Ground Control Problem - Page 3

justin311 · #31 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 11:10 AM

PISNUOFF and TBJS are being very helpful. We should figure it out. I'm going to take some pictures this week and post, so we should find something. Hopefully.

SoJersey05V · #32 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 12:18 PM

they helped me through my whole deal man!!!!

ahahnu · #33 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkman

Just to be clear on what fixed it - it is one of those $89 bearing/rubber collar things for which you provided a link in the other thread, right? If not re-explain it for me. Thanks.

Just for the lay man (myself), what you added is between the spring and the gold threaded (adjuster?) It looks like two sliver washers and a thick rubber o ring.....

darkman · #34 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahahnu

Just for the lay man (myself), what you added is between the spring and the gold threaded (adjuster?) It looks like two sliver washers and a thick rubber o ring.....

I think it involves this:

http://www.breezeautomotive.com/deta...=728&cat_id=34

ahahnu · #35 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 01:13 PM

Wow, those things look serious. As if this wasn't costing enought $$, now I think I'm going to have to spend $180+ more. From the description and look of it, this sound like it acts like a rubber washer inbetween the spring and seat and keeps the threads clean for easy adjustments. Correct me if I'm worng but it also seems like it would keep the spring in place instead of allowing it to become unseated.

ahahnu · #36 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 01:13 PM

I don't want to get the kit, pay to have it put on, then pay again to fix the problem. I want to take as many precautions as possible.

SoJersey05V · #37 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 01:21 PM

to set it straight... i dont have that one i have just the sealed unit part, which is to help noise and help easier adjusting... you still have to jack the car up to get the weight off of it because the car is so heavy...

darkman · #38 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahahnu

I don't want to get the kit, pay to have it put on, then pay again to fix the problem. I want to take as many precautions as possible.

I agree. I am looking at several suspension options, some of which involve Ground Control and some that do not (e.g. KW coilovers). Whatever I do, I want to do it only once as opposed to chasing squeaks, clunks, and other noises for a month afterward. If that involves spending a little more some money I will. I enjoy DIY mechanical work but I hate troubelshooting.

One of the problems with these Ground Control issues has been that the same fix does not seem to always work for everyone.

deedubb · #39 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PISNUOFF

You really should have done a search for this. There are at least a dozen threads about this same issue and it touches a nerve with several members. You should try spraying some WD-40 on different parts of the front suspension to see where it is making the noise. What I'm saying is spray one part then drive it to see if it still makes the noise. This will narrow down what you would need to do to permanently fix the noises.

I have your old GC kit. I bought it from Terry a while back an it's been in the box sitting in the garage awaiting install. Thanks for the tips, i'll be sure to try this out when I install my kit.

ahahnu · #40 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 04:44 PM

The KWs are atleast $500 more then the Qa1/GC kit, plus all the extra hardware. Where else can you get full adjustability? I want my car to be a little lower, with out really sacrificing ride quality. That's where the adjustability comes in for me. I can play around with it and get it to where I like it. The FG2s aren't adjustable, and $400 more a set for the shocks. All the other adjustable springs seem to be way above the GC price. I could be wrong. My original shocks are way long in the teeth at 93, almost 94,000. Anything will be an improvement, but if I'm gonna do it, might as well do it right.

I jumped on a Hoptchkis group buy years ago. I have been throught three sets of brackets, and just broke the grease injector thingy on another set. It always bangs and I can't stand it.

darkman · #41 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahahnu

The KWs are atleast $500 more then the Qa1/GC kit, plus all the extra hardware. Where else can you get full adjustability? I want my car to be a little lower, with out really sacrificing ride quality. That's where the adjustability comes in for me. I can play around with it and get it to where I like it. The FG2s aren't adjustable, and $400 more a set for the shocks. All the other adjustable springs seem to be way above the GC price. I could be wrong. My original shocks are way long in the teeth at 93, almost 94,000. Anything will be an improvement, but if I'm gonna do it, might as well do it right.

I jumped on a Hoptchkis group buy years ago. I have been throught three sets of brackets, and just broke the grease injector thingy on another set. It always bangs and I can't stand it.

I agree with your math - the KWs are clearly more expensive and the there is a compelling argument when it comes to overall flexibility with Ground Control. The appeal of the KW option lies largely with the absence of issues, but even that may be because so few (on this forum anyway) have them.

Another factor has creep into my thinking. I have driving around for month now with a failed front FG2. All the fluid has leaked from it. I have discovered that there is a lot rattling asscociated with the failed shock and clearly speed bumps feel different. However, I also dicovered that the car's crisp turn in and its ability to corner seems unaffected by the bad FG2. It makes me wonder if the Hotchkis swaybars and stock springs aren't more important than shocks when it comes to cornering.

ahahnu · #42 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkman

I agree with your math - the KWs are clearly more expensive and the there is a compelling argument when it comes to overall flexibility with Ground Control. The appeal of the KW option lies largely with the absence of issues, but even that may be because so few (on this forum anyway) have them.

Another factor has creep into my thinking. I have driving around for month now with a failed front FG2. All the fluid has leaked from it. I have discovered that there is a lot rattling asscociated with the failed shock and clearly speed bumps feel different. However, I also dicovered that the car's crisp turn in and its ability to corner seems unaffected by the bad FG2. It makes me wonder if the Hotchkis swaybars and stock springs aren't more important than shocks when it comes to cornering.

I searched KW in the forum and not much popped up.I was waiting for a thread with it in the title for a discussion, but no.

In reading the faq, i think it was dreamin that was the guinea pig for GC. They were mentioning the ideal spring rate for stock shocks. Doing the math again (I'm not Will Hunting), and the Qa1s are just over $100 themselves over the stock shocks, and $400 less then the FG2s. I like the fact the Qa1s can be rebuilt, although I'd be out for the count if that happened as the V is my only set of wheels.

I'm just trying to think outloud if anyone has some ideas or input....

darkman · #43 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahahnu

I searched KW in the forum and not much popped up.I was waiting for a thread with it in the title for a discussion, but no.

In reading the faq, i think it was dreamin that was the guinea pig for GC. They were mentioning the ideal spring rate for stock shocks. Doing the math again (I'm not Will Hunting), and the Qa1s are just over $100 themselves over the stock shocks, and $400 less then the FG2s. I like the fact the Qa1s can be rebuilt, although I'd be out for the count if that happened as the V is my only set of wheels.

I'm just trying to think outloud if anyone has some ideas or input....

Well on the rebuilding issue I think:
1. On the street front shocks almost always fail first and rear shocks rarely fail.
2. If you were installing your own shocks you might be tempted to just keep 1 each of your OEM shocks as spares to be installed while a QA1 was being rebuilt.
3. If you are having your shocks professionally installed you might be better off buying a new QA1 the first time one failed. You would have the new one installed and send the failed unit in to be rebuilt. When the rebuilt unit returned you would have it installed on the other side and send that unit in to be rebuilt to keep both shocks on that end of the car "fresh." When the second rebuilt shock comes back it becomes your spare. I think you would need to do this for the front, but time would tell if you needed a rear spare also.

isakhanyan · #44 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justin311

No prob. My problem is more in the rear. I have no noises coming from the front. I do believe that grease or some kind of rubber is a good solution for all these noises. I am going to work on my problem this week. It's definately not a squeak. This is what I did with my front suspension. Seems to do good.

You think if i do what you did for the front on the rear it will help?

justin311 · #45 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 01:19 PM

To tell you the truth. IDK. I'm removing the GC's Friday and reinstalling the stock springs with the FG2's. I had it on a lift yseterday for 3 or 4 hours searching for some sort of issue, but nothing looked out of spot. I had a buddy of mine that does our mechanic work ride around with me to listen for where the clunking and clattering was coming from, and he deffinatly heard it. I've raised it, lowered it, tighten the hell out of that strut nut, greased it, everything I could think of and it still sounds like the rear end is falling apart.