Problems w/ suspension

Feeling the bumps in the Forester or wanting more, look here

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sirwilliam
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Problems w/ suspension

Post by sirwilliam »

Well, as you know I got my Swifts installed by VIPGarage. I was having some serious pulling issues which I thought would be rectified by my immediate visit to PTuning (which I have gotten a great alignment done before).

Here is the situation:


When I make a sharp/hard right turn (like coming out of the driveway) and then go to straighten out to keep driving, the car is still pulling hard right...this seems to come and go. It was doing the same when turning full tilt left...and then it seemed to even out eventually? I am not a suspension guru and am perplexed on this one...anyone got some insight on this? I haven't had a chance to test it out again and see that if it is pulling left since getting the alignment...maybe it is only pulling right now.

Again, did not have any problem w/ pulling until after the springs were installed.
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
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sirwilliam
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Post by sirwilliam »

Someone had similar problems (said the stock bushings have memory steer?) but replaced the steering rack bushings w/ the new Whiteline ones and said that fixed the problem. I do happen to have new set of Whiteline bushings left over from the '04...didn't know the stock bushings to have a problem after lowering the car and I am under 10k miles....hmm?
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." -Barney Stinson
"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
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Sabre
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Post by Sabre »

Just to be safe, I'd go through and check everything...

Maybe a tophat that is turned?
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Post by sirwilliam »

Sabre wrote:Just to be safe, I'd go through and check everything...

Maybe a tophat that is turned?
Possible. I will try replacing the steering rack bushing...but if that doesn't do it, then I will have to take it all apart again to fix it...then have to pay for a nice new alignment... :roll:
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

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"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
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Post by Sabre »

Just a waring, the steering rack bushings are a PITA. You have to drop the subframe (from what I understand) to do it. I've actually had the bushings for quite awhile now and haven't done them b/c of the time involved.
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Post by sirwilliam »

Sabre wrote:Just a waring, the steering rack bushings are a PITA. You have to drop the subframe (from what I understand) to do it. I've actually had the bushings for quite awhile now and haven't done them b/c of the time involved.
My friends tell me it is easy on the forester and doesn't take very long...hmm?
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

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"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
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Post by Sabre »

Give it a try and then you can come over and help me out ;)
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Post by sirwilliam »

Sabre wrote:Give it a try and then you can come over and help me out ;)
Okay...don't think it should be much different on the STi, right?

Here is the install page from scoobymods: LINKY
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

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Post by spazegun2213 »

what are your alignment numbers?
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Post by sirwilliam »

spazegun2213 wrote:what are your alignment numbers?
I have the spec sheet at home...I will have to post specifics tonight. Front camber is equal, rear camber is equal, front toe is 0, and rear toe is in .02 degrees which is normal.
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
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Post by spazegun2213 »

sirwilliam wrote:
spazegun2213 wrote:what are your alignment numbers?
I have the spec sheet at home...I will have to post specifics tonight. Front camber is equal, rear camber is equal, front toe is 0, and rear toe is in .02 degrees which is normal.
what is the front camber?? anything around -2?
96 328, heated leather seats... ummm

Gone But not forgotten
'05 Black Sti, the car that started it all
84 944, my first race car.. what a pos
83 944.. 150hp of FURY, Rookie of the year chariot
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Post by sirwilliam »

spazegun2213 wrote:
sirwilliam wrote:
spazegun2213 wrote:what are your alignment numbers?
I have the spec sheet at home...I will have to post specifics tonight. Front camber is equal, rear camber is equal, front toe is 0, and rear toe is in .02 degrees which is normal.
what is the front camber?? anything around -2?
No, it is closer to -1. I will get specifics posted tonight...it is actually closer to stock then my last alignment when I was running the WRX wagon setup.
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." -Barney Stinson
"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
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Post by Sabre »

sirwilliam wrote:
Sabre wrote:Give it a try and then you can come over and help me out ;)
Okay...don't think it should be much different on the STi, right?

Here is the install page from scoobymods: LINKY
Nope, should be around the same. The steering ratio might be a little different, but I believe the rack is basically the same which means it's going to be a PITA.
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Post by sirwilliam »

Hmm...strange. Out of all the forester owners that got swifts installed only one had the same "pulling" occurrence...
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." -Barney Stinson
"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
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DRAMA

Post by sirwilliam »

Well, more drama about my incorrectly installed springs...

Nabisco thread
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." -Barney Stinson
"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
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Post by chicken n waffles »

boy i'd hate to work on your car...

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Post by complacent »

It looks like your vocal use of the available boards paid off. You'll get everything done for free now, correct?
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Post by sirwilliam »

Just want to say thanks to Marti for the nice conversation and the professionalism. This is officially resolved. Taking it to PTuning for alignment and VIPGarage covering the cost of realignment.

THE END.
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP)
2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." -Barney Stinson
"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
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