Suspension problems!!

[iowaTSIfWd]

Alright here is my problem. oh about 2 weeks ago i tryied to tackle a suspension problem that i have had since i got my car. All my struts were shot and needed replaced. So i bought tokico blue hp and tein s tech springs. As i was installing everything, 2 of my stock shocks and spring would not come lose. Im talking about the cap that sits on the shaft of the strut. it almost seemed like it was weldin on. Thus this prevented me from installin everything correctly because i tryied almost everything to get the ####er off. I had to drive the car so i installed the front with all new springs but only one new shock because somewhere in the process i stripped the thread on the new strut. Now here comes my dilema, i installed the back with both new springs and struts but i had already used the hardware (the cups) on the front so i wouldnt have to take the front off which is a bi***. so i used some black metal washers the fit almost perfect. I have order all new stuff as in cups and bump stops hopefully that will fix the problem but right now the car rides like shit!! the back ends seems to spring up after every bump. Also when i hit anything that is slippery (like ice) my car feels like it getting thrown off the road. So im going like 30 in a 55 while everyone is passing me because my car is all over. It just seems like the car wobbles almost when i hit a bump. would my getto riggin do this? will my right parts fix this? or did i just get a really bad combo of struts springs? Any input would be helpfull Thanks in advance!!!

 

[noz]

damn....can i get a summarized version?

 

[jtmcinder]

First, that cup has two functions. It holds the shock boot and it spreads the force acting through the shock across a wide area of the upper shock bushing. As long as the washer you are using is as almost as big as the flat part of the cup (but not so big as to touch the metal part of the upper shock bracket or the spring), then it is fine. I don't have shock boots, so I have washers in there on my car.

Second, you are driving your car on one blown front shock and one new one that produces more damping force than a brand new stock shock. It is not surprising to me that your car isn't tracking straight. Also, you did not mention getting an alignment. You just lowered a 2G. You now have a ton of rear toe out and a bit of front toe out, as well. This makes for a twitchy car. Great for autoXing; not so great on the street; downright silly on slippery roads.

- Jtoby

 

[iowaTSIfWd]

Hey thanks for the info. i guess i do need a new alignment. I didnt think about the alignment. I only lowered it 1.5 front and 1.75 didnt think that would make much of a difference. Thanks!!