Suspension issue HELP!!!!!!

FESTEC · 22-03-2010, 04:39 PM

Hi all,

Need some help, over the last couple of months my car has started to drive like a pig, the steering wheel vibrates something shocking and when going over a bump the car just does not handle it at all. Now I thought this just may be a alignment and balance issue but I had all the done on Saturday and still the same issue, it driving me crazy

: and not sure what is wrong. Can any one shed some light on what it may be.
Also it a 2006 ls zetec hatch

Cheers
Adrian

marg99 · 22-03-2010, 05:15 PM

Sounds like you have a failed front shock absorber. Easy to tell just push hard on the front side of the car and see if it goes up and down more than once of it it seems too soft going. Other way is to see if the shocker is leaking fluid ( assuming its not gas filled)
Otherwise I would be looking at the steering components like the idler arm

casabonka · 22-03-2010, 05:19 PM

How many KMS have you done?
Pedders do a fairly cheap suspension check also which may be handy if you have one close.
I think its a $14/14 point safety check they always advertise.

FESTEC · 22-03-2010, 05:20 PM

Car has done 86,325km and its still the stock suspension...

mohit · 22-03-2010, 05:56 PM

Regarding the vibration check for out of round tyres

FESTEC · 22-03-2010, 06:03 PM

tyres have only done about 11,000km and in perfect condition, and had the fronts put on the rear and problem stiil there. In a straight line at normal speed its vibrates only a little bit, it gets crazy at higher 70+ km speeds though.

mohit · 22-03-2010, 08:14 PM

Check your CV half shafts

FESTEC · 24-03-2010, 02:15 PM

O.k just came home from pedders after having a 28 point inspection and probles are:

1:Front wheels were balanced wrong (not f'ing happy as only had them balanced saturday morning

: )
2:Front shocks stuffed
3:Rear shocks near stuffed
4:Radius bushes have excessive play, need to be replaced
5:R/H side CV Joint has small play (nothing to worry about though)
6:Rear sway bar D bushes have slight play (nothing to worry about)

Got a quote from Pedders for the XA Coilovers + camber kit + uratahne radius bushes fitted for $2221 what do you all think of the price????

Any other option you can all help me out with????

Tj-zetec · 24-03-2010, 03:11 PM

I Found pedders to be a little on the expensive side when I've been shopping for susspension work in the past, but there's nothing really wrong with their work.

Shop around is all I can suggest.

I can't believe all that is stuffed after 80,000 odd K's! You don't take it out country do you? Not that it should worry it.

casabonka · 24-03-2010, 03:37 PM

Where r u located mate? I found Pedders quiet exy last time i needed work done on a car.
Few good places around Sydney if you are there!

FESTEC · 24-03-2010, 06:04 PM

casabonka,I am located on the gold coast.

The breakdown on the quote is:
XA Coilovers :$1600
Fitting:$300
Rear Camber Kit : $360 fitted
Radius Bushes : $249 fitted
R.R.P Total: $ 2509.00 Fitted
My price: $2221.

I know of only 2 other shocks that are made for the LS and they are the pedders comfort gas and bilstiens, so does any one else know of any others that I can look for and get a price on.

I do like the idea of the coilovers so I can lower the car as well but not sure if I can justify them.......

Tj-zetec · 24-03-2010, 08:03 PM

Coil overs are pretty pricey, but performance wise the better option.

If you want to lower it while you're at it, install lowered springs (eibach, king springs, lovells just to name a few) and some matching dampers. I'm sure someone on here knows of a good combo. I bought a set of king superlows for another car for about $180 for the front. You can get a set of 4 Eibachs on www.european-parts.net for a very reasonable price too.

(oh and for all of about $200ish bucks you can throw in a rear sway bar that'll transform the car. Easy to install too if you know how to twirl a spanner)