Hi

I purchased my first FD about 2 weeks ago - it's a '94 with about 95,000 miles on the chassis. I drove it home about 800mi from Tennessee to Texas and I noticed a few odd behaviors regarding the suspension that I've started looking into.

The only modifications currently made to the suspension are H&R Sport springs mated to the original shocks. As I was driving my new car home, I noticed a few interesting things:

- As I changed lanes of different heights, the rear end of the car felt like it was hopping or jumping. It didn't feel linear or smooth - I could feel the transfer, it kind of startled me the first time I experienced it.
- At higher speeds (90+ mph), the car feels like it's floating on air. Everything is smooth and the steering wheel remains in a static position, but it scares the hell out of me - I feel like I have no connection with the road and could slide off at any moment.
- I have no clunks or anything coming from the rear that would make me suspect that my pillowball bushings need to be replaced.

From the research I've done, it seems like the symptoms that I'm experiencing are a result of matching springs of heavy rates (4xx/3xx) with stock (and worn out) shock absorbers.

I've started to look into picking up a set of Tein Flex coilovers to replace my current setup and resolve the issues I'm experiencing. My questions are as follows:

- Does it sound like the problems are originating from the shocks, or should I look elsewhere? Alignment, loose parts, etc.
- If my suspicions about the shocks are correct, and if I go ahead and purchase the Tein Flexs, are there any other parts that I should look into replacing at the same time? I've seen people suggesting that it would be helpful to swap out the toe-links as well. Any other parts you feel might be worth checking out while everything is torn apart?

Thanks in advance!

 

Have you checked tire pressures? Stock shocks are pretty well built and last a LONG time. Low tire pressures will do all kinds of goofy stuff. Stock should be 32 PSI all the way around.

Dale

 

Take the tires off and inspect everything. This doesn't soud like it's just the suspension.

 

Excess toe (in or out) in the rear will cause the car to jump sideways as traction transfers from one wheel to the other while traversing lane discontinuities, slippery patches, etc.

Toe-out in the rear can make the car very uncomfortable, similar to what you are describing.

 

I blew one of my rear Tokiko struts and had to drive with it blown for a few days. It does sound like your shocks could be toast. Or check to see if your sway bars are still connected. Maybe one of your rear sway bar end links have broken. That's happended to me before, twice. Those rear end links are plastic/metal and are prone to breaking. You have to remove the rear wheel to get at them.

Good luck.

 

have you done a compression test on the car yet? have you done any basic maintenance such as changing coolant, fuel filter, tranny oil, diff oil, plugs, plug wires, brake fluid, brake rotors/pads etc?

the cost of the tein's are huge nut to blow if you just got the car and haven't figured out what else it might need. if you read the FAQ (4th link from the top of the 3rd gen section) you'll see all the suspension issues the FD is susceptible too - rear bushings, diff bushings etc. unless you are doing the work yourself its expensive but will yield better results than just replacing shocks/springs.

My guess is that your alignment might be off. I'm running H&R springs on stock shocks with about 100k miles on them. A bad alignment made the car wander as you described and I fixed that.

Shocks are pretty easy to check.

 

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate your input!

The previous owner installed the H&R springs, but I can't find any reciept for an alignment - I wouldn't be surprised if it's completely out of wack at the moment.

I went to get a printout of my alignment today at a local shop. First they told me it was $30 for a printout, and $60 if I wanted to actually have it aligned. As they were getting ready to take my car, they said "Oh, your is car lowered? It will cost $80 to align it then.." and I was like 'OK, I just want to see what my specs are set to at the moment'. Then I got to thinking, why the hell would it cost me $20 extra if it was lowered?

I asked them and they said "because you have to adjust more settings". I'm assuming they're referring to dialing out the excessive negative camber that usually results from lowering, but I told them that should be included as part of a full alignment anyways. The service guy got really pissed and short with me, and said "that's what happens when you treat your car like a toy". I was like "excuse me, you think my car is a toy?" I was fuming at this point, so I just walked outside and waited for them to pull it on the rack so I could go the hell home.

As soon as he backed up, he drove it off onto the street. I walked inside and I was like 'What are you guys doing? Why the hell do you need to drive my car on the street to do an ALIGNMENT PRINTOUT??' and the guy responded 'we always test drive our cars, you signed a sheet that said we could'.

At this point I was pretty pissed off, so I just waited for him to get back and pull it on the rack. As soon as he started to pull it on the rack, they realized it wouldn't fit on because it was too low. They sent me home and I gave them the finger and drove off. I check my PowerFC commander and the test driver felt it necessary to rev to 5500 and boost to 7psi.

So now I'm back with no clue what my alignment is set at, but considerably pissed off.

Does anyone have any more suggestions? I really appreciate all your input this far, I could really use some more. Thanks!

 

Yeah, actually take your car to a real suspension shop and not Joe Blow's place. There should be plenty of good shops in a city the size of Dallas to go to, that know how to handle sports/racing cars.

 

PM DamonB

He should be able to recommend a good alignment shop.

 

I had an similar issue when I put my Tein Flex Suspension on, when in lane-changes, the car felt like it was wobbling back and forth. It was my tires that was causing this. Check your tires, make sure they're not dried up and cracked.