Rear shock tower.

[jon L]

Looking for an opinion on the rear shock tower.

Do you think the tower can handle the weight and eliminate the leaf spring?

 

[Ronnie]

The shock tower looks pretty strong but it's really hard to say. I'm wondering if a coil spring big enough to support the weight of the car would fit in that space. There isn't much room around the stock shock at the top.

 

[Padgett]

I broke both front shock towers in my Sunbird autocrossing. Also used to crack hubs in steel wheels. GM mad thigs as light as they could. I'd suggest strengthening.

[jon L]

Ronnie, coil-overs are much thinner, even with the coil spring.

As far as springs go, they are rated up 900lbs for each side.

And by running up the adjustment on them up you can support more weight.

[Ronnie]

Jon, You said on Facebook that "Rear struts are out but listed for other cars." Can you give us a link to a website that has rear struts available that will fit a Reatta? 

[Guest]

I looked into this option and it looks like a 2.5 inch coilover should work but without strut tower support and condition of sub frame,fatigued of the strut tower over the years. It is to risky for my taste.  

[alchemist]

I agree with other comments already posted.  Being a metallurgist, I would be very concerned about substantially higher stresses and associated fatigue from putting all of the suspension dynamics through the shock tower.

[jon L]

Ronnie, My mistake I was under the impression that they were available for cad, olds.

It seem they are but out of stock.

[Ronnie]

Thanks Jon.