Question for suspension experts

[BmacIL]

Update: the CB005 upper bushing cups arrived right on time and they went in without a fuss. CB005 is now 100% installed, along with the LCA bearing and SP080 springs. Car still isn't aligned.

Went out and drove ~20 miles in various conditions to really assess my situation. Although a portion of the strange resonance I was feeling definitely went away, the rear still feels very unsettled and excessively bouncy - instead of a firm up/down, I get a firm 3-5 up/down oscillations over any imperfections in the road.

At this point I'm at a bit of a loss. I'm planning to get an alignment Monday and drive the car for a couple of weeks in the hope that the LCA bearings loosen up, this is something Kelly suggested I try. If that doesn't work, though, I'm not sure what my next step will be. Part of me wants to just jump into new shocks/struts, but the reason I selected the SP080s was to retain my stock PP units and I'd probably want a different spring to pair with whatever dampers I select. This isn't an ideal road to be traveling so soon.

I definitely think there's an issue at the rear still. Bumpstops being the most likely. The other item to consider is that several members on here have found that the steeda billet shock mounts notably reduced bounce with the LCA bearings. [MENTION=21494]wildcatgoal[/MENTION] [MENTION=15518]jbailer[/MENTION]

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[DAVECS1]

I have the Steeda LCA bearings and the BMR Delrin cradle bushing kit. My car is a PP stock. My car has this same behaviorm One night on a date night it was severe enough we about lost our dinner. I think I am going to coil overs

 

[Jmart]

I have the Steeda LCA bearings and the BMR Delrin cradle bushing kit. My car is a PP stock. My car has this same behaviorm One night on a date night it was severe enough we about lost our dinner. I think I am going to coil overs

Wow, very interesting to hear. That would suggest that it may not be a bump stop issue if you're still on stock springs.

How many miles have you been riding on the LCA bearings? Did you get an alignment after installing? Did you torque things down while sitting at ride height?

 

[Jmart]

I definitely think there's an issue at the rear still. Bumpstops being the most likely. The other item to consider is that several members on here have found that the steeda billet shock mounts notably reduced bounce with the LCA bearings. [MENTION=21494]wildcatgoal[/MENTION] [MENTION=15518]jbailer[/MENTION]

Agreed, something doesn't seem right. I've checked my rear bump stops and confirmed a total height of 2 3/8" per the BMR installation instructions. Not sure if there is any harm cutting them lower than recommended? I suppose the stops will be providing less of a cushion over large impacts which probably isn't too big a deal as long as I don't cut too much more.

Along the lines of your comment, though: I don't want to jump straight to new shocks/struts almost as a bandaid fix if there is still any thought that this is due to some other issue.

Maybe another 1/4" - 1/2" reduction in rear bump stop height + the steeda billet shock mounts. Then new dampers if that doesn't work. I may go that route.

 

[Jmart]

I am on the same rear springs with PP shocks. Its steady and pretty well planted for me. I'm not getting any bounce. I cut the bump stops down as recommended.

I was on Konis for a while with these springs but even on full soft, I found them to be too harsh.

Good to know - do you also have the LCA bearing? I'm trying to gather as many data points as I can in an attempt to narrow down the cause of this.

 

[Jmart]

If you want to go with a simple, non-adjustable solution for your car that is affordable the Steeda fixed valve Pro-Action shocks are really really good. They are what the PP shocks should have been. And affordable too. Properly damped for our cars - much better rebound. Between that and either properly trimmed bump stops or the Steeda adjustable bump stops and you should be in much better shape.

Thanks for the input, and I am seriously considering this. I'm actually wondering if I should move on from the SP080's and go wth something like the steeda linear springs if I'm already signing up for swapping out the front struts.

 

[DAVECS1]

I have about 600 miles on my bearings. I torqued everything at ride height. I really think the spring rate the bushing provided is not accounted for by the dampers once it is removed.your getting high speed rebound at low linear movements, because the chassis has more leverage on the rear coil springs. I thing a damper with rebound adjustment and the ability to try some different spring rates will get it fixed.

 

[BmacIL]

Thanks for the input, and I am seriously considering this. I'm actually wondering if I should move on from the SP080's and go wth something like the steeda linear springs if I'm already signing up for swapping out the front struts.

SP080s with the shocks and struts will be a pretty sweet setup if you end up getting dampers. I'd try a trim of the stops and the mounts. The mounts you can use no matter what package you end up with.

 

[Jmart]

I just pulled the trigger on an overhaul. I now have the following coming from Steeda:

Pro action adjustable dampers
Ultralite linear springs
Adjustable bumpstop kit
Billet rear shock mounts
Front camber plates

Can't wait to get it all installed!

Looks like I'll have a nearly new set of SP080s to sell. Certainly nothing against them and I'm sure they're great for many people. I just figured I'd go a bit stiffer since I'm now going to have the luxury of dialing in my damping rates.

Thanks for the help, all. I'll report back once everything is installed :headband:

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