....I think.

It feels like my shocks aren't compressing or something. If I'm cruising around not accelerating or braking if I hit a little bump or a big bump the tail end kicks out, generally to the passenger side. I sounds and feels like wheel hop. I don't know what it is. It's really nerve racking, especially in the rain!
The primitive shock "bounce test" on all four corners seems alright. Someone I've talked to suggested that it might be the bushings.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Check the strut mounts.

 

I hear that bad DTSS bushings will do that/

 

DTSS, shocks, bushings.... and I'm inclined to think not enough tread on the rear tires could make the DTSS go crazy in the rain.

 

I do need tires. I'm just waiting to get my taxes in and done!

thanks for the help

 

DTSS doesn't even start to kick in until +.40G, so the odds of it being the problem from his description is like 1000 to 1

Sounds much more like worn out shocks or incorrect alignment or even worn tires before the DTSS.

Hell, I would bet more than 50% of FC owners have never even gotten the car to the point of DTSS kicking in and of those 50% that did, I would bet 80% of those have only done it once or twice.

 

I was having the same problems you are. I have replaced my 17 year old shocks with AGX's, and installed poly bushings. I was still having the problem of the back end snap oversteering, but the wheel hop was greatly reduced.

On a drive on some damp pavement over the summer, I took a 90* turn while engine braking in 2nd gear. The car snapped so fast I couldn't even react, luckily it was 5:30AM on the way to work so the roads were empty... My tires were at 6/32", so I bought some new tires, and they greatly decreased those sudden losses of traction.

 

I had the right rear strut go completely bad on me. It was making all kinds of noise and loosing traction over bumps like man covers or small pot holes. It also stumbled real bad when it went over the bumps or holes. So I look at it with the wheel of and the whole shock is covered in the dampening oil fluid. A $15 junkyard strut, complete with spring, was the fix for me.

 

You have to use plenty of lube.

 

Reducing rear toe would increase rear end stablity. Also check tire pressure to make sure the pressure is at least 32+ and that the front tires has high pressure compairing to rear tires.

 

As for the real question........ I was driving home tonight and I started to notice a little crunch/creak coming from my pass back shock tower. I've got some other things I'm working on it tomorrow so I'll add that to the list!

 

Check your passenger rear strut. Its probubly bad. Mine is and I get the same thing. Im use to it. Some day I will buy Tokico HPs but untill then, let the kick out continue

A lot of times if it sits over night, I will start to drive in the morning and the strut will be locked up, meaning zero travel. Feels like I have welded suspension, then I hear a big bang as it loosens up and it rides fine

 

and if you re going to check one check them all

 

I'm with you there, brother. I've only gotten mine to kick in once, and that was when I was doing some spirited driving, took a 45 mph sweeper at around 80-85, and then it kicked in. It was VERY frightening, to say the least.

I'm sure if you're DTSS is functioning properly, and you've gotten used to the "snap-steer" that comes with it, it is a great thing.

James

 

Bend over and Ill fix that problem...

n/m someone beat me too it... oh well

 

When the DTSS bushings were new, they didn't snap, to my understanding. It was supposed to be a progressive thing to help the stability of the car. I've never actually driven a car with DTSS busings still in it, though, so I dunno.
As for the snap oversteer, I'm gonna go with bad rear struts. While it sounds like you also have bad tires, that probably isn't causing the problem, just making it worse.