install 87-04 spindles on the 79-86/87-93 4 cyl spindles without milling down the mounting pad on the spindles from 1" to 3/4".

Hope that clears things up. Good Luck!

[wraithracing]

A lot if the struts like Gabriel and Monroe come with the shims. I don't know about performance struts though.

Virtualy ALL performance struts use the 87-93 V8/SN95 spindle mounting ear spacing of @ 3/4"

Eibach struts do use the wider 1" spacing and have shims. If you can find some Old School Koni's they may work, but that's about it for the 79-86 cars. One of the main reasons so many swap out the spindles to the 87-93 V8 when needing performance struts.

[hcmclean]

Tony's reply is not correct. If you have the 79-86 spindles then most of the 87-04 performance struts will not fit. Eibach struts will work and some aftermarket units such as Monroe, Gabriel, etc. will fit and you don't need spacers.

The only time the spacers are needed are when you use the 87-93 V8 spindles/SN95 spindles with the Eibach struts, Monroe, Gabriel, or OEM struts that were designed for the 79-86 cars.

Bottom line:

79-86 and 87-93 4 cyl spindles have a mounting pad that is @ 1" wide

87-93 V8 and SN95 spindles have a mounting pad that is @ 3/4" wide.

You can install 79-86 struts on the 87-93 V8/SN95 spindles using an 1/8" spacer per side.

You can NOT install 87-04 spindles on the 79-86/87-93 4 cyl spindles without milling down the mounting pad on the spindles from 1" to 3/4".

Hope that clears things up. Good Luck!

Yes it does and thanks for the info!

[erratic50]

Consider these cars struggle for every bit of caster they can get. When installing struts put the shims in such that it seems like the struts are tipped further back towards the cowl.

You may very well need camber bolts to get the negative camber required for good turn-in, etc.

shims usually interfere with camber bolts. Keep this in mind when installing them