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[grifter]

Elite 3.2

Got a broken rear spring and in the process of removing them I noticed an ident LA on each spring. Had a look through the forum and it looks like the LA identifer is a mystery that VX does not seem to have a part no for. Before I started removing them I thought the ident would be long gone so ordered a set of KYB that I've seen mentioned on here. Are the KYBs ok for the elite now that I think on it.

Springs still look pretty good nick, well apart from the broken one, the coils are still relatively black with little rust.

One of the centre sections and the back box is toast so I removed them but the 4 bolts between cats and centre section have all snapped. I don't see any other way to remove the studs but remove the cats and to get more access, tried some heat and no joy.

To remove the each cat is it the 2 plugs for sensors and the 2 upper bolts to remove from manifold? Any other little sneaky things hiding waiting to take the skin off my knuckles?

Cheers

Andy

[TheBoy]

Does it still have SL?

The snapped studs - drill them out and use nuts and bolts.  Needs decent drill bits, not the 10,000 bits for 50p egay shite.

[johnnydog]

Facelift saloon self levelling springs with ident LA are GM part no.  90295666

[ronnyd]

If you have time, get yourself some good TiN coated drill bits. Far tougher that ordinary HSS bits.

[grifter]

Does it still have SL?

The snapped studs - drill them out and use nuts and bolts.  Needs decent drill bits, not the 10,000 bits for 50p egay shite.

I take it you mean self levelling? The compressor runs sometimes but I don't think it's doing much if anything. There is a pipe going to the back shocks but they aren't actually connected into anything so I'm assuming it's now defunct.

Need to get a set of drill bits as I looked at the manifold and there is no way I'm attempting to take all that out with the car 1 inch above my nose, and also risk snapping more studs.

Any recommendations for good set of drills don't want to buy chinese stuff?

Cheers

Andy

[grifter]

Facelift saloon self levelling springs with ident LA are GM part no.  90295666

Cheers, I got the other ones on order but I'm still keen to find genuine, if I can find them and afford them.

[grifter]

If you have time, get yourself some good TiN coated drill bits. Far tougher that ordinary HSS bits.

Thanks will have a look, any recommended makes?

Andy

[Tick Tock]

My flanges were so crusty, I fitted these after a tidy up with the angle grinder.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174475765263?chn=ps&_ul=GB&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1NJ-5UZY-T4iGZc9gpthWXg66&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=174475765263&targetid=1816181028179&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006790&poi=&campaignid=19090194174&mkgroupid=147009364227&rlsatarget=aud-1162782600376:pla-1816181028179&abcId=9303860&merchantid=137662815&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw57exBhAsEiwAaIxaZoAG_oBqEh6XPZznyRGHlKNTsgEiNryVljEiTj_ZGbi7F7xJB1-tNhoC9HkQAvD_BwE

Obviously you would need to check the cat pipe diameter.

[grifter]

As I'm planning to give the rear donut bushes a go is it better to do this while I've got the diff lowered for the rear springs or should I put that back up and then do the bushes?

[LC0112G]

Hmmm - LA is VX90295666, and it's listed in my 2000 EPC as being for Senators with engines 25NE, 30NE, C30LE, C30NE, C30SE WITHOUT self levelling.

It's also listed as OmegaB Saloon (except Police and Armoured Body) WITH self levelling, from chassis number W1081185 onwards. However my EPC is from year 2000, so doesn't cover much on facelift Omega B's or 3.2's.

[Nick W]

As I'm planning to give the rear donut bushes a go is it better to do this while I've got the diff lowered for the rear springs or should I put that back up and then do the bushes?

Removing the subframe bushes takes a fair amount of prying, levering and swearing. The last is the only one that is not made easier by having the subframe firmly attached everywhere it can be. Do one side at a time.


There's a bloody good chance your diff mounts are no longer bonded together.....


If your self-levelling is still working, it will work even better if it's assisting standard rate springs and not the much weaker S/L ones. They're much easier to find too.

[johnnydog]

Hmmm - LA is VX90295666, and it's listed in my 2000 EPC as being for Senators with engines 25NE, 30NE, C30LE, C30NE, C30SE WITHOUT self levelling.

It's also listed as OmegaB Saloon (except Police and Armoured Body) WITH self levelling, from chassis number W1081185 onwards. However my EPC is from year 2000, so doesn't cover much on facelift Omega B's or 3.2's.

That part no. with the LA ident is 100% / definately / without any doubt for a 2.6 / 3.2 Elite saloon with self levelling. I've fitted several pairs over the years to different facelift 2.6 / 3.2 Elite saloons, and the ride height is perfect.
Just be aware - genuine GM springs with this part no are like gold dust. A quick Google reveals listings from aftermarket suppliers that state their products are OEM equivalent - I've tried different aftermarket springs that were supposedly suitable for self levelling, but the ride height wasn't correct and was too 'jacked up' at the rear. In the absence of genuine springs, then the recommendation of others experiences with OEM equivalents maybe your only option.

[grifter]

The ones I'm seeing tying into the part number 90295666 are the Sachs 996696, which is no longer available it seems, and TRW JCS681 link below.

https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/aftermarket-portal/our-catalog/search-by-vehicle/#/article/JCS681?languageID=4&brandID=14,22,32,35,68,126,161,294,8888&countryID=GB

I originally ordered KYB RJ6226, which the equivalent TRW is JCS625, which the size comparisons are below:

TRW JCS681: (Cross matches to 90295666 / Sachs 996696)

Diameter 1 [mm] : 10,25
Diameter 2 [mm] : 15,95
Diameter 3 [mm] : 10,3
Length [mm] : 269
Outer Diameter 1 [mm] : 152
Weight [kg] : 3,2

TRW JCS625 (The one I originally ordered)

Diameter 1 [mm] : 10,25
Diameter 2 [mm] : 16,1
Diameter 3 [mm] : 10,25
Length [mm] : 262
Outer Diameter 1 [mm] : 158
Weight [kg] : 3,2

Even if my SL isn't working, or is partially working I'd prefer to get the right springs anyway. Looked everywhere and the sachs and TRW ones are all out of stock or have a notify when available button. Only other one I can see that is available is quinton halzell over 100 bucks per spring.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

If your going to remove the S/L dampers, I could be interested in them if they are reasonably useable. 
If you do that you must change from S/L spec springs. They are far too soft to stay on the car with normal spec dampers.
As mentioned above, rear springs are a bit of a nightmare to get right. The ones currently on the rear of my car have the rear sitting too high.
I seem to remember Doc Gollum recommending Kielen heavy duty for the rear, so will probably investigate that option when I get around to it.

[johnnydog]

Suplex list a rear spring for the saloon with self levelling (ride height adjustment or something similar). I can't remember their part no now (maybe able to find it somewhere if req). The ride height was somewhere near to the original, but still too high. I noticied the clear difference in ride height when I decided to remove them after I found a scrapper with clearly nearly new genuine LA springs fitted ( ) That was about 6 years ago though......
P.S. that was one lucky day.....