Rear suspension weight capacity

[Eric212]

Hello! Happy to be here! I just found your forum and I plan on sticking around.

I have a 2003 Grand Am w/ a 2.2L Ecotec and a 5 speed. The car is in very nice shape for it's age.

I occasionally carry around a car load of guys that are on the heavier side, and of course the rear end sinks out of sight with everyone on board, plus a few things in the trunk.

Is there a way to "beef up" the rear suspension to carry this load a little better?

Until now I have been more of a truck guy... in which case to prevent the rear form sagging I would have added a set of air bags, or added an overload spring to the leaf springs. Or even if the car had separate springs and shocks I could replace the shocks with a set of air shocks.

However, I don't have any experience doing this on a vehicle like this one which has only struts.

I'm not necessarily looking to "jack up" the rear (when empty) I'd imagine replacing the springs with stronger ones or adding any kind of spacers would do that (not optimal)... I really like the "air ride" idea because it can be adjusted depending on the load.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Eric

 

[melsg5]

this is what autozone offers, havent come across air shocks. If original springs and shocks they could be tired.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-absorber/_/N-26ks?itemIdentifier=541276_0_0_

 

[Eric212]

this is what autozone offers, havent come across air shocks. If original springs and shocks they could be tired.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-absorber/_/N-26ks?itemIdentifier=541276_0_0_

These are for struts? It just says they are for "rear shock absorbers"

Not sure how I would install those....

 

[melsg5]

You remove the existing rear springs and replace them with these. You also have other choices on their site for heavy duty and sport suspension. These were under the accessory tab.

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[Eric212]

Thanks