Looking for help tuning suspension

[jkcrewsn]

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

[Timdog1650]

Right rear camber is 1.7 or -1.7?

Not sure, but might you be referring to tramlining? Where the car sort of wants to steer itself back and forth along the road because of the tracks worn into the lane of traffic by heavy vehicles...

[jkcrewsn]

Nope, not following grooves (tramlining) and all cambers are in negative (sorry, edited that on the op). And just to clarify, the tires are sticking to the pavement fine, its just that the body shifts over (but almost not a "roll" just a "shift"). It's an odd thing, hard to explain I guess.

[Timdog1650]

Sorry man, outside my expertise...I'll let someone who knows more about suspension chime in.

[STI_KLR]

Contact BigSkyWRX, he's basically the suspension god.

[Big Sky WRX]

well your alignment #'s look pretty good, I don't see anything out of the ordinary there

if the getting if the rear is too loose, going to a softer sway bar setting should help

the Impreza takes a fair amount of driving to get the idiosyncrasies down- it has to be driven a little differently then most cars. The term slow in/fast out really applies to the Impreza.

It would be a lot easier if I could drive the car. Might be worth finding someone knowledgeable to take a spin in it, it's possible that something wasn't installed properly

this may sound silly but check the torque on your lug nuts, it's very common for them to loosen up after being removed- that will make your car feel like crap (shifty) for sure

[Timdog1650]

Originally Posted by Big Sky WRX

this may sound silly but check the torque on your lug nuts, it's very common for them to loosen up after being removed- that will make your car feel like crap (shifty) for sure

80-85ftlbs, right?

[wrxwalsh]

your bushings may be worn out and the stiffer suspension may be accentuating that movement. if everything on your car react to a certain force, and the bushings are softer, the bushings are going to squeeze and squish around casuing the motion you are talking about... the MR2 has the same issue. put poly bushings in... night and day difference

Matt

[Big Sky WRX]

Originally Posted by Timdog1650

80-85ftlbs, right?

the FSM says 69 ft lbs, I have better luck w/ 76 ft lbs

about bushings- the WL lateral links come w/ poly bushings throughout, the only suspension bushings left in the rear are the trailing links- they generally influence more fore/aft movement, but do have some effect on lateral movement as well

[jkcrewsn]

Thanks for all the input. The lug nuts are tight (checked that out quick), so maybe its just getting used to the way the suspension is working now with all the different parts. I have never had a suspension set up like this, and it certainly handles well. I am looking forward to getting the front end upgraded as well. Thanks again for all the replies.

Jeff

By the way, does anyone else have a hard time getting on this site? I haven't been able to get here for the last few days.

[Big Sky WRX]

the server has been messing up for me as well

[jkcrewsn]

Well at least it isn't just me.

I was looking at the pre alignment numbers and noticed that prior to the alignment I was running (in the rear) Left Toe: -1.96 and Right Toe: -1.37. The toe is now L: 0.00 and R: +0.02, so I suppose that could account for some of the difference in feel as well.

[Big Sky WRX]

if those were your pre toe numbers- wow! I can't imagine tires lasting at all w/ those #'s, not the least the extreme dartiness you would have felt

[Big Sky WRX]

if those were your pre toe numbers- wow! I can't imagine tires lasting at all w/ those #'s, not the least the extreme dartiness you would have felt

are you sure those are your pre toe #'s ? they are extremely high

[Redneck Slim]

The sensation that you describe could definitely be caused by something being loose in the rear suspension. I would put the car on jackstands and check everything. Yank,shake,twist. Tire/wheel assemblies,strut/spring assemblies,bars,etc. Make sure that all of the nuts and bolts are tight,including the top strut nuts. Look for any sign of tear or distortion in bushings.