jdmspoonitr

iTrader: (1)

Hey All,

I am trying to sort out a suspension issue I have been having the past year or so on my track car. It's absolutely driving me nuts, so maybe one of you has had similar issues and can help me diagnose.

Symptoms:
-Violent steering wheel vibration driving on any pavement that is not completely smooth. Seemed to start happening all of a sudden, wasn't gradual.
-Seems to happen only above 65mph
-Seems worst on "grooved" pavement on freeway and also rough pavement.
-On a smooth racetrack it seems to be fine, the problem is usually on the way to the track.

Car Setup:
-01 ITR
-Koni Race shocks
-Wicked Tuning Front Camber Arms
-Stock bushings

Components Ruled Out:
-Wheels/Tires (tried multiple sets same vibration)
-Bearings (checked by my mechanic)
-Axle (swapped out driver side just to be sure) seemed to get better, but not sure if really an improvement.
-Alignment (the car aligned perfectly, so I imagine this rules out bent knuckles etc?)

Things I'd like to check:
-tie rod ends
-bushings
-rack and pinion


Is there anything else that I should be looking into? I hate to just start changing parts out to find it, but I'm at a loss for what this could be. It hasn't been an issue in my last event, but I'm worried if it's something that is loose. I don't want to risk my car or anyone's elses car because I failed to find the problem.

Any help greatly appreciated guys and gals!


-Ken

Root of all Evil

Time for a nut and bolt check. My subframe bolts have backed out several times.

Honda Type R

I had an overall "odd" feeling in the front end of my car. Couldn't quite place it. It kept chewing tires and over 6 months it had to be aligned 3 times. I couldn't figure it out. It had a vibration at 80mph and would come back north of 100mph. Did it with 2 sets of tires so I ruled out balancing. Then one day it started feeling really loose. I jacked it up and one of the front LCA bolts was hanging out about 1/4" I tried to tighten it with no luck. The welded nut inside the subframe had broken off. Luckily I had a spare front end. I swapped LCA's, subframe, and rack (depower DC rack) into the car and it fixed everything. No more shakes, the car feels way more planted in the curves, and I feel like the ride is smoother. The old LCA's had Energy Suspension bushings and they were so worn out that the inner sleeve fell out of the bushing. So check your bolts and bushings. Make sure you tighten everything with weight on the suspension during reassembly. Sorry for the long post, I figured the whole story would help out.

Cliff notes: my bushings were shot, a bolt had backed out, and my car sucked to drive because of it

jdmspoonitr

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. Yah I just need to set up some time on a buddies lift and just go over everything. It just doesn't feel right. The odd thing is that smooth surfaces and low speeds it feels perfect.

Honda Type R

Let us know what you figure out!

CW-ITR

iTrader: (11)

Don't waste time on the suspension. It's the driver. LOL. JK.
Hope you find the root cause. It has to be one the 3 things: Loose nuts/bolts, worn tie rod ends or worn/broken BUSHINGs <--I think this.

donut.

Check your ball joints (upper and lower). If you pry them and see any play, they're bad.

Btw, you should definitely start routinely replacing parts BEFORE they start showing signs, especially if its a track car, and especially if its been a year with the issue. lol Chances are you need to need an overhaul anyway. I'd replace all the things.

jdmspoonitr

iTrader: (1)

Yah trust me a year sounds bad, but in that year the car has probably done 1000 miles.

I've been driving the other car until i get a free day to look it over.

I've been spoiled with this car. Basically pads, rotors, tires, fluid changes have kept it running well. The car has less than 40k original miles, so it's probably just something loose.