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Looking for help tuning suspension
Hello all, as you can see this is my first post. I purchased a 2002 wrx wagon and have been in the process of modifying the suspension. So far I have installed: Cusco f/r strut bars, Eibach Pro-Kit Springs (stock struts), Rallitek f/r sway bars (rear set to middle hole, Whiteline end links in front), and Whiteline Adj, Lateral Links.
I bought the car about three months ago and haven't driven it much since I was out of town for the last two. I was only able to add the strut tower bars the last time I was home, but was able to purchase and have waiting the sways, springs and lateral links. I had a shop install the springs Thurs. put the sways on myself Thurs/Fri and had a tire shop install the links and do an alignment today (Sat). The reason I give the time line is to underscore the fact I haven't had a lot of time driving the thing with small changes, I pretty much threw everything at it and don't know what really did what.
The question (or issue) I have came after the lateral links were installed, and the alignment was done. It seems to have the opposite effect of what I was expecting. The rear of the car seems to shift more laterally when I go into a turn. And most curiously, if I am driving straight at around 30 - 35 and flick the wheel one way or another its almost as though the car wants to "rebound" (go past center) back. It is like the car wants to rotate, but I can't seem to get the rear loose. And overstuffing a corner introduces understeer (cheap tires perhaps). The alignment numbers are as follows: Camber Front: L -1.5, R -1.2 Rear: L -1.5, R -1.7. Toe is Front: L 0.04 R 0.05 Rear: L 0.00 R 0.02 and Caster is L 3.7 and R 3.6
Now, the car takes any corner I can chuck at it, but its that initial "uh-oh" that happens when the rear feels like it going to take a walk that worries me.
My thinking is that perhaps I have stiffened the rear of the car to such a degree that it always wants to overdrive the front. I was going to reset the rear bar to its softest position and try that. Do I need to get an ALK kit and Whiteline ball joints to make the front stiffer, or is it something in the alignment settings that is making it feel like it wants to rotate? Perhaps the initial softness of the Eibach springs aren't up to the task of working with the lateral links and stiffer swaybar?
As you can see, I have thought about this but am pretty much fishing for answers. If anyone has any suggestions I would certainly like to hear them.
By the way, I'm running some Maxxis 215/45/17's the guy I bought it from had on there.
Jeff
Last edited by jkcrewsn; 05-31-2008 at 08:27 PM..
Reason: more info
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