susp. problem

Miataracer · #1 10-26-2003, 11:13 AM

hey guys... i have had an interesting knocking stressing kind of sound coming from my passenger front the past few days whenever I hit a bump or accelerate hard etc. just now I got down and looked around in the wheel well to see if I could notice any problems. eveything looked fine until I looked at the sway bar and found it BROKEN. this doesnt sound like the type of thing that happens too often but I don't know

there was no hard jolt that I can think of to cause soemthing like this. the sway bar is just the stock one. any thughts?

jcrx · #2 10-26-2003, 12:13 PM

My thought is be happy the sway bar gave out instead of the rack or arms it was attached to.

BullShifter · #3 10-26-2003, 12:18 PM

You broke the sway bar or sway bar endlinks? End links breaking are common, but the sway bar

, nice lol. You don't need the front sway, only a large rear - car will oversteer!

Miataracer · #4 10-26-2003, 01:10 PM

front sway bar... link is still attached to lower arm.

BullShifter · #5 10-26-2003, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miataracer

front sway bar... link is still attached to lower arm.

NICE

I have a Suspension Tech. front sway(7/8") for a '91 laying around, but I don't think it will fit properly. Where did it break(left,right,center)? Time for some nice Eibach or Neuspeed sways!

Miataracer · #6 10-26-2003, 02:02 PM

right near the tip... like maybe an inch from the bolt hole where the end link is... yes i want to upgrade the suspension but I am very tight on money right now.

maybe it is time to look into a good sway bar anyway and try to borrow a little money off of my parents (I hate doing that!) unfortunately the car is very, VERY twitchy now at highway speed

Miataracer · #7 10-26-2003, 02:17 PM

hmmm... these might make a relatively nice set up...

Shocks/Springs

Sways

of course... all of that would mean I would have to get back to working so I can make some $$$ but I bet it would be worth while

BullShifter · #8 10-26-2003, 04:23 PM

Nice choices, I think the rear should be 26mm & front 17mm, but yea.

Miataracer · #9 10-26-2003, 04:55 PM

are you sure? I have never seen a bigger bar in the back than in the front. what would that do with the handling?

Miataracer · #10 10-26-2003, 04:58 PM

also when I was looking around under there I noticed how absolutely terrible my susp. bushings look... I am sure they have never been replaced and as far as Miatas go they say the bushings are shot after about 60k. I imagine this applies at least somewhat to most cars and mine has 167k

anyone know where I could find some aftermarket bushing kits?

Miataracer · #11 10-26-2003, 05:02 PM

also... do any of the Civics have different steering ratios? i really wish i had a more resposive steering ratio

BullShifter · #12 10-26-2003, 10:06 PM

FWD cars have under steer, a larger rear sway bar would create more over steer. Many autox/road racer remove the front sway completely on FWD cars. I use a stock front bar with poly bushings & upgraded end links with a ST 7/8" rear 6-way adjustable bar - there is a very noticeable difference between the rear sway settings. With the ST front bar on the car I had way too much under steer for my liking. Don't forget sways are nothing without good shocks/springs.

I am not aware of any suspension bushings besides OEM & poly. Poly bushings are loud & harsh for daily driving but will greatly improve handling. The colder the weather, the harder they get(like cement) Energy Suspension makes a nice kit: control arm bushings, shock bushings, end links, steering rack bushings, shifter stabilizer bushings, ball joint/tie rod boots - its about a 10hr job with the right tools(lift, air tools, press, air chisel/hammer, etc.) Its not a fun job when the bushings are seized. Make sure to lube the hell out of the bushings before install & keep them clean. Summit Racing www.summitsportcompact.com

I'm not sure of the steering ratios, but once you lower it, install the sways, & bracing(lower tie - a must with large rear sway, f/r upper tie bars you will have a whole new outlook on your little civic.

SilverY2KCivic · #13 10-27-2003, 07:53 PM

Wow, I've never heard of that happening. Either that particular bar was flawed, or Honda uses cheaper than previously thought materials for their bars. They are solid, and pretty heavy. Did you hear when it broke, because esp. with something like that, you should have heard a pop or springy "boing" kind of sound when it happened. I'd say either get another OEM front from www.hondaautomotiveparts.com or go with that Eibach bar kit. You know me though, a front bar is just unnecessery excess weight.

Miataracer · #14 10-27-2003, 08:57 PM

hmm... the more you guys talk the more tempted I am to just take the bar off all the way. how much difference in handling will i notice with a total lack of front sway bar?

BullShifter · #15 10-27-2003, 11:25 PM

Well if its broken, thats the same effect no front sway would have, except couple 10lbs lighter in the front. Do you currently have a rear sway? Either way, you wont notice as much with stock ride height, struts, springs.

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