I've had the front's on for a few weeks, no problems there at all. Today I went to install the rear sleeves and springs.


first problem: The passenger side "top half" of the shock assembly, where the mounting part is, wouldn't come off. So I ended up using one of the ones from the front (they look identical). Is that okay?

second problem: I took the car for a test drive, and every bump I hit felt like I just slammed into a 3 foot deep pot hole. Got back and tightened the middle nut down, but the passenger side nut wouldn't go down as far. It rides a bit better now, but is very very bumpy and still slams on some bumps. Could that nut not being down all the way cause that? I'm taking it to my shop tomorrow and im gonna hit it with the impact and try to get it to go down more.

And why would it be so bumpy? Is it possible that the shock I got has too high of a rebound rate? I'm confused on what to do, never really dealt with coil overs till I installed them on this car. I do have the rears set to be real low, but I'm waiting for them to "settle" to see where the ride height will be.

 

Are you using stock shocks?

If so your cars suspension is underdamped. Likely your shocks will be blown soon if they aren't already. The rates and travel issued by the springs will ruin them in a hurry.

Skunk2 isn't well known for selling comfortable riding suspension. I personally wouldn't touch their shocks/coilovers with a 10 foot pole. They may be getting better but they don't have a good reputation for the last 5-10 years at least.

Plus at the price point there are plenty of proven products and some with lifetime warranties.

 

It's an oem shock

 

Your shocks are blown or the shock rod is hitting the bumpstop. How low is the car? What spring rates have you got?

 

The shocks are brand new, have 20 miles on them as of today. I'm not sure how low it's going to be it hasn't "set" yet, if it has it's not very low at all. I have no idea what the spring rates are, I bought these used

 

Even if they're new OEM shocks I'd imagine you're just hitting your bump stops because the springs are underdamped.

 

"set"? You do know that any spring that actually settles is damaged, right?

What most people think is a suspension settling is actually the bushings that they failed to clock stretching / tearing to their new orientation...

And brand new or not, stock shocks can't handle the rates of those springs. Ride quality will suffer, and continue to get worse over time as the shocks die a painful death.

 

loud clunks maybe be coming from something loose check everything is tight specially the upper mount since if that is not tight when you hit a small bump or big one the spring being not tight will bounce up and hit causing a clunk, harsh ride can be from spring being too compressed not leaving too much room for the shock to absorb, remember coilovers are always going to make the ride more stiff but it should never be to the point that they are harsh like you say, i dont think the shocks are blown like others say unless you bought them used or they are two peice coilovers and you are using your stock

 

Well when I first lowered the car to the ground it was sitting like 3 inches high (tire to fender gap), then I moved the coil sleeve "nut" down and it was the same, today it's a bit lower. That is what I meant.

 

Just swung by RCAutoworks, they're going to look at it for me and see if they notice anything installed wrong. Awesome dudes workin over there, they always hook it up

 

You adjust ride height and failed to clock the bushings, exactly what I wrote earlier.

That isn't settling. That's your bushings being damaged.

You might want to ask the guys at RCAutoworks to clock your bushings while they do the inspection. It shouldn't cost too much, but the large RTA bushing (assuming you have the 93 Civic your user name implies) needs to be removed and pressed back in to clock it which does take some time.

 

Yeah I've never even heard of "clocking" haha, they'll take care of me. I'll be sure to ask them about that though, thanks.