Suspension differences Late and Early

[middleman]

Is there any difference between the suspension on early to late 240 models or GLTs etc or is everything the same through the years?

Thanks

[Antz]

Early strut cups rust out. Later ones don't.
GLT's have different front dampers to any other model.
GLT's are 15mm lower than any other model.
Estate rear springs are a different poundage to saloons.

[middleman]

Originally Posted by Antz

Early strut cups rust out. Later ones don't.
GLT's have different front dampers to any other model.
GLT's are 15mm lower than any other model.
Estate rear springs are a different poundage to saloons.

Thanks. So an upgrade to an early model would be later struts for strength/durability. I'm considering air suspension v coil overs on a 1980 car and planning on a turbo conversion later

Air will involve custom front struts and I'm wondering should I source different front struts rather than taking my own out an it being off the road. Is there an advantage to changing to GLT. Can front struts be bought new?

[classicswede]

The suspension is almost the same through the years with a small number of changes.
Early front struts had smaller spindles, these were made bigger on PAS car and the bigger spindle became std. As said the later versions were hot dipped for rust protection. GLT struts differ slightly to take monotube dampers. ABS cars have the mounting for the sensor.

Bushes in the early 80 changed to voids and then changed back.
Rear axle top arms changed from small hourglass bushes to bigger parallel ones.

GLT did have stiffer and lower springs but they will all bes past best by now as are the monotube dampers.

Bottom ball joints also changed from manual to power steering.