DC5R steering problem

**repeatedlove** · 07-09-2010 05:53 PM

Hi guys,

Have done a search but couldn't find anything specifc to the problem I'm having. So hope someone can shed more light.

Currently got an 01 DC5R that's recently started drifting/pulling to the right even on light acceleration and has lost the handling it used to have. The car was lowered by the previous owner using King Springs & stock suspension. I've had it checked out by a tyre specialist and even after a wheel alignment the car would still pull right. They suggested I take it to Honda to check the gearbox/driveshaft because according to them, the car would stop pulling right when shifted to neutral.

So, took it to Honda but couldn't find anything wrong either and so suggested I take it to Pedders. I took it to Pedders to get a suspension check. The report is as follows:
-Front shocks = pass
-Front springs = fail (bump steering)
-Frong sway bar links = fail (ball joint loose - noise)
-Rear Bump stops = fail (shocks bottom out)
-Rear springs = fail (shocks bottom out)
-Rear shocks = pass
-Engine mounts = fail (requires attention - torque steer)

The guy at Pedders also showed me the steering arm whilst the car was hoisted and on the ground. He said the arm was way "angled" when grounded.
Now I'm newbie when it comes to most things car related so wanted to know what options I have in terms of fixing the steering problem.

1. The report says the front and rear shocks are fine but the springs are gone. Could I just get better springs or will be shocks be nearly gone too?
2. Will buying a new set of coilovers fix my problems (ie: car can still be lowered without steering issues)?
3. Honda checked the car and said the engine mounts were fine (engine mounts were replaced about two years ago). However Pedders gave me a quick demo of the engine flexing quite a bit. Could it be the mounts? Should I go with something other than OEM Honda?

Sorry for such a long post. Any help would be much appreciated.

**Nighthawk_S** · 07-09-2010 10:17 PM

Lowering a DC5 causes all sorts of geometry issues. The first problem you have is the use of lowering springs on stock shocks...does not work well cos the spring rates arent matched to the shocks and you run out of (already limited) suspension travel and the shocks wear out faster, causing some of the issues noted above. Fully adjustable coilivers (dampening and height separate) will fix this problem. However, there are still a bunch of other issues if you lower over 1 inch from stock height.

At the rear its mainly the excessive negative camber (undesired in a front wheel drive) which can be fixed with a rear camber kit.

At the front, the steering tie rods due to the unusual design, are angled too far upwards from the horizontal when lowered causing toe and bump steer issues. Can be fixed with shorter steering tie rods and/or inverted tie rod bolts.
Also, the lower front control arms become to close to horizontal, raising the roll centre and causing unwanted positive camber gain during cornering. This can be fixed with roll centre adjusters that correct the lower control arm angle.

This is just a basic explanation of the main problem areas. If you search for the terms in bold you will find alot of info. Try ClubRSX also for information.

Other people on here will have alot more expeience than me with these issues and can probably help you further.

Best idea IMO is to buy coilovers of some sort, BC, Buddyclub or even Mugen SS are the cheaper acceptable options. Run your car no more than 1 inch lower than stock and you should be all good as far is alignment is concerned, you wont need any of the above alignment products.
Weather this will fix the pulling right problem im not sure tho, but correcting the steering tie rod angle gives the alignment people more adjustment room to play with which may be able to correct your problem?

**repeatedlove** · 08-09-2010 10:58 AM

Thanks Nighthawk_S. Makes a bit more sense now.

Was thinking of going new coilovers (ie: Buddy Club) to improve the handling and with fingers crossed, fix the pulling issue as well. The other option I was considering was to just replace the springs with ones that aren't lowered (and get the height back to stock). Obviously this will not be as good as coilovers but should nevertheless have improved handling as well as eliminate the geometry issues associated with lowering?

**Nighthawk_S** · 08-09-2010 11:26 AM

If you want to go back to stock, I would recommend waiting for a full set of stock suspension (shocks and springs) to come up for sale second hand. Its easier and quicker to install cos you dont have to take the struts apart to get the springs out. You can just swap the whole units over. Also, who knows how much life is left in your stock shocks...it would suck to spend $500+ on parts an labour to get it back to stock and find your shocks are near rooted anyway. if you can do the install yourself...different story.

BC coilovers (not buddyclub) are only about $1200 a set and people seem to have good things to say about them considering they are only cheapies.