97 gst suspension help!

[Divine]

I have a 97 GST spyder. Had tons of mods done to the car etc. I find out that someone lowered the springs without changing the struts. The mech told me that my struts were shot because of the lowering springs. So in response to that I went out and bought the tokico illumina set of strut/springs. So there is a pretty big drop in the car. When turning there was a click clat noise. Seems like one of the front wheels would hang up and stop. Also you could feel the steering wheel jolt side to side slightly. When turning in reverse, none of the symptoms are there. I had a different mech put a new drive side axle in. He also put new bearings on both sides and a new wheel hub on the drive side. Could it be that I have stock axles? Do I need to give you more info? I searched the forum and haven't found an answer, so if I missed it, please direct me and I won't be so quick to fill the forum with my questions .

 

[gofer]

From what it sounds like one of your tie rod ends is shot but you never mentioned getting the car aligned after the new suspension you put on. If its a tie rod end I would get it replaced ASAP because it can kill your power steering rack...
This should help you find the irritating noise, "click clat"
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/337788-what-causing-irritating-noise.html

Your car definitely has STOCK axles, just like everyone elses unless they are pushing 500+ hp because they keep breaking them. Your OEM axles will be fine with the car lowered, you just need to make sure you get it aligned correctly.

 

[Divine]

thanks for the quick reply. Your right I haven't aligned the car. I was holding out for now because my worry was if I needed to replace something, I would need to align it again. Another item that might help, when i turn the wheel at stand still, there are no issues. However when I turn and am in forward motion, thats when it makes the noise. i do agree the alignment is some of the issue, just not sure if it ends there. if the tie rods are bad, is there a way to test that? or just replace? Anything else I could do to help pinpoint? I went to your link and none of the noted noises seemed to match up.

 

[gofer]

thanks for the quick reply. Your right I haven't aligned the car. I was holding out for now because my worry was if I needed to replace something, I would need to align it again. Another item that might help, when i turn the wheel at stand still, there are no issues. However when I turn and am in forward motion, thats when it makes the noise. i do agree the alignment is some of the issue, just not sure if it ends there. if the tie rods are bad, is there a way to test that? or just replace? Anything else I could do to help pinpoint? I went to your link and none of the noted noises seemed to match up.

Some alignment shops do lifetime alignment deals so you might call around and ask. I go to a local Firestone and get my car aligned once a month and it cost me $150 3 years ago so its more than payed for itself.

I'd have them align it and then drive the car for a week, see if it has any of the same symptoms/noises that your describing now. If the steering wheel still "shimmys" then its a bent rim or one of your outer tie rod ends are shot. They run about $18-$30 a side (theres two) and are pretty easy to replace yourself. You'll DEFINITELY need an alignment after replacing them though...

What kind of springs did the previous owner have on the car before you bought it? I ask because you might need a camber kit to get it aligned correctly.

 

[Divine]

I'm honestly not sure, I just remember taking it to a shop and they said that they "slammed" the car but didn't change the struts. I never knew what brand they were. How much are chamber kits? I might just get new tie rods, then get the alignment. Could there be any issue with the tranny?

 

[herms99gst]

Jack up the car, take your hand and put it around the outer tie rod and see if there is any up and down movement where it goes through the spindle. If you dont feel any movement up and down, it's the inners. Put your thumb and index finger on the inner tie rod, just inside the lock nut, have someone shake the wheel at 3 and 9 oclock, you will probably feel looseness there, that is the inners. You will need to get an inner tie rod remover kit to remove the inner tie rods, and also get a four wheel alignment done afterwards.


here is a good link to demonstrate this.... YouTube - Bad Tie Rod End

 

[gofer]

I'm honestly not sure, I just remember taking it to a shop and they said that they "slammed" the car but didn't change the struts. I never knew what brand they were. How much are chamber kits? I might just get new tie rods, then get the alignment. Could there be any issue with the tranny?

If the tranny goes into 1-5/R fine (or if its an A/T doesn't shift hard) and you don't hear funny noises engaging the clutch then the tranny's good.

The car might have an alignment/camber kit on if from the previous owner, thats what sucks about buying cars that are modified because you never know unless theres paperwork. I'm 100% sure you need a camber kit on the rears no matter how low the car is, the rears always need one when you drop the car even a little. You can buy a kit with all the bolts/washers necessary ---> STM: REAR CAMBER KIT 2G DSM (95-99) or run to Home Depot and get one right away for a little bit cheaper ---> 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T Homepage

Take a picture of the springs and someone will be able to tell you what kind they are, believe it or not that will tell us whether or not you'll need a front camber kit too. Some springs lower the car more than others, if its a more aggressive drop thats when you need the front ones.

 

[Divine]

thank you both for all the help! I have the car at my buddies shop. I am not able to go tomorrow because its easter, but I will go on monday. I will snap a picture of the springs. I work at home depot so getting the bolts and washers will be easy enough. I looked up doing a lifetime alignment and think I will look into that on monday also. I really appreciate your help!

I still plan on doing an alignment tomorrow and taking pictures of the springs. I did want to update and say that my buddy switched out the tie rods when he did the cv. What is the next item it could be?