Looking for advice/opinions here.

Had my Eibach's installed yesterday. Installation went very well (2.5 hrs for all). The car dropped 1 inch in the front and 1 1/8 inches in the rear. I've drove the car approx 60 miles yesterday and have to admit that there doesn't seem to be much noticable difference in the ride quality....maybe just a tad harsher. Haven't had an alignment yet but it doesn't seem to be any different from before. I'll wait a week or so and take it in.

My question/potential problem - I've noticed that when I go over a sudden bump in the road....you know that kind that kinda makes the rear of the car 'jump' a bit, I get a pretty loud noise coming from what sounds like the rear. Now, I can't remember but I seem to think that this did happen before (although not as often) before the Eibach's but I can't be certain. Doesn't happen under 'normal' driving and doesn't happen when I push down on the car....just those sudden harsh/quick bumps.....any idea's if this is a problem or normal?

Thanks

 

is it a poping sound? I have noticed that aftermarket springs (RB, MS and Tien) all seem to be kinda loose in the rear as there isn't not as much spring compression due to the drop in height that can cause the spring to move around in the bottom perch ever so slightly. I didn't even need to use the spring compressors to get the new springs installed in the rear of the car.

I fixed part of the problem for my MS springs with some rubber spring covers for the bottom of the rear springs. I got them from Mazda as they were part of a TSB for the Mazda6. If you go over to www.mazda6tech.com, look for the TSB section, and look for the TSB on poping noise from front suspension. it will give you a part number and you can get them from the dealer for about $3.

hope that helps.

 

Brillo - Thanks for the information. Hmmmm....I'll look into that. I don't really think its a loose spring kinda thing (I watched and helped a bit with the installation and those springs don;t seem very loose!) but that's certainly an idea.
The more I think about this, maybe this is 'normal' cuz I just drove my daughters Neon (yea, I know) which is entirely stock this afternoon, and over the same 'bumps' hers does what seems like is the same noise......also from the rear. Its kinda like a pop and jarring. It really sounds like the suspension isn't keeping up with the 'bump' but 'hitting' it square, and not reacting in time before its over the bump? I know this sounds really weird.....just wondering if anyone else is experiencing anything like this.......

 

Could be stab link(s)getting a bit loose.

 

Are you sure the shocks are not topping out? sounds like, atleast with the Neon, that might be what is happening... especially if you have lowered the car dramaticly...

Note: not my area of expertise

 

It's the dampening of the shocks. The rear shocks need more rebound strength.

Known problem.

 

Razz - Thanks.....upon reviewing the oem spring rates and doing a bit more research, I kinda was thinking along those lines. I guess I'll have to live with it for a bit as right now I can't 'afford' to buy new shocks and then pay another install charge! (the front seems fine.....this may seem like a bad question, but, could I get away with just replacing the rear shocks?)

 

Shocks are just like tires. Better to do all at one time then just one so the wear rate will stay the same.

 

I recently got tein s techs installed and they seem great. The car is definitely stiffer than before and feels awesome. But its only stiffer by 30% or so, so i think the stock shocks can handle it fine. Although, aftermarket shocks would be great when the money comes around.

 

Fixing the rear shocks will cause you to under steer more.

 

Its interesting though that it seems like no one else is experiencing this 'problem'. I've spoken with a couple of others that just replaced the springs (also with Eibach) and they report no problems/issues..........I'm concerned and confused.
Drove the car again last night and the problem is getting to me. It's fine with dips in the road and some 'bumps' but when going anything over about a what I would consider a medium type of bump, the bang/clunk (hard to describe) sound is there and the rear kinda acts like its jumping a bit. Help?

 

Sorry to dig up this old thread, but I noticed the same problems on my Tanabe's. Is there no way to fix it?

 

I have not solved this problem....and...it is extremely frustrating as I have ridden in another 8 in the area with eibachs and there is no noise at all.

I have completely removed the shock/spring assembly, along with the sway and control arm - re-installed and still have the noise. Everything 'appears' normal.

I then decided to put the OEM springs back on the rear - the noise is gone except over pretty severe bumps.

The only thing I did notice (not sure if this is really a problem or not) is when the car is sitting on the ground and I loosen the control arm alignment nut, on the right side - the car/suspension really settles (alignment moves 4-5 marks) and it is pretty hard to move it back to the 'normal' alignment. The left side doesn't move....wonder if you're having the same type of symptoms?