Installing H&R race Springs how to tell when middle shock bolt is tight

[Cragelarson83]

That's what happens with a blown shock. Your back end kicks out over bumps because you're only riding on one back wheel for a split second.
When I had a blown shock up front, my car would dive violently in that direction every time I hit the brakes.

Most people think shocks just exist to make your ride more comfortable. They are much more than that. They keep your car stable. Without them, you will literally be all over the road.

Yeah i know that they are bad. I have new ones ones coming soon. I thought it might be that my rear wheel alignment is out of whack. I installed aluminum lca's because the bolt was froze in the old ones. Anyways i know everyone is probably thinking I'm stupid for even driving this way. I assure everyone i have no choice. It's weird that it didn't do this with the cheap coil over sleeves. Thanks for the replies.

[deevergote]

That's what happens with a blown shock. Your back end kicks out over bumps because you're only riding on one back wheel for a split second.
When I had a blown shock up front, my car would dive violently in that direction every time I hit the brakes.

Most people think shocks just exist to make your ride more comfortable. They are much more than that. They keep your car stable. Without them, you will literally be all over the road.

[Cragelarson83]

Rear shock is definitely blown. Had it happen to me. Basically, when you hit a bump, the shock has almost no damping power, and you are hearing the spring oscillating up and down quickly before it finally slow enough to not bang. You need shocks asap. Its only going to get worse, and is putting a ton of undue stress on other suspension components.

So another issue I'm having is when i hit any type of bump my back end kicks out. Its pretty bad. I've been driving like a grandma for the last few months cause my money is super tight and I'm scared that something will fail. I wish i had a second car. That's life though. I probably am going to start another thread about this. I have searched with no luck.

[Cragelarson83]

probably a stupid question but did you install insulators in the top and bottom? on my old setup i had a noise but it was because i did not install the rubber insulator with the coilovers.

I've been so busy lately that i haven't been able to check my replies. I apologize. Your question isn't stupid. I might be stupid though because i don't know what you are talking about so chances are i didn't install them. Can you be a little more specific about what they look like.

[Corweena]

Rear shock is definitely blown. Had it happen to me. Basically, when you hit a bump, the shock has almost no damping power, and you are hearing the spring oscillating up and down quickly before it finally slow enough to not bang. You need shocks asap. Its only going to get worse, and is putting a ton of undue stress on other suspension components.

[Crankshaft]

probably a stupid question but did you install insulators in the top and bottom? on my old setup i had a noise but it was because i did not install the rubber insulator with the coilovers.

[illinois_erik]

trailing arm bushes are probably shot

[Cragelarson83]

Drive it as little as possible, then. Even at low speeds, that's a ton and a half of steel that you might not be able to control. I always use the example of a kid chasing a ball into the street. If you slam on your brakes and your wheels start bouncing up and down, you're not going to be able to stop or swerve to avoid that kid. Get Konis in there as soon as you can, and drive the car as carefully and sparingly as possible.

I didn't mention that the noise is only in the rear. No noise at all from the front. It sounds like the spring is loose and banging around when i hit a bump....idk... I've read a lot of threads about people driving around with seriously dangerous cars... On back roads around my house i tried brake checks multiple times and didn't have any issues...but I'm still driving very safe...i just don't want you guys( by that i mean this forum) thinking that i don't care and just drive carelessly. Thank you all for your input and answers..

[Cragelarson83]

It's crazy that there was no noise with the cheapo coil overs...then i install some above average springs i get all sorts of noise.. That just proves that all these kids completely slammed on there frames with even cheaper ebay coil overs and straight pipes flying around town are freaking idiots.... I wasn't slammed and i can imagine how bad it would've been if i was...its just stupid...

[Cragelarson83]

Drive it as little as possible, then. Even at low speeds, that's a ton and a half of steel that you might not be able to control. I always use the example of a kid chasing a ball into the street. If you slam on your brakes and your wheels start bouncing up and down, you're not going to be able to stop or swerve to avoid that kid. Get Konis in there as soon as you can, and drive the car as carefully and sparingly as possible.

Yeah i only go to work and back...it's 3 exits up the freeway. In the morning it's a ghost town and when i get off I'm in bumper to bumper traffic... I completely understand what you're saying though and in a little over a week the new shocks will be in it. After completely disassembling the rear shocks and putting them back together according to the diagram with the same results..i know for certain the shocks are toast. Thanks again as always for everyone's help.

[deevergote]

Drive it as little as possible, then. Even at low speeds, that's a ton and a half of steel that you might not be able to control. I always use the example of a kid chasing a ball into the street. If you slam on your brakes and your wheels start bouncing up and down, you're not going to be able to stop or swerve to avoid that kid. Get Konis in there as soon as you can, and drive the car as carefully and sparingly as possible.

[Cragelarson83]

If you had stock shocks slammed on generic coilover sleeves, I can pretty much guarantee that they are blown. You're going to want to replace them, as blown shocks will seriously degrade your car's ability to handle and stop. Especially in an emergency, when you need it to do those things the most!

The only easily found shocks that will handle H&R Race will be Koni Sport (Yellows) or Tokico Illuminas. You can probably find the Konis on sale still. Those are the better of the two anyway. You'd be smart to get those ASAP. If you're on a tight budget, pick up some cheap-o Gabriel, Monroe, or (the better option) KYB "quick struts", which are a pre-assembled spring/shock combo. Basically stock replacement, but it'll make your car safe to drive. Once you can afford the Konis, sell the quick struts to someone else that needs them.

And that it's exactly what my plan is. Koni yellows. I only had the coil overs for 2months but I'm positive my shocks are blown. When i compress then they don't come back up..at least at such a low rate i can't see it. Lol.. I drive like a grandma because of that. It's my only car or i would just park it till i got the Koni's.

[deevergote]

If you had stock shocks slammed on generic coilover sleeves, I can pretty much guarantee that they are blown. You're going to want to replace them, as blown shocks will seriously degrade your car's ability to handle and stop. Especially in an emergency, when you need it to do those things the most!

The only easily found shocks that will handle H&R Race will be Koni Sport (Yellows) or Tokico Illuminas. You can probably find the Konis on sale still. Those are the better of the two anyway. You'd be smart to get those ASAP. If you're on a tight budget, pick up some cheap-o Gabriel, Monroe, or (the better option) KYB "quick struts", which are a pre-assembled spring/shock combo. Basically stock replacement, but it'll make your car safe to drive. Once you can afford the Konis, sell the quick struts to someone else that needs them.

[Cragelarson83]

youll run out of threads, then pink knuckle it. were nylock nuts supplied? the technical spec is like 14 - 22 ft pounds. covered by good n tight.

the oem damper is a wee bit different, but hope this helps


and


rear

So I have everything right except I don't have the rubber pieces between the top and bottom of the spring in the metal bracket so I guess that could be what it is either that or just because my shocks are completely blown which I wouldn't doubt. I did have the rubber pieces that are cone-shaped a backwards butt we'll see thank you so much the diagram is exactly what I needed

[illinois_erik]

youll run out of threads, then pink knuckle it. were nylock nuts supplied? the technical spec is like 14 - 22 ft pounds. covered by good n tight.

the oem damper is a wee bit different, but hope this helps


and


rear