creek sound when i hit a bump, time for new shocks? Options

[lagos]

i have noticed that my car seems to be sitting lower in the front lately and i can hear a loud creaking sound evey time i hit a bump or just push down on the front left side of the car. does this sound like my shocks are dead?

ive been looking at what shocks are out there and the two choices seem to be KYB or Koni. if i get the koni, can i just replace the front two, or is it the type of thing where your really should do all 4 at the same time?

im guessing that if i go with kyb, i can just replace the front two because they are oem replacements?

[macavely]

yea sounds like ur shocks are blown... do a bounce test if ur sitting on just springs change the inserts Asap .... and yes with the Koni u can do just the front .... no problem their... and put some KYBs in the back .... or just either all around ... u have a few other options .. Struts also .. but KYB might be the least expensive option ... and while ur down there check other suspension parts for wear and tear ..

[lagos]

i think the rears seem fine.. but if i push down on the front, there is not a lot of up and down movement and the left side makes a noise.

i know the koni are said to be great for handling, but do you think they would last longer then the kyb, or about the same?

[macavely]

i hope so .. seeing as what they are used for.... but it mostlly depends on ur driving style and they conditon of the roads u are doing most of ur drivin on.... and how u brake....but the koni s in the front will help u put more of the 3s's power to the ground more so then the KYB's .... thats something else u should think about ..

[lagos]

good point

[macavely]

there is always alot to think about when doing ur suspension .... most people don't when doing engine swaps or doing TC/SC kits.....

[rocky2006]

recently there were a few topics about this. there were quite a few people who posted (including myself) that have this problem - in the front only. either that is a weak link in the suspension on all our cars or there is actually nothing seriously wrong. just thought id let you know there were many others who had this problem in the front only when going over bumps to reconsider spending money on suspension.

[vangSTa_celica]

Just take out the 3S, give it to me, I'll give you my 7A, and your problems will be solved. No more creeking sound

[Consynx]

craziness, i was hoping it was a creak when the suspension was expanded(like a mini jump for the car(that's what i got)).
GL, but uhhh...iunno if ^ works

[jgreening]

yes with the Koni u can do just the front

There is no way I would do this.

do you think they would last longer then the kyb

They will DEFINITELY last longer. If you use OEM or OEM replacement shocks with lowered springs, the life will be dramatically reduced.

the koni s in the front will help u put more of the 3s's power to the ground more so then the KYB's

Not true. A stiffer suspension in the BACK will help wheel spin on a FF car. The front suspension will have little affect.

[lagos]

i gave my vin to toyota and the verified that i do have the sports suspention

so, do i really have to go out and find a pair of new or used struts, or would a good shop be able to cut my existing ones and make this work?
i asked tirerack about this before placing my order, and the sales guy said that it was totally normal to have to cut the shock when doing inserts.... so im getting mixed opinions on this.

i ended up going with kyb after all because of the extra cost and the fact that i would want koni all around, not just the front.

i got to say that Tirerack is an amazing place to order from. i placed my order around 3pm and got the shocks within 24hrs at my door, regular ground shipping!

[macavely]

yes with the Koni u can do just the front

There is no way I would do this.
.

the koni s in the front will help u put more of the 3s's power to the ground more so then the KYB's

Not true. A stiffer suspension in the BACK will help wheel spin on a FF car. The front suspension will have little affect.
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1. why wouldn't u do this? whats wrong with doing that ?

2. How wouldn't having adjustable springs on the fron off a FF not be affective to helping put the power in the ground ? .... please don't tell me everthing i have been tought has been wrong ?

[jgreening]

1. why wouldn't u do this? whats wrong with doing that ?

You will have uneven suspension reaction back to front. For bumps, I agree - it wouldn't matter. However, there will be perfomance issues while cornering. I think it would be even worse to have the rears be the koni's and the fronts be the KYB's.

2. How wouldn't having adjustable springs on the fron off a FF not be affective to helping put the power in the ground ? .... please don't tell me everthing i have been tought has been wrong ?

The better question is why do you think it would? How could having shocks with higher valving in the front help traction? If you have a stiffer rear suspension, the rear end of the car is held up more under torque forcing the weight of the car down on the front end. That is why a stiffer suspension in the back can help with traction.

[macavely]

1. why wouldn't u do this? whats wrong with doing that ?

You will have uneven suspension reaction back to front. For bumps, I agree - it wouldn't matter. However, there will be perfomance issues while cornering. I think it would be even worse to have the rears be the koni's and the fronts be the KYB's.

2. How wouldn't having adjustable springs on the fron off a FF not be affective to helping put the power in the ground ? .... please don't tell me everthing i have been tought has been wrong ?

The better question is why do you think it would? How could having shocks with higher valving in the front help traction? If you have a stiffer rear suspension, the rear end of the car is held up more under torque forcing the weight of the car down on the front end. That is why a stiffer suspension in the back can help with traction.
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2. Still doesn't explan how having adjustable in the front on FF will not help put the power to the ground ?? see where i'm come from with his.... and i really doubt lagos is in the 400whp range right now.. maybe some time in the futur ..


1. there wouldn't be any cornering issuse... unless something is done complete wrong...

[jgreening]

2. How wouldn't having adjustable springs on the fron off a FF not be affective to helping put the power in the ground ? .... please don't tell me everthing i have been tought has been wrong ?

The better question is why do you think it would?  How could having shocks with higher valving in the front help traction?  If you have a stiffer rear suspension, the rear end of the car is held up more under torque forcing the weight of the car down on the front end.  That is why a stiffer suspension in the back can help with traction.



2. Still doesn't explan how having adjustable in the front on FF will not help put the power to the ground ?? see where i'm come from with [t]his....

No I dont. I explained why having stiffer rear suspension would help traction in a FF applicatoin. You have not explained why a stiffer front suspension would. It just doesn't sound logical to me. But I would be interested in hearing your argument or seeing some confirming documentation.

This post has been edited by jgreening: Feb 18, 2005 - 5:00 PM

[jgreening]

I stand corrected on the front to back issue. I did some research on this and confirmed that you can have different shocks on front and back. I was thinking of side to side when I posted.

[macavely]

I stand corrected on the front to back issue.  I did some research on this and confirmed that you can have different shocks on front and back.  I was thinking of side to side when I posted.
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i thought thats what u ment (side to side) ... sorry if i came off as an A-hole .. i just wanted a explanination incause i was wrong..... but i like that u did resarch and found out something new i wish more people on this site would do that..

[jgreening]

I stand corrected on the front to back issue.  I did some research on this and confirmed that you can have different shocks on front and back.  I was thinking of side to side when I posted.
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i thought thats what u ment (side to side) ... sorry if i came off as an A-hole .. i just wanted a explanination incause i was wrong..... but i like that u did resarch and found out something new i wish more people on this site would do that..
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For what its worth, I didn't think you were out of line at all. This forum is for sharing information and exchanging ideas and opinions.

[94GT]

I get the same creaking, but I already replaced my struts. My brother in law says it's the bushings. I lubed them with some silicone spray, and it quited them, but only for a couple of days until they dried out again. Did you have any luck replacing your suspension? I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle the bushings yet...

[Consynx]

what about a creak when the suspension is stretches(coming off ground more than equilibrium position.