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View Full Version : Suspension problems...need input


cszink
01-25-2010, 08:33 AM
First, watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbzItkw0S5A
At 0:45 you see me hit a HUGE hole and slam my head into the roof.
I think this is where the damage occurred.
I drove the car back home 2 hours from the event without any real issue. The only thing I noticed is that the drivers rear strut clunked a little more than usual (has since I installed).
Fast Forward to the next day when I go to wash the car, and I notice that almost every bump the drivers rear of the car feels like it rebounds like crazy and makes a thump or clump noise when it happens (sounds like the trunk isn't closed).
I jacked up the car and everything looked normal, nothing loose or broken.
I took the car to my buddy at Tire Barn to check the balance of the wheels because I developed a vibration after the event, turns out a lot of dirt will make it shake like crazy as well.
Anyway, when the wheels were off, I double checked everything. Nothing was loose. Bearing seems fine, no visible damage to any suspension components.. When you put the car back down on the ground, the rear end stays jacked up higher than stock. If you let it sit, it will slowly creep back down a bit at a time. After you drive it, it settles back down normal.

At first I thought maybe I blew the strut, but the way it rebounds and the noise that it makes, makes me think that maybe the spring got messed up somehow...I'm not sure.

This is where I need your input. If I jump up on the rear of the car it rebounds normally without noise or anything. It only seems to happen when the car is in motion.

Thoughts?

Car is a 2002 WRX with STi Pink Shocks up front, and regular STi struts in rear, sprung with Tanabe's. Everything else suspension wise is stock.

KevinWelker
01-25-2010, 08:50 AM
Regrease the struts and they should be fine. It's normal for inverted struts when they get dry/dirty to act like that.

cszink
01-25-2010, 09:59 AM
Regrease the struts and they should be fine. It's normal for inverted struts when they get dry/dirty to act like that.
I don't know anything about that...link to process?

rollo
01-25-2010, 10:20 AM
First, watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbzItkw0S5A


Banner run there :D Damn it looks slippy.

At 0:45 you see me hit a HUGE hole and slam my head into the roof.
I think this is where the damage occurred.

BTDT.. yikes

I took the car to my buddy at Tire Barn to check the balance of the wheels because I developed a vibration after the event, turns out a lot of dirt will make it shake like crazy as well.

True. I take a scraper (body panel filler thing or whatever, something flat and plastic) to get the mud out before going fast.

When you put the car back down on the ground, the rear end stays jacked up higher than stock. If you let it sit, it will slowly creep back down a bit at a time. After you drive it, it settles back down normal.

This has happened for every car I've ever had, dirty or not.

FWIW I'm pretty sure that STi suspension is well known for its clunking rear suspension. But if you're gonna be regreasing you'll have a chance to check it all thoroughly anyway.

This is a pretty neat idea:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1911692

IMO you'd definitely want a little rubber cover (like on a brake caliper bleed screw) to cover the fitting.

cszink
01-25-2010, 10:49 AM
BTDT.. yikes
FWIW I'm pretty sure that STi suspension is well known for its clunking rear suspension. But if you're gonna be regreasing you'll have a chance to check it all thoroughly anyway.

This is a pretty neat idea:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1911692

IMO you'd definitely want a little rubber cover (like on a brake caliper bleed screw) to cover the fitting.
I have no idea what BTDT means...
Thanks for the link. I'll look into doing this soon!

02wrxRally
01-25-2010, 11:08 AM
been there done that?

breaking stuff sucks