ninetythreeG

Hey guys, i'm new here, i made the account before when i had a '93 EJ2 but i have sold that since and now invested in a EF3 ..'89 si hatch -- now to my concerns and questions..
I kno the car is old, but it seems very unstable, the undercarriage isnt't very rusted at all, the previous owner had installed a ZC motor in the car and lowered it with aftermarket lowering springs, he claimed to have liked it bouncy, thus having the car at that suspension, i was told by a friend, new struts would fix my stability (wobbling) problem and a strut brace would help the car corner better.
I would like to kno your input, if there is anything else i need to change to fix the suspension. I'm am short on cash right now, and i do have access to a hoist and many tools, so if there is something i can adjust myself without spending money that would be even better. thanks!
-Tj

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

inspect for play in the tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, and wheel bearings, also bushings. all those could contribute to an unstable 'wandering' feeling on the road. as for the bounciness... better quality (even used) springs and decent new shocks are in order. Tokico blue or Koni red are good replacement shocks when paired with a nice spring like the H&R sport.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

don't waste any money on a strut tower brace.

imported_dr.drew1987

ive heard that undercarrage braces work better than top mount ones is that true?

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

sway bars work better than any sort of tower brace or tie bar.
But do as bruno said and check out the rest of the suspension and make sure the tie rods/balljoints are ok.
Sounds to me like you need some decent shocks though, anything over 2" on stock shocks is brutal (i know i used to have coilover sleeves on stock shocks and i was dumped like 2.5" and it was BRUTAL!!!....bounced all over the place).
How can anyone like their ride to be bouncy?!?!?!?!

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

lower tie bars and strut braces work ONLY when you have enough suspension and tire to start twisting the chassis. I don't know that many ppl on this site have that level of susp and tires.

maybe a handful of people including me.

dingus888

struts and I bet your inner control arm bushings are toast causing the wandering feeling...get your front end checked out by mechanic

Oldspower

It may need an alignment, and if you bought cheap struts that'll do it, as well as cheap-o springs. It's really an area where you can't skimp. I almost bought a mk2 Jetta, but it was the bounciest pos ever. Made it feel like it was pulling all over the place. Make sure you deal with the camber issues as it's a daily and not a race car.