Bumble Bee Racecar

[Dexman1349]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

Alignment?

At the shop now. I gave them the specs you provided and they said no problem. They will also check to make sure everything is installed correctly, time the bushings, and do a ride height check. I will know how it goes this afternoon.

[Dexman1349]

Alignment done. Wasn't able to get the specs that were recommended simply because the tech said the stock car isn't adjustable enough. Oh well. Car feels great, love how it handles, and if the tires wear unevenly then the shop said they would re-do the alignment at no charge.

Only issue now is there are a handful of bumps/clunk noises from the suspension. They are really noticeable when I'm going slower speeds (under 30mph) on rougher roads. Not sure if it's a product of the car being 4 years old with 50k+ miles, something to do with the new parts (loose, installed incorrectly, just noisier, etc), or if it's just something bumping around in the trunk.

The shop looked at all of the new parts, timed the bushings, and checked the bolts, so it's unlikely something is loose. I'm thinking it's just a combo of stiffer parts on an older car. Further investigation is necessary... to be continued.

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by Dexman1349

Alignment done. Wasn't able to get the specs that were recommended simply because the tech said the stock car isn't adjustable enough. Oh well. Car feels great, love how it handles, and if the tires wear unevenly then the shop said they would re-do the alignment at no charge.

Only issue now is there are a handful of bumps/clunk noises from the suspension. They are really noticeable when I'm going slower speeds (under 30mph) on rougher roads. Not sure if it's a product of the car being 4 years old with 50k+ miles, something to do with the new parts (loose, installed incorrectly, just noisier, etc), or if it's just something bumping around in the trunk.

The shop looked at all of the new parts, timed the bushings, and checked the bolts, so it's unlikely something is loose. I'm thinking it's just a combo of stiffer parts on an older car. Further investigation is necessary... to be continued.

The sources of noise after lowering are usually found in endlinks and exhaust.

The easiest way to eliminate endlinks as the source is to disconnect one and secure it so it won't foul on a test drive. Disconnecting one endlink disables the bar and allows you to trouble shoot quickly.

[Dexman1349]

I realigned the exhaust to make sure it wasn't touching anything (particularly the tunnel brace) when I put it back on. I will check out the end links. Thanks Pete!

[JusticePete]

PM sent on the alignment.

[caverman]

Originally Posted by Dexman1349

Alignment done. Wasn't able to get the specs that were recommended simply because the tech said the stock car isn't adjustable enough.

Unfortunately what you need is a set of these. I had the same issue and my alignment guy was skeptical of them until he put them on. He became an instant believer.

For now I don't know what you are going to do unless Pete knows of a secret stash somewhere.

[caverman]

Looks like you're getting almost at my suspension setup. I can only imagine the feel if I had done them all at once. Mine has been a slow process with the cradle bushings and coilovers making the most significant changes for me.

Time for you to save up for some coilovers and do the radius rod bushings next.

[Dexman1349]

Coilovers are on the to-do list. I'm thinking the Ride-techs from what I've seen so far.

I have radius rod inserts right now, not sure if/when I'll go with full bushings, but I know it won't be for a while.

Either way, I'll be taking a hiatus for a while on the performance mods as I need to let my budget catch back up so I can get a car more suited for daily driving. In the interim, I may go with some cosmetic (spoiler, wheels, hex vents, ZL1 rockers) and some audio upgrades (speakers & amp) but even those may be a little while out. Time to enjoy my new upgrades for a bit!

[Dexman1349]

Originally Posted by Dexman1349

Only issue now is there are a handful of bumps/clunk noises from the suspension. They are really noticeable when I'm going slower speeds (under 30mph) on rougher roads. Not sure if it's a product of the car being 4 years old with 50k+ miles, something to do with the new parts (loose, installed incorrectly, just noisier, etc), or if it's just something bumping around in the trunk.

The shop looked at all of the new parts, timed the bushings, and checked the bolts, so it's unlikely something is loose. I'm thinking it's just a combo of stiffer parts on an older car. Further investigation is necessary... to be continued.

Suspension is getting really annoying with the noises. The noises make me nervous to even attempt to see what the car is capable of. Last thing I need is to have a bolt fall out while cornering.

I'm fairly certain it's not the exhaust. It has plenty of clearance and the noises aren't coming from where it would normally hit (went through that back when I did the exhaust install). From how and when the noises emerge, it makes me think it's the springs. I am seriously tempted to take the springs out and try re-installing them.

[c5Legend]

Bee looks great man, nice car!

[Dexman1349]

Originally Posted by Dexman1349

Suspension is getting really annoying with the noises. The noises make me nervous to even attempt to see what the car is capable of. Last thing I need is to have a bolt fall out while cornering.

I'm fairly certain it's not the exhaust. It has plenty of clearance and the noises aren't coming from where it would normally hit (went through that back when I did the exhaust install). From how and when the noises emerge, it makes me think it's the springs. I am seriously tempted to take the springs out and try re-installing them.

Update: The ferrule of the delsphere end of the new trailing arm on the passenger side is bigger than the bolt and moves up to 1/8" when the suspension "drops" suddenly over bumps. Car is parked while we work on a solution.

[caverman]

Originally Posted by Dexman1349

Coilovers are on the to-do list. I'm thinking the Ride-techs from what I've seen so far.

Depending on how serious you are going to be with the coilovers you might be able to get by with some BC coilovers. Ride-tech would definitely be a good one if it fits in your budget. There is a big difference in price though.

I have radius rod inserts right now, not sure if/when I'll go with full bushings, but I know it won't be for a while.

I wouldn't bother unless you get a smoking deal or have some reason to have your radius rod off the car. I had the Pedders radius rod inserts and was talked into some Whiteline full bushings. I never really felt a difference. For the money I should've stayed with the Pedders inserts.

Either way, I'll be taking a hiatus for a while on the performance mods as I need to let my budget catch back up so I can get a car more suited for daily driving. In the interim, I may go with some cosmetic (spoiler, wheels, hex vents, ZL1 rockers) and some audio upgrades (speakers & amp) but even those may be a little while out. Time to enjoy my new upgrades for a bit!

Originally Posted by Dexman1349

Update: The ferrule of the delsphere end of the new trailing arm on the passenger side is bigger than the bolt and moves up to 1/8" when the suspension "drops" suddenly over bumps. Car is parked while we work on a solution.

Hmm...good find. I have some slight noise every once in a while but heinz joints (basically what the delsphere is) are known to make a little noise. I think logically they are the best design though.

Hopefully they'll get you a new one and that will fix your issues.

[Dexman1349]

Originally Posted by Dexman1349

Update: The ferrule of the delsphere end of the new trailing arm on the passenger side is bigger than the bolt and moves up to 1/8" when the suspension "drops" suddenly over bumps. Car is parked while we work on a solution.

Figured out why the ferrule was bigger than the bolt. Turns out it was the bolt. I thought 3 of the bolts were the same, but one was ever-so slightly different than the other two. Only way to tell them apart was to either stand them up against each other and look close, or by the different stamp on the head. Once I got them swapped out they worked fine. Car feels (and sounds) 100x better now.

[JusticePete]

Take a bolt out, put it back in the hole it came out of with a few turns on the nut. This helps is a great assist when you put her back together.