how to tell if springs are bad?
08-02-2008, 10:13 PM
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how to tell if springs are bad? I have recently changed my back shocks because when I would drive over a bump or train tracks it sounded like my car would just bottom out or the tires were hitting the bump stops. Do springs go bad and how can you tell?
08-03-2008, 03:23 AM
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two things could be happening....cold weather will cause a thump type noise or if they are shot the easiest way to "ghetto" test em is to try and bounce the bumper up and down a few times. you will get a little bounce/rebound, but if you significantly notice movement then it's time for some new ones. I currently run the strange double adjustables; sits a little low for some reason but quite happy with them. Springs RARELY go bad, although I have had them pop right out on some hard launches....
08-03-2008, 09:08 AM
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honestly not really, it feels the same as before I replaced them just notice some squeaking when I'm driving over bumps or turning. And by squeaking it sounds like one of those squeaker toys when I hit bumps or turn left or right.
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08-03-2008, 01:12 PM
#8
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Bad as in "worn out", no. Bad as in they come valved badly? Yes.
The stock shocks suck, period. Too much compression (this is what you are feeling in the rear) and not enough rebound (floaty, disconnected feel).
So the question will probably come up "what should you buy then"?
I say call Sam Strano at stranoparts.com, tell him exactly what you are looking for and he'll advise you on what will work for you.
As for me, I can tell you right now Konis will eliminate this (assuming all else is okay with your suspension), because I know the exact feeling you are talking about with the stock shocks, and after putting on Konis on otherwise stock suspension its a totally different car. I will never own another fbody without at least Konis.
08-03-2008, 02:25 PM
#9
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I was orignially going to go with bilsteins but i was told that since i wasn't autox or racing it woudln't matter on what shocks. So i just got some Monroe shocks from O reilly as that was all they had.
08-03-2008, 03:45 PM
#10
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Shocks make all the difference in the world, and now you know why the monroe's are so cheap and no one recommends them.
Bilstiens are on national backorder, so you cant get them even if you wanted. Like I said give Sam a call.
08-03-2008, 09:49 PM
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When hitting the tracks around 70
but its like not uneven but the bumps that I'm hitting I'm going maybe 20? It just feels like I have no type of suspension at this point, I hit a bump and it feels like it just rumble through the whole car. The only reason I notice the tracks is because I drive the same road every Sunday and just recently noticed that it hits harder than before and the road has been worked on and is in better shape than before.
but its like not uneven but the bumps that I'm hitting I'm going maybe 20? It just feels like I have no type of suspension at this point, I hit a bump and it feels like it just rumble through the whole car. The only reason I notice the tracks is because I drive the same road every Sunday and just recently noticed that it hits harder than before and the road has been worked on and is in better shape than before. 
08-04-2008, 12:18 AM
#15
Also check the condition of your bumpstops, and check the exhaust pipe where it goes over the axle for signs of wear(axle hitting it). 
Have you measured your rear ride height(top of wheelwell arch to ground)?
Springs can get bent, I replaced a set of rear eibach pro-kit springs that were bent ; just from 3 yrs of daily driving!
Have you measured your rear ride height(top of wheelwell arch to ground)?
Springs can get bent, I replaced a set of rear eibach pro-kit springs that were bent ; just from 3 yrs of daily driving!
08-04-2008, 07:46 AM
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Also check the condition of your bumpstops, and check the exhaust pipe where it goes over the axle for signs of wear(axle hitting it).
Have you measured your rear ride height(top of wheelwell arch to ground)?
Springs can get bent, I replaced a set of rear eibach pro-kit springs that were bent ; just from 3 yrs of daily driving!
Have you measured your rear ride height(top of wheelwell arch to ground)?
Springs can get bent, I replaced a set of rear eibach pro-kit springs that were bent ; just from 3 yrs of daily driving!
08-04-2008, 09:11 AM
#17
When hitting the tracks around 70 but its like not uneven but the bumps that I'm hitting I'm going maybe 20? It just feels like I have no type of suspension at this point, I hit a bump and it feels like it just rumble through the whole car. The only reason I notice the tracks is because I drive the same road every Sunday and just recently noticed that it hits harder than before and the road has been worked on and is in better shape than before.
but its like not uneven but the bumps that I'm hitting I'm going maybe 20? It just feels like I have no type of suspension at this point, I hit a bump and it feels like it just rumble through the whole car. The only reason I notice the tracks is because I drive the same road every Sunday and just recently noticed that it hits harder than before and the road has been worked on and is in better shape than before. The springs take the initial brunt of the bumps and these cars don't have a lot of travel. (You have even less travel since you have an SS - maybe less if you are lowered.) So regardless, 70 over tracks and 20 over speed bumps is probably pushing it shouldn't be a surprise that you are fully compressing your springs. (Unless you make your car in to a monster truck or a rally car, you probably won't be able to hit these obstacles at these speeds.)Over time, your springs will wear some, but not like a shock will. So, its probably normal that they don't feel like-new. The shocks you have now will not do your SS justice and should be better matched better to the car. If you want the whole suspension to feel like-new, you might consider getting a new spring/shock set. As said above, Sam Strano would be a good person to talk to about this. In addition to shocks, he can give you great insight in to your springs, as well. (You might also search for some of his posts here on springs.)
08-04-2008, 12:40 PM
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Remember, you aren't driving the General Lee! The springs take the initial brunt of the bumps and these cars don't have a lot of travel. (You have even less travel since you have an SS - maybe less if you are lowered.) So regardless, 70 over tracks and 20 over speed bumps is probably pushing it shouldn't be a surprise that you are fully compressing your springs. (Unless you make your car in to a monster truck or a rally car, you probably won't be able to hit these obstacles at these speeds.)
Over time, your springs will wear some, but not like a shock will. So, its probably normal that they don't feel like-new. The shocks you have now will not do your SS justice and should be better matched better to the car. If you want the whole suspension to feel like-new, you might consider getting a new spring/shock set. As said above, Sam Strano would be a good person to talk to about this. In addition to shocks, he can give you great insight in to your springs, as well. (You might also search for some of his posts here on springs.)
The springs take the initial brunt of the bumps and these cars don't have a lot of travel. (You have even less travel since you have an SS - maybe less if you are lowered.) So regardless, 70 over tracks and 20 over speed bumps is probably pushing it shouldn't be a surprise that you are fully compressing your springs. (Unless you make your car in to a monster truck or a rally car, you probably won't be able to hit these obstacles at these speeds.)Over time, your springs will wear some, but not like a shock will. So, its probably normal that they don't feel like-new. The shocks you have now will not do your SS justice and should be better matched better to the car. If you want the whole suspension to feel like-new, you might consider getting a new spring/shock set. As said above, Sam Strano would be a good person to talk to about this. In addition to shocks, he can give you great insight in to your springs, as well. (You might also search for some of his posts here on springs.)
08-04-2008, 06:36 PM
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