96 Sub - Shake, Rattle & Roll w/ Pics

mluters · November 1, 2005

I have a 96 sub that was shaking so bad at 65mph or faster that the whole dash was about to rattle away and the brakes were so bad that every stop was a rolling stop, regardless if it was ment to be. So, I finally decided to take on a little project, and get this beast fixed.

I started by getting new wheels and tires. It needed new tires and I decided to update the look with 20" Pro Comp wheels. The alignment shop immediatley said they could not even do the alignment because "your sub needs about 5k in steering and brake work". I said thanks, but no thanks and I'll do the work my self.

I did the steering stuff first: replaced idler arm, pitman arm, steering gear box and both upper ball joints. Next I moved on to the brakes: replaced master brake cylinder, stainless steel brake lines, Power Stop rotors, Hawk pads and SSBC twin force 10 aluminum calipers. Rear brakes: replaced parking brake cables, new drums, shoes, wheel cylinders and stainless steel brake line. Flushed and blead the system and then took it back for another alignment.

Results: the 96 Sub finally drives like a nice truck again. It actually stops very well and the responsiveness in the steering is amazing. Parking brake had not worked well for 3 years and now it's tight as can be. Steering wheel now longer has play in it - before you could go down the freeway at 60mph and move the wheel back and forth 3-4 inches and not even move. It was a fair amount of work but it drives great and you can take it up to 80mph and it's now smooth as silk.

Cost: Brakes and steering stuff = $1500

Wheels and tires = $2000

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/attach...achmentid=19168

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/attach...achmentid=19170

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/attach...achmentid=19169