AreAxeAte

iTrader: (1)

Didn't get any comments in another similar post so I thought I would start my own thread......

So I am having what "sounds" like a rattle or tire bounce while driving over decently large bumps in the road. Whats confusing is that I don't hear the vibration over every bump in the road. I only hear it over a certain type of bump and load in car. Its not even always the biggest bumps that cause the vibrations. Its a certain type that, I am guessing, creates a specific harmonic that causes it. And its only on my right rear wheel as well. It almost as if the wheel is bouncing. Another thing that only happens on that right side is a little wheel hop when taking a right hand corner from stop and accelerating fairly hard.

So naturally I thought perhaps my control arm(s) bushings were worn or my shock was blown. I decided to address the bushings first as I had fairly recently (about 1.5 years ago) upgraded my suspension to the Tein Street-Basis coilovers and I hadn't been doing any real rough driving (such as racing or autoX) to wear them out so quickly. So I replaced the rear bushings with Urethane versions...... This did not solve the problem, but I noticed an improvement in throttle response and handling

Next solution was to check the shock. I pulled it out, did a physical inspection (applied some pressure to the rod and it evenly compressed), visual inspection, and even contacted Tein as to what I should be seeing if the shock was ruined. They came back with a response saying it appeared to them like nothing was wrong but I should swap it with the other shock on the other side of the car to see if the problem migrates....... It did not and the problem persisted on the rear right side .

From here I have a couple more ideas but I was hoping someone may have had a similar experience and can point me in the right direction. Here are my ideas for where the problem is:

1. The other ends of the control arm where they connect to the wheel hub. I though that these were just mechanical pin connections without bushings. Have these been damaged or worn on other people's cars? To check this I put some leverage on the hub at several different angles with a 2x4 but I couldn't get it to budge in any direction it wasn't supposed to.

2. Bearing in the Hub. Have these historically worn out on other peoples cars? Anyone replaced one of these before? Maybe I am better off buying a new hub assembly....

3. Differential Mounts. When I was searching for control arm bushings I also came across urethane differential mounts. This got me to thinking that the stock ones must wear out but I don't really know the criteria of what I would be feeling if they were.. Perhaps the vibration I have been feeling is of the differential moving only under that certain harmonic? Any maybe the wheel hop occurs if the differential is free to move too much?

So many questions. If anybody has has any experience similar to this I would love to hear it. Thanks!

AreAxeAte

iTrader: (1)

Thanks to a suggestion by my friend "Bwilk" I found the solution to my vibration problem! . Turns out it was just a worn out sway bar end link on the right side.

I had removed this sway bar end link may times while I was troubleshooting through other possible solutions but it never seemed damaged to me. I had replaced sway bar end link on my wife's ford focus once and when I pulled them off the ball joints literally pulled out of the sockets when I applied pressure with my hands. I guess this is what I was expected from other worn end links.... but it wasn't the case with mine for the 8.

Anyhow, rattle is gone over every type of bump. Also, I don't have anymore wheel hop. I guess one could assume that if he is experiencing wheel hop accelerating around tight corners he/she probably has a worn sway bar end link.

Integr8

In a new member to the site as of yesterday. I just read your post for the first time. Seeing almost a month from your thread start with no response I thought I'd congratulate you as well as thank you for taking the time to post your resolution. I can only image how many people post a problem and neglect to take the time to post problem fixed. I'm sure at some point if not already people will come across the same situation and make the adjustments necessary in a timely manner rather that forget it. Congrats to you good sir!

AreAxeAte

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Integr8! I know that I have used so much information from others on this site who have taken the time to document and report their experiences. It only seems right to do the same.

Welcome to the site by the way! There is lots of good people and information here.