MR2_260z
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Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
Hey guys, I'm just wondering if there's someone around Melbourne who has/ knows about the MR2's handling characteristics? I have a bit of a knocking sound from the front of the car when I go over rough patches which I suspect to be a loose swaybar. I also feel that my suspension is a bit rough for stock but haven't anything to compare it to...
So yeah, if anyone is in Victoria that's willing to let me take them for a drive in my car I'd be super appreciative (and can bring beer in payment :D).
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midmadness
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/17 17:13:16
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It may be worth having a look at the nuts on the front of the tie rods running forward from the suspension arms where they mount onto the body.
I had a similar knocking sound and it turned out that one tie rod was floating backwards and forwards by about 1 cm because the nut on the front had backed off.
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Reddtarga
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/17 18:38:34
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Suspension knocking from the front could be one of several things.
The best way to find it would be to jack the car to get the front wheels free That would allow you to physically check stuff like ball joints, outer and inner tie rod ends, sway bar links, and wheel bearings.
And check the caster rods as already mentioned.
While you're at it also remove the sway bar mounting brackets and check for cracks underneath.
Can't think of anything else at the moment lol.
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MR2_260z
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/17 19:54:19
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Yeah I did a brief inspection the other day (I didn't take the underbody lining off) but i couldn't see or feel anything that should be causing it... Where is the best place to put jackstands on the MR2, there's no obvious spots...
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alexv
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/17 21:51:32
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MR2_260z
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/17 23:09:05
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Yeah I've seen this... I guess I dont have the right kind of stands to support there (axel stands??) and obviously one stand in the middle would NOT be safe by any means...
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Reddtarga
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/18 08:55:27
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A visit to somewhere with a car hoist would be best.
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MR2_260z
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/18 09:53:57
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Mmmmm why did toyota make it so hard to get these cars off the ground!? I have a decent amount of experience under a car. My 260Z is 100% stripped by my hands, but was a ton easier to get under and had multiple safe spots to put an axel stand. I guess The best thing would be a plank of wood from each of the mounting points with the axle stands under each one so the car wont be damaged, and the slight curve of the surface of the axle stand can bite into the wood. I'm always overly cautious in these situations so I thought it best to see what you guys do.
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MR2_260z
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/18 10:32:41
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Also... I feel as though When go over harsh bumps it really jarrs the chassis and makes the ride feel quite harsh. Now i dont know if this is due to;
Generally old suspension
dead shock top mounts
upgraded springs
etc.
It's hard to diagnose because I have never been in a car thats as sports orientd as the MR2 (or any MR2 besides my own for that matter).
I can live with the ride how it is, but I would like to lower the car about an inch all around mainly for cosmetic reasons, but I don't want to compromise the ride quality. The car feels skittish over bumps as is...
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MR2_260z
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/28 17:36:32
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Ok, the knocking/ rattling over bumps has been self diagnosed!
I completely removed the front sway bar, and now there is no noise whatsoever. It also feels a tonne softer to drive in a straight line (which seems odd to me...).
Going around corners is definitely a bit more "Bargey" and I do miss that amazing instant steer in feeling. So now the question, are the culprits the sway bar bushes, or the tie rod ends (is that the right name for them?)?
I now have a feeling that the sensation of "harsh suspension" could be very tired suspension that actually isn't doing its job and is dumping over the harsher/ bigger bumps. So yeah, very confused right now, and I wish I had someone else's car to compare it to...
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MR2_260z
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/28 17:38:09
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Oh yeah, the swaybar bushings feel quite hard (a couple of steps away from something like derelin), but don't look worn out. Plus, I have noticed that one of the tie rod ends is a bit stiff feeling.
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dasic1
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/28 21:20:48
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They are sway bar end links.
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Reddtarga
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/29 10:18:06
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☄ Helpfulby MR2_260z 2014/08/29 11:12:33
"I completely removed the front sway bar, and now there is no noise whatsoever. It also feels a tonne softer to drive in a straight line (which seems odd to me...)."
Softer ride and slow turn in with no front bar is not surprising lol.
If the noise is gone, it would seem the knock must be associated with the front sway bar.
Check for any slack in the end link joints. If they are not worn they should be stiff to move.
Also check underneath the sway bar brackets for any chassis cracks.
You can buy new sway bar bushes but their sizes vary on different models. What year model is your car?
Anyway you will need to measure the bar diameter and the mounting bracket dimensions because a good fit is important.
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Reddtarga
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/29 12:24:08
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MR2_260z
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Re: Could someone diagnose my suspension woes?
2014/08/29 15:39:27
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Thanks for that guys.
Yeah, I'm kind of hesitant to go ahead and bite the bullet on these because I am interested in upgrading the suspension and I am not sure if i will even end up running the suspension in the end, or if i will get shorter sway bar ends with the new shocks...
I really like the idea of the BC coilovers and they are just on the cusp of my budget, but I am quite worried at 5&8kgs they're considerably heavier springs than any of the other combinations out there that people use. I am basically after a bit of lowering for aesthetics (I beleive that 1" is fairly standard), a slightly stiffer ride, of course any improvement in handling would be welcomed, but I am really after the lowering and a decent ride for my daily driver.
What would you guys suggest? I'm really not looking to pay any more than the BC's cost ($1300) and even that is a bit rich for my taste.
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