Hey, I recently got a 00 Civic hatch, suspension is as follows: Tokiko blue's shocks ( i know, i know), Ground Control coilovers with GC Civic Si rates, Si Front and rear swaybars, and 195 S-03 tires. When pushing it at a fairly swift rate, (about 70 mph through a decent sweeper), and i hit a decent sized bump (recessed manhole), the rear end steps out a little bit. feels almost like the car hops up, oversteers, and sticks right back in line, no tire squeal at all. I'm trying to figure out what this could be, any ideas?

 

John,
It sounds like it's really just the springs are stiff enough that with these big bumps that you find on public roads, the car is basically skipping off the top of them. This is causing your rearend to step out a little until it regains grip. Potentially catastrophic if the speeds/cornering forces are high enough. Any idea how high the "Civic Si" rates are on the off the shelf Ground Control kits? Sounds like perhaps a little more compliance could be tuned into the system.

 

I'm not sure it's the springs being too stiff, the stock rates are pretty soft. I would guess around 350 or 300. maybe a blown shock causing them to ride on the bumpstops? i may pick up some Koni Yellows and see how that goes.

 

OH yeah...that could definitely be the problem. How low is the car? You COULD be bottoming the shock out which would absolutely cause that problem. I had that problem with my car in the front, and now I've got it jacked up as high as I could get it so that I wouldn't have a problem in autocrosses.

 

ttt

 

Gets my vote as the place to start looking. Wrap a piece of solder around the strut shaft and twist the ends closed. Go drive around and then look to see the position and condition of the solder indicator. If it is just moved, it will tell you how much travel you are using. If it is squashed or gone, then...

Kirk

 

the "out of the box" GC rates for the Si are 200F/180R

is your car slammed? are you riding on the bumpstops ?

maybe you have no suspension travel left ?