Rough ride after installing springs

370zFORme!! · 12-07-2010, 03:37 PM

So this weekend I removed eibach springs and installed H&R springs. After the install, my test drive proved to be a pretty rough ride. When I go over small bumps or drive over a small divet in the road, there is a really loud noise. Not like a clunking sound but more of a thud. Not only that but the rear end feels like it is not as stable as before. I triple checked all bolts and torque wrenched everything. My question is, could I have blown a seal in the front struts or something similar? I can tell my alignment is off because of the instability of the rear end. I tried to take it to an alignment shop to see my alignment specs and they couldn't even get it on their lift cuz it's so low. Where locally could I take it to have them inspect my work and do an alignment for not a lot of money? Please don't say stillen. They quoted me $250 to inspect, $200 for rear camber arms install and $125 for alignment. So ridiculous. Thanks for the responses!

JACKPAC · 12-07-2010, 04:17 PM

I don't know if this helps... my last car was too low for most places, but Sears actually had a lift that could do the alignment.

azn370z · 12-07-2010, 04:34 PM

I can tell you that the hr springs do not make any noise. Something must be wrong, maybe pics? 125 for an alignment isn't too high. You should ask in the regional forum for local Alignment shops.

jgvill · 12-07-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

I can tell you that the hr springs do not make any noise. Something must be wrong, maybe pics? 125 for an alignment isn't too high. You should ask in the regional forum for local Alignment shops.

I just had H&R Springs/Spacers installed this weekend and they're perfect! No noise and just feels a tad stiffer than stock.

SoCal 370Z · 12-07-2010, 06:48 PM

Did you seat the coil correct in the strut housing and rubber bumper? Also, the strut nut is not to be reused; if you did reuse it, did you use a thread locker?

Also, since you are not installing a front alignment kit you need to ask the person who does your alignment how much range is left in your stock setup and whether a kit would benefit your setup. If you put on coils you should be able to easily install the rear alignment kit yourself.

Just type into Google Maps: custom wheels, Irvine, CA

Find a listed business that is close to you that can perform an alignment. You do not want to be driving around with your current situation as it is hard your suspension and your tires.

370zFORme!! · 12-07-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Did you seat the coil correct in the strut housing and rubber bumper? Also, the strut nut is not to be reused; if you did reuse it, did you use a thread locker?

Also, since you are not installing a front alignment kit you need to ask the person who does your alignment how much range is left in your stock setup and whether a kit would benefit your setup. If you put on coils you should be able to easily install the rear alignment kit yourself.

Just type into Google Maps: custom wheels, Irvine, CA

Find a listed business that is close to you that can perform an alignment. You do not want to be driving around with your current situation as it is hard your suspension and your tires.

Yes I made sure to seat the spring on the bottom the same way the previous spring was seated. The front strut knuckle has an indentation for the end of the spring which clearly is there for the spring to be seated on. As far as using a separate strut nut, I did not know that it can't be reused as it wasnt mentioned in the DIY instructions that I found here, which was very helpful btw.
The only part that I used a lock washer was on the rear camber arm bolt which was there originally.

I'm taking it to amplified motorsports to have them check my work and make any adjustments.

370zFORme!! · 12-07-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKPAC

I don't know if this helps... my last car was too low for most places, but Sears actually had a lift that could do the alignment.

Noted, thanks! +1

SoCal 370Z · 12-07-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zFORme!!

I did not know that it can't be reused

Nissan's factory Service Manual indicates not to reuse. I'd at least use the right strength thread locker on it.

370zFORme!! · 12-07-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Did you seat the coil correct in the strut housing and rubber bumper? Also, the strut nut is not to be reused; if you did reuse it, did you use a thread locker?

Also, since you are not installing a front alignment kit you need to ask the person who does your alignment how much range is left in your stock setup and whether a kit would benefit your setup. If you put on coils you should be able to easily install the rear alignment kit yourself.

Just type into Google Maps: custom wheels, Irvine, CA

Find a listed business that is close to you that can perform an alignment. You do not want to be driving around with your current situation as it is hard your suspension and your tires.

+1. Thanks.

6mtg37s · 12-10-2010, 04:22 AM

If you come up to glendale there is a tire shop that does dropped cars for 70 bucks. I also had the loose feeling when i intalled the camber kit and my toe was way off, but alignment fixed it. Lou at amplified does a rear kit for 214 installed btw so if your interested call him.

370zFORme!! · 12-11-2010, 02:58 AM

Ya I took it to amplified for the rear camber arms and they tightened everything up. Its a lot better but I still have a bit of steering and bump pull. I'm hoping it's just my toe or caster. What's that shop in Glendale called?

6mtg37s · 12-11-2010, 04:00 PM

Its an american tire depot. The 3 others i tried either didnt do it cuz it was too low or the car couldnt go up the stand.

370Z JT · 12-11-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKPAC

I don't know if this helps... my last car was too low for most places, but Sears actually had a lift that could do the alignment.

I took two of my cars in past to the sears @ south coast and had no complaints. Just be there when they work on the car.

SoCal 370Z · 12-11-2010, 05:05 PM

Wheel Warehouse ask Devin, in Sales to quote you; ask for Max, in Service to align your 370Z.

370zFORme!! · 12-11-2010, 08:29 PM

Ok so I went to Performance Auto Express in Walnut, CA. They were referred to me by Amplified. All I can say is that the alignment tech (Wade) knew exactly what he was doing, and he was wayyy cool. He pretty much asks what specs you want. I was looking for something closer to stock with a bit of negative camber. There were 3 suburas, a g37s and several other imports there for work. They were extra careful with my wheels and had to problem getting me on their rack because they have nice long ramps. Camber and Toe were WAY off. Here are my before and after specs.

The ride is 10x better.

12-07-2010, 03:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
370zFORme!! Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,459 Drives: 2012 6MT STiffy Rep Power: 17	Rough ride after installing springs So this weekend I removed eibach springs and installed H&R springs. After the install, my test drive proved to be a pretty rough ride. When I go over small bumps or drive over a small divet in the road, there is a really loud noise. Not like a clunking sound but more of a thud. Not only that but the rear end feels like it is not as stable as before. I triple checked all bolts and torque wrenched everything. My question is, could I have blown a seal in the front struts or something similar? I can tell my alignment is off because of the instability of the rear end. I tried to take it to an alignment shop to see my alignment specs and they couldn't even get it on their lift cuz it's so low. Where locally could I take it to have them inspect my work and do an alignment for not a lot of money? Please don't say stillen. They quoted me $250 to inspect, $200 for rear camber arms install and $125 for alignment. So ridiculous. Thanks for the responses! __________________ 87' Honda Civic Hatchback: Kaput @ 288,000 miles, 90' Toyota Celica: Kaput @ 175,000 miles, 93' Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4: Kaput @ 138,000 miles, 06' Scion Tc: Traded in @ 64,000 miles, 10' Nissan 370z: Traded in @ 25,000 miles, 12' Subaru Impreza Sti: Current.

12-07-2010, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 490	I can tell you that the hr springs do not make any noise. Something must be wrong, maybe pics? 125 for an alignment isn't too high. You should ask in the regional forum for local Alignment shops. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

12-07-2010, 06:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Did you seat the coil correct in the strut housing and rubber bumper? Also, the strut nut is not to be reused; if you did reuse it, did you use a thread locker? Also, since you are not installing a front alignment kit you need to ask the person who does your alignment how much range is left in your stock setup and whether a kit would benefit your setup. If you put on coils you should be able to easily install the rear alignment kit yourself. Just type into Google Maps: custom wheels, Irvine, CA Find a listed business that is close to you that can perform an alignment. You do not want to be driving around with your current situation as it is hard your suspension and your tires. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

12-11-2010, 02:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
370zFORme!! Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,459 Drives: 2012 6MT STiffy Rep Power: 17	Ya I took it to amplified for the rear camber arms and they tightened everything up. Its a lot better but I still have a bit of steering and bump pull. I'm hoping it's just my toe or caster. What's that shop in Glendale called? __________________ 87' Honda Civic Hatchback: Kaput @ 288,000 miles, 90' Toyota Celica: Kaput @ 175,000 miles, 93' Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4: Kaput @ 138,000 miles, 06' Scion Tc: Traded in @ 64,000 miles, 10' Nissan 370z: Traded in @ 25,000 miles, 12' Subaru Impreza Sti: Current.

12-11-2010, 05:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Wheel Warehouse ask Devin, in Sales to quote you; ask for Max, in Service to align your 370Z. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

12-07-2010, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
JACKPAC Track Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 516 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 17	I don't know if this helps... my last car was too low for most places, but Sears actually had a lift that could do the alignment.

12-10-2010, 04:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
6mtg37s Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 102 Drives: 10 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 15	If you come up to glendale there is a tire shop that does dropped cars for 70 bucks. I also had the loose feeling when i intalled the camber kit and my toe was way off, but alignment fixed it. Lou at amplified does a rear kit for 214 installed btw so if your interested call him.

12-11-2010, 04:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
6mtg37s Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 102 Drives: 10 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 15	Its an american tire depot. The 3 others i tried either didnt do it cuz it was too low or the car couldnt go up the stand.

12-11-2010, 08:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
370zFORme!! Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,459 Drives: 2012 6MT STiffy Rep Power: 17	Ok so I went to Performance Auto Express in Walnut, CA. They were referred to me by Amplified. All I can say is that the alignment tech (Wade) knew exactly what he was doing, and he was wayyy cool. He pretty much asks what specs you want. I was looking for something closer to stock with a bit of negative camber. There were 3 suburas, a g37s and several other imports there for work. They were extra careful with my wheels and had to problem getting me on their rack because they have nice long ramps. Camber and Toe were WAY off. Here are my before and after specs. The ride is 10x better. __________________ 87' Honda Civic Hatchback: Kaput @ 288,000 miles, 90' Toyota Celica: Kaput @ 175,000 miles, 93' Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4: Kaput @ 138,000 miles, 06' Scion Tc: Traded in @ 64,000 miles, 10' Nissan 370z: Traded in @ 25,000 miles, 12' Subaru Impreza Sti: Current.

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