[Guest]

OK, about 3-4 months ago (gueess), I installed new Monroe SS shocks, Hotchkis springs, upper and lower ball joints, moog idler arm.

My SS has gradually rode worse and worse ever since then. It feels like I'm riding over a washboard sometimes - even when the suspension shoud soak up the imperfections at hand (in my opinion). I'm not sure where to go from here. I guess it could be a tire with a separation, a bad shock, etc. Any ideas? Is anyone else just totally unimpressed with their Hotchkis/Monroe SS setup?

It feels like an old POS now. Everything rattles, etc. If it wasn't for the looks, I wish I had never lowered the damn thing.

 

[Guest]

Monroe shocks are junk, try the Bilsteins. Good luck, but don't give up hope, you will figure it out.

 

[Guest]

There is no doubt that going to a stiffer spring and a 275/40 tire will hurt your ride quality. I don't have any experience with those shocks... but if they are firmer than stock... that won't help either.

 

[Guest]

Good advice Bill. I'm leaning towards the same thing actually. I doubt it's the springs or ball joints. The symptoms just don't warrant it.

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Rustic:
There is no doubt that going to a stiffer spring and a 275/40 tire will hurt your ride quality. I don't have any experience with those shocks... but if they are firmer than stock... that won't help either.

I've had the 275/40s for quite some time now (20k+ miles). I'm thinking of going back to the stock size to get a little more sidewall.

However, my car doesn't seem to 'dampen' the bumps. The smallest road imperfections feel like railroad tracks (not exaggerating). Basically as if my 'new shocks' were shot.

 

[Guest]

The springs are going to be alot stiffer, which will transfer all the imperfections on the road suface to the vehicle. Are your tires balanced, wheels aligned? How's the rest of your front end, are the tie rods or center link worn? Who did the install, did they use the spring isolators? What about the bump stops? Also what size tires do you have. I have the hotchkis set up, except I use the bilsteins, which were on long before the springs, and my car definitely rode more "harsh" than with the stock springs, but it didn't feel like anything was wrong once I got a wheel alignment. I later switched to 275/40/17 from stock SS size and that further increased the harsness, but it handles so much better. And it's not nearly as harsh as my import. There's certain roads I won't even drive on with that thing.

Dang, you guys are quick. There were no responses when I started my reply. I see now in his sig he has the 275/40's.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by maesstro:
The springs are going to be alot stiffer, which will transfer all the imperfections on the road suface to the vehicle. Are your tires balanced, wheels aligned? How's the rest of your front end, are the tie rods or center link worn? Who did the install, did they use the spring isolators? What about the bump stops? Also what size tires do you have. I have the hotchkis set up, except I use the bilsteins, which were on long before the springs, and my car definitely rode more "harsh" than with the stock springs, but it didn't feel like anything was wrong once I got a wheel alignment. I later switched to 275/40/17 from stock SS size and that further increased the harsness, but it handles so much better. And it's not nearly as harsh as my import. There's certain roads I won't even drive on with that thing.

OK, I did the install. Isolators were installed (top only on front, top and bottom on rears). Front bump stops are ZQ8s with the 'beveled portion' trimmed off. Rear bump stops are hotchkis (the triangular ones on the axle). I didn't replace the one ABOVE the rear end housing. As far as the tie rod ends/centerlink goes, all is well. All were in spec and I experience NO wandering. Handling is great actually. There is no play in the front end. I DO however, hear a popping noise in the front end (left front I think) when I'm back up and cranking the wheel a bit. I've already greased the steering stops with grease - no change.

Oh, one final thing - tires are 275/40/17s per signature.

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Bilstiens made the SS ride amazing!! NO more POUNDING!!!

You checked your air pressure right? You prolly did.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, checked air pressure. They are all sitting at 35lbs right now. The thing that puzzles me is that the ride seems to be getting worse - as if something's failing. *sigh*

P.S. Which Bilsteins are you using? The 1104/929s?

 

[Guest]

P.S. Which Bilsteins are you using? The 1104/929s?

The sport ones, I think that's the right number.

Edit: Yes, 1104/929 is correct.

 

[Guest]

I have the 1104/929s

 

[Guest]

Check your sway bar end link bushings. Look for excessive squish, deformity or cracking. Maybe check your wheel bearings, too. My car's ride fit your description and since new wheel bearings and end link bushings, it feels better, but still isn't "there" yet.

 

[Guest]

My endlinks are new BUT I didn't torque them down to any certain spec. I just got about a half-squish on the bushings. I'm sure that's not the right way to do it so I'll do it per the FSM. Also, is it possible to have your lower control arm bolts TOO tight - thereby creating bind?

 

[Guest]

I installed Vogtland springs (same as Hotchkis) with Monroe SS shocks on my '95 a couple months ago. Also replaced LBJ's, tie rod ends, center link, idler arm, etc. a week afterwards to get an alignment.
The car rides better than I expected, nothing like you are experiencing. My wife actually drives this car 30 miles a day to work and she loves it.

 

[Guest]

GMguy you also have to have the car's weight on the sway bar end links when fully tightening them down.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I'll do it on the ramps this weekend. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Guest]

You don't happen to have the sway bar on upside down do you? If so, it would definitely act like this!

 

[Guest]

Nope... when I did the install, I just removed the endlinks. I never actually removed the bar itself.

Thanks for the idea though!

 

[Guest]

GMguy, something is definately wrong. I have lower springs than you, Sprintechs, and Monroe SS's. I absorb small bumps fine without a noise. Large bumps its a litte hard but that is expected when you lower a car. All I can tell you is to go with some new shocks but my monroes are doing ok. I am going with bilsteins this winter to see if there is a difference.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Rustic:
I don't have any experience with those shocks... but if they are firmer than stock... that won't help either.

A firmer spring (like hotchkiss) will actually perform better and feel better with a firmer shock than a softer shock...thats a simple differential equation.

I wouldn't expect any Monroe shock to last more than a few months...I'd only consider them as a temporary shock if for some reason my Bilsteins have to go back for repair under the LIFETIME WARRANTY...just to let me keep driving the car while I waited for a turn around on the repair. But I'm just a 23 year old driving a cheap 9C1...maybe I can justify the $260 or whatever it was for my bilsteins cause I spent less on the car in the first place.