Suspension Help! Weird vibration after lowering springs installed.
#126
No surprise here. I was specifically talking about the ones that cater to use with lowering springs. They ought to have added more travel. Otherwise you sit on your bumstops just like you did with your stockers. I was quite disappointed to find that the koni yellows I had purchased had the same limited travel as my stock struts (this was years back when they were rather new).
What hurdles do you foresee arising? Only ones I can think of is the header flex joint, and clearance due to tight spacing. The VW's guys have been doing it without any other required work.
What hurdles do you foresee arising? Only ones I can think of is the header flex joint, and clearance due to tight spacing. The VW's guys have been doing it without any other required work.
#127
Clearance with the bodywork, shift linkages, plumbing etc. Nothing that can't be done. (Hey, put a 5.0 into a TVR. Anything is possible with a big enough hammer)
Surprised on the yellows as they are specifically listed for lowered springs.
Truth is, modern cars don't have a lot of range to play with. It takes more than just chopping off a spring like the old days. Note that Koni will build any shock you want. All it takes is money. True Choice used to be the rep.
Surprised on the yellows as they are specifically listed for lowered springs.
Truth is, modern cars don't have a lot of range to play with. It takes more than just chopping off a spring like the old days. Note that Koni will build any shock you want. All it takes is money. True Choice used to be the rep.
#128
That's the route I took, although I went with bilstein out of preference and the need for an inverted monotube setup.
#129
#130
I just installed my vmaxx coilovers. i too have the same vibration 1st or 2nd gear. i dont intend on lifting the car back up. someone needs to make a solution!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62378409@N02/5676499761/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62378409@N02/5676499761/
#131
the solution is changing the cv angles one way or another.
CV spacer which no one produces,
Lifting or lowering beyond the vibration threshold
I liftred min 5mm at a time on the coil until it went away and now im smooth as butter!
CV spacer which no one produces,
Lifting or lowering beyond the vibration threshold
I liftred min 5mm at a time on the coil until it went away and now im smooth as butter!
I just installed my vmaxx coilovers. i too have the same vibration 1st or 2nd gear. i dont intend on lifting the car back up. someone needs to make a solution!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62378409@N02/5676499761/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62378409@N02/5676499761/
#133
#136
Ok so I am reviving this thread, I'm experiencing the same vibration issue under acceleration WOT in 6th gear around 2500-3500 RPM.
So your saying you put a spacer at the top of the perch on each strut tower bolt? Sorry just not sure where the spacer went and if after installing that spacer the vibration went away?
I was thinking it was the shocks but it does seem like the CVJ/shafts is where the vibration is coming from.
Has anyone found a remedy on this yet other than going to coilovers and adjusting the ride height?
So your saying you put a spacer at the top of the perch on each strut tower bolt? Sorry just not sure where the spacer went and if after installing that spacer the vibration went away?
I was thinking it was the shocks but it does seem like the CVJ/shafts is where the vibration is coming from.
Has anyone found a remedy on this yet other than going to coilovers and adjusting the ride height?
#138
Ok so I am reviving this thread, I'm experiencing the same vibration issue under acceleration WOT in 6th gear around 2500-3500 RPM.
So your saying you put a spacer at the top of the perch on each strut tower bolt? Sorry just not sure where the spacer went and if after installing that spacer the vibration went away?
I was thinking it was the shocks but it does seem like the CVJ/shafts is where the vibration is coming from.
Has anyone found a remedy on this yet other than going to coilovers and adjusting the ride height?
So your saying you put a spacer at the top of the perch on each strut tower bolt? Sorry just not sure where the spacer went and if after installing that spacer the vibration went away?
I was thinking it was the shocks but it does seem like the CVJ/shafts is where the vibration is coming from.
Has anyone found a remedy on this yet other than going to coilovers and adjusting the ride height?
Try raising (or lowering) the car small amounts (try one round each time) until the vibration dissipates. You will want to have the car re-aligned after making your final adjustment.
#139
The spacer will do the same thing as lifting the car by adjusting the springs (If you have coilovers).
Try raising (or lowering) the car small amounts (try one round each time) until the vibration dissipates. You will want to have the car re-aligned after making your final adjustment.
Try raising (or lowering) the car small amounts (try one round each time) until the vibration dissipates. You will want to have the car re-aligned after making your final adjustment.
Thoughts, this is really killing me, the other option would be to replace the output shaft (aka passenger side).
#140
any thoughts on how with standard struts that don't adjust? Where would I put a spacer? I was thinking between the Strut hat (part that sits on spring) and the Strut guide (the part that mounts into the strut tower of car with 3 bolts)?
Thoughts, this is really killing me, the other option would be to replace the output shaft (aka passenger side).
Thoughts, this is really killing me, the other option would be to replace the output shaft (aka passenger side).
The best place to put a shim is between the spring and the spring perch (see diagram location #1). The bottom would be better than top.
You could place the shim between the upper strut mount and the body (see diagram location #2) however this will change how the suspension travels as well. For this reason I would not recommend location 2. You could shim at location 2 to determine the thickness the shim needs to be, then remove that shim and shim to that thickness at location 1. I would start by adding a 1/8" shim then test. Keep adding a 1/8" shim each time until the vibration dissipates. This way you will raise the car the smallest amount needed to remedy the situation. You will most likely need to fabricate the shims unless someone knows of a source (unlikely) for the required shims.
#141
#142
As for the driveshaft, it is possible but unlikely that it is causing the issue.
#143
That location would cause the same issues as location 2. If you shim there you may encounter thread engagement issues. You must maintain full engagement of all threads and the the locking ring at the top of the nut. Additionally, any time the nut at the top of the strut shaft is removed it should be replaced with a new nut. Things get really ugly if that nut comes off while driving.
As for the driveshaft, it is possible but unlikely that it is causing the issue.
As for the driveshaft, it is possible but unlikely that it is causing the issue.
#144
Yes I see your point on all accounts. The driveshaft angle issue has been discussed at length and the harmonic vibration from what I've read is indeed from the driveshaft because of the angle that lowering causes, this happens on some cars and not others. I guess I could go coilovers but the NM springs only lower 1.2" and max height on a coil kit is usually 1.2" of lowering. I'm kinda of stuck....
There is something you could try, but I would not recommend it as a permanent solution. Do a google search for "spring rubbers". You could get a small (aprox 1/2") rubber and try that to see if it reduces or eliminates the issue. It's up to you if you decide to keep it long term. If you do keep them in, inspect them frequently and replace as needed.
Good luck
#145
Welcome to the world of "Hot Rodding".
There is something you could try, but I would not recommend it as a permanent solution. Do a google search for "spring rubbers". You could get a small (aprox 1/2") rubber and try that to see if it reduces or eliminates the issue. It's up to you if you decide to keep it long term. If you do keep them in, inspect them frequently and replace as needed.
Good luck
There is something you could try, but I would not recommend it as a permanent solution. Do a google search for "spring rubbers". You could get a small (aprox 1/2") rubber and try that to see if it reduces or eliminates the issue. It's up to you if you decide to keep it long term. If you do keep them in, inspect them frequently and replace as needed.
Good luck
Last edited by localbrew; 01-15-2012 at 05:59 PM.
#146
#147
Wanted to post a follow-up, ST Coilovers installed and vibration is gone. It entirely has to do with the angle of the CV Joint/shaft. I'm a little higher now than when I had just the springs so that seemed to solve it. I could have done the trial an error thing with spacers or rubber inserts but wanted one and done. Thanks to everyone who provided ideas and help.
#148
Wanted to post a follow-up, ST Coilovers installed and vibration is gone. It entirely has to do with the angle of the CV Joint/shaft. I'm a little higher now than when I had just the springs so that seemed to solve it. I could have done the trial an error thing with spacers or rubber inserts but wanted one and done. Thanks to everyone who provided ideas and help.
Last edited by dortoh; 01-21-2012 at 08:07 AM.
#149
It's a little strange because I'm almost at the point I was with the springs installed, just maybe .5" higher or even less. When I first installed the coilovers I had about a 3 finger gap between tire and fender arch, with zero vibration. Was a bit higher than I liked so I lowered it down a bit, it was two full rotations as noted from the set screw facing out. the back is a little different the measurements are not the same on both sides. The only thing is I also replaced my top strut mounts with new OEM units. The car has 84k miles so the old struts were most likely shot in my opinion. I didn't take any measurements from the center hub to the top arch but I can say that I think if I went any lower from where I am now the vibration will come back, I feel like I might even slightly (could be imagination) feel it now. I'll drive it for a week and see how it goes, if it's there I'll raise it back one full rotation of the perch.
Last edited by localbrew; 01-22-2012 at 01:15 PM.
#150