Diagnosing a blown damper......how do I go about it (this is a long one).....?????
10-10-2006, 06:52 PM
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Diagnosing a blown damper......how do I go about it (this is a long one).....?????
Like the post says. I 've been having a big problem with my DC2 for the last few months. I am having a rattling sound coming from the driver's side front of the car. The car is pretty low, but still has enough suspension travel. It sounds like its metal to metal contact, but I can't determine what it is. I took it to a few different mechanics and they all tell me different things. I have already replaced the following with OEM Honda parts....sway bar end links, sway bar bushings, and the engine mount that goes down by the A/C compressor because the car has A/C and it was ripped, yet the car still make sthe same noise.
The car was involved in a minor hit and run, but did not suffer any damage to the coilover, yet the body shop replaced the spindle, hub, wheel bearing, and lower control arm with brand new OEM Honda parts so I have no idea what could be causing it.
Some mechanics tell me its the ball joints. Others tell me it could be the upper strut mount. Yet others tell me its the upper control arm bushings.....I have run out of possible solutions. I believe it can not be the ball joints or else the body shop would've not been able to align the car.
The coilovers I have are the Buddy Club Racing Spec damper. The damper settings are set at 5 all around. I hear the noise after I hit a bump almost as if something is loose. When I hit a bump, the damper feels nice and stiff so I don't think it can be the damper, yet it sounds almost as if it is. When I drive the car, it rides nice and smooth too. Don't know if the springs may have something to do with it. The spring rates are 12k in the front and 9k in the rear. My pops tells me that bushings can not be the culprit either because bad bushings do not make such a harsh rattle like that. Only thing that has not been replaced is the upper control arms because they seem to be fine.
I was hoping someone on here could help me determine what it is because I hav erun out of ideas. This past weekend I jacked the car up and checked it for play. I used a jack to jack up the control arm and relieve tension on the spring and unload the suspension, yet everything seems nice and tight, no play. The upper strut mount seems fine too. It did not droop or lift out of place. I checked the damper itself and I do not see any oil or anything leaking out of it and the dust boot that goes over the piston is fine too. So what can it be?
Please help me out guys. I was going to take it to the dealership this week but I don't want to because they'll just charge me and tell me its rattling because its an aftermarket suspension.
I've gotten really fed up with this problem.
Thanx guys!
The car was involved in a minor hit and run, but did not suffer any damage to the coilover, yet the body shop replaced the spindle, hub, wheel bearing, and lower control arm with brand new OEM Honda parts so I have no idea what could be causing it.
Some mechanics tell me its the ball joints. Others tell me it could be the upper strut mount. Yet others tell me its the upper control arm bushings.....I have run out of possible solutions. I believe it can not be the ball joints or else the body shop would've not been able to align the car.
The coilovers I have are the Buddy Club Racing Spec damper. The damper settings are set at 5 all around. I hear the noise after I hit a bump almost as if something is loose. When I hit a bump, the damper feels nice and stiff so I don't think it can be the damper, yet it sounds almost as if it is. When I drive the car, it rides nice and smooth too. Don't know if the springs may have something to do with it. The spring rates are 12k in the front and 9k in the rear. My pops tells me that bushings can not be the culprit either because bad bushings do not make such a harsh rattle like that. Only thing that has not been replaced is the upper control arms because they seem to be fine.
I was hoping someone on here could help me determine what it is because I hav erun out of ideas. This past weekend I jacked the car up and checked it for play. I used a jack to jack up the control arm and relieve tension on the spring and unload the suspension, yet everything seems nice and tight, no play. The upper strut mount seems fine too. It did not droop or lift out of place. I checked the damper itself and I do not see any oil or anything leaking out of it and the dust boot that goes over the piston is fine too. So what can it be?
Please help me out guys. I was going to take it to the dealership this week but I don't want to because they'll just charge me and tell me its rattling because its an aftermarket suspension.
I've gotten really fed up with this problem.
Thanx guys!
10-10-2006, 08:07 PM
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sounds like a bad shock on that corner. hopefullly buddy club will RMA that shock and rebuild/replace it for you. Or at leas let you buy one new shock.
It's the spring that makes the corner feel stiff, not the shock. Feel for that corner 'pogoing' after a sharp bump, or more understeer when that corner is the outside corner. A blown shock can be hard to diagnose on a stiff, low street car because the performance issues arn't too obvious. That noise definately gives it away tho.
It's the spring that makes the corner feel stiff, not the shock. Feel for that corner 'pogoing' after a sharp bump, or more understeer when that corner is the outside corner. A blown shock can be hard to diagnose on a stiff, low street car because the performance issues arn't too obvious. That noise definately gives it away tho.
10-10-2006, 11:33 PM
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Re: (sdcivic549)
It sounds like your Buddy Clubs came with the pillowball upper mount. That's the problem right there. Do not use the pillowball upper mount, you need to use stock top hats because there's urethane bushings in there vs. the pillowball which is metal on metal almost
10-11-2006, 05:58 AM
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Re: (R-Lug)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by R-Lug »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It sounds like your Buddy Clubs came with the pillowball upper mount. That's the problem right there. Do not use the pillowball upper mount, you need to use stock top hats because there's urethane bushings in there vs. the pillowball which is metal on metal almost</TD></TR></TABLE>
Mine didn't come with the pillow ball upper mounts, but they did come with these metal hats over the spring and I used those in conjunction with the OEM upper strut mounts. I plan to take everything apart this weekend so I was wondering if there was a way for me to determine if the shock is blown by pressing down on the shock piston? What signs do I look for?
Mine didn't come with the pillow ball upper mounts, but they did come with these metal hats over the spring and I used those in conjunction with the OEM upper strut mounts. I plan to take everything apart this weekend so I was wondering if there was a way for me to determine if the shock is blown by pressing down on the shock piston? What signs do I look for?
10-11-2006, 06:01 AM
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Re: (sdcivic549)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sdcivic549 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds like a bad shock on that corner. hopefullly buddy club will RMA that shock and rebuild/replace it for you. Or at leas let you buy one new shock.
It's the spring that makes the corner feel stiff, not the shock. Feel for that corner 'pogoing' after a sharp bump, or more understeer when that corner is the outside corner. A blown shock can be hard to diagnose on a stiff, low street car because the performance issues arn't too obvious. That noise definately gives it away tho.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You know, i ahve felt a little understeer in that corner with my factory 15'' wheels. With my 16" wheels, I feel no understeer...but u might be right. I'm calling Buddy Club today and check on my warranty....see if I have any left and see what options they give me.
It's the spring that makes the corner feel stiff, not the shock. Feel for that corner 'pogoing' after a sharp bump, or more understeer when that corner is the outside corner. A blown shock can be hard to diagnose on a stiff, low street car because the performance issues arn't too obvious. That noise definately gives it away tho.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You know, i ahve felt a little understeer in that corner with my factory 15'' wheels. With my 16" wheels, I feel no understeer...but u might be right. I'm calling Buddy Club today and check on my warranty....see if I have any left and see what options they give me.
10-11-2006, 07:38 AM
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Re: Diagnosing a blown damper......how do I go about it (this is a long one).....????? (1JDMDOMINICA
in for the outcome. i have a problem with my front right. it feels like the upper control arm or something hit's the fender well when i make a hard turn. i dunno if it's because i have 205 vs 195 series tires on my eg.
10-11-2006, 07:48 AM
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Re: Diagnosing a blown damper......how do I go about it (this is a long one).....????? (1JDMDOMINICA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drewthomas14 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">in for the outcome. i have a problem with my front right. it feels like the upper control arm or something hit's the fender well when i make a hard turn. i dunno if it's because i have 205 vs 195 series tires on my eg.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i dont think the tires would cause that. You might have probably a similar problem as mine. Tires would sound more like rubbing against the fender well. Is your car really low, like slammed to the ground?
i dont think the tires would cause that. You might have probably a similar problem as mine. Tires would sound more like rubbing against the fender well. Is your car really low, like slammed to the ground?
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10-11-2006, 12:50 PM
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Re: (1JDMDOMINICAN)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1JDMDOMINICAN »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
so I was wondering if there was a way for me to determine if the shock is blown by pressing down on the shock piston? What signs do I look for?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Hey man thanks for answering my PM. I PM'd you about something else.
Okay, once you take your shock out and to the point where you can push down on the piston, if the piston doesn't come back up then it's blown. Some shocks it takes really long to come up, and some don't even come up at all. What you're really looking for is "resistance" on the piston of the shock, if there's no resistance going up or down, then yeah, you've got a blown shock.
so I was wondering if there was a way for me to determine if the shock is blown by pressing down on the shock piston? What signs do I look for?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Hey man thanks for answering my PM. I PM'd you about something else.
Okay, once you take your shock out and to the point where you can push down on the piston, if the piston doesn't come back up then it's blown. Some shocks it takes really long to come up, and some don't even come up at all. What you're really looking for is "resistance" on the piston of the shock, if there's no resistance going up or down, then yeah, you've got a blown shock.
10-11-2006, 01:09 PM
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Re: Diagnosing a blown damper......how do I go about it (this is a long one).....????? (1JDMDOMINICA
Maybe you bent the brake dust/dirtshield that is behind the rotor, and it makes contact when everything gets shaken up over a bump. Does it sound like that maybe?
How low is low? Any pictures? People have widely varying opinions on how low is "low enough" or "safe". You might be having your UCA hit the shock tower on impacts. Jack up the corner, take the wheel off, and see if you have indentations where the UCA might make contact with the shock tower.
THe most visible clue of a damaged damper is fluid (oil) all over the leaky area. Wipe things down and drive around, then check for leaks.
How low is low? Any pictures? People have widely varying opinions on how low is "low enough" or "safe". You might be having your UCA hit the shock tower on impacts. Jack up the corner, take the wheel off, and see if you have indentations where the UCA might make contact with the shock tower.
THe most visible clue of a damaged damper is fluid (oil) all over the leaky area. Wipe things down and drive around, then check for leaks.
10-11-2006, 05:23 PM
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Re: Diagnosing a blown damper......how do I go about it (this is a long one).....????? (1JDMDOMINICA
im only lowered on h&r sports and blues. im just weary about the blues because they aren't all that good
10-11-2006, 06:10 PM
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Re: Diagnosing a blown damper......how do I go about it (this is a long one).....????? (1JDMDOMINICA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PIC Performance »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe you bent the brake dust/dirtshield that is behind the rotor, and it makes contact when everything gets shaken up over a bump. Does it sound like that maybe?
How low is low? Any pictures? People have widely varying opinions on how low is "low enough" or "safe". You might be having your UCA hit the shock tower on impacts. Jack up the corner, take the wheel off, and see if you have indentations where the UCA might make contact with the shock tower.
THe most visible clue of a damaged damper is fluid (oil) all over the leaky area. Wipe things down and drive around, then check for leaks.</TD></TR></TABLE>
well, i checked it for leaked fluid and I dont see anything, but i gotta check for the rest...u might be right though. the uca might be hitting the shock tower.
on another note, i called buddy club today and they told me my warranty ran out, but that if i have a blown damper, they'll replace it. it'll cost me $150.00 + shipping to replace it. I gotta send them my old damper and they'll send me a new one...i guess i gotta take my adjustment perches and springs off and send them the cartridge as they said.
How low is low? Any pictures? People have widely varying opinions on how low is "low enough" or "safe". You might be having your UCA hit the shock tower on impacts. Jack up the corner, take the wheel off, and see if you have indentations where the UCA might make contact with the shock tower.
THe most visible clue of a damaged damper is fluid (oil) all over the leaky area. Wipe things down and drive around, then check for leaks.</TD></TR></TABLE>
well, i checked it for leaked fluid and I dont see anything, but i gotta check for the rest...u might be right though. the uca might be hitting the shock tower.
on another note, i called buddy club today and they told me my warranty ran out, but that if i have a blown damper, they'll replace it. it'll cost me $150.00 + shipping to replace it. I gotta send them my old damper and they'll send me a new one...i guess i gotta take my adjustment perches and springs off and send them the cartridge as they said.
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