Changed CV Joints - now suspension way too firm?

[drewh01]

Hi All,

Finally got round to taking my car to Driveline and they replaced the driveshafts and hence CV joints (old ones were getting to a really loud clicking noise).

Picked up car and it felt great, way less vibration through wheel - suspension seemed a bit firmer but thought that was because I was used to the worn CV joints way.

But today after driving it, something seems wrong. The front suspension seems way way too firm - if I go over a speed bump even at a low speed, will really rock the car alot more than in the past. Just doesnt feel right.

To take the old driveshafts off, they would have removed some of the suspension components right i.e. lower arm etc. But how could the suspension be so much firmer afterwards? Could they have tightened something more than it was and that causes it or, what else could cause it?


Thanks!
Andrew

[bennjamin]

possible the front suspension forks are sitting out of the groove (that keeps them straight relative to the connecting bolt etc) and might be alittle higher than usual. Just a thought ! Regardless - if you are certain there is something wrong take it back and get it sorted asap before something happens

[drewh01]

Thanks ben - I'll mention that to them when taking the car in. Basically, if I go over speed bump, the car is extremely bouncy and way too rigid - and if driving over roads where normally I wouldnt have felt any small undulations, now it'll sort of 'bounce' the car and the suspension seems way firmer than before. So you (or anyone) thinks possibly suspension forks sitting out of the grove/higher than usual? Could you think of any other possible things that would contribute?

[grifty]

maybe they upped the pressure in your tyres?

[drewh01]

Hi thx for reply - was hoping that but checked and pressure is the same as before.

I'm wondering what suspension components would they take out to get to the driveshafts - like knuckle/hub but what else? and, what of those things when put back incorrectly could cause it to feel way too firm and bouncy??

[bennjamin]

just a note - the CV joints/driveshafts move directly with the suspension. Its possible the new CV joints are binding/too tight and limiting the movement of the frontal suspension geometry.

[Mattski_VTIR]

Hi thx for reply - was hoping that but checked and pressure is the same as before.

I'm wondering what suspension components would they take out to get to the driveshafts - like knuckle/hub but what else? and, what of those things when put back incorrectly could cause it to feel way too firm and bouncy??

To remove the drive shafts in an integra, the Wheel obviosly has to come off, the 32mm spindle nut, lower ball joint need to be cracked, and suspension fork. this is all that needs to be removed to take out the drive shafts, keep in mind some people do things the hard way and take off more than required, but i doubt thats the case. have a look at your actuall shocks, how old are they, are they leaking. might not be directly related to the CV swap. How many times does your car bouce if you push down on it?, because if your shocks are old and worn, might be time to replace them. And as bennjamin said, check the forks have been seated properly! Just some ideas for you to ponder, hope you get it all soughted out. GL