More suspension issues !

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LS6BLACKHAWK
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:45 pm

More suspension issues !

Post by LS6BLACKHAWK » Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:41 pm

So after going the cheaper route and installing Bilstein shocks / Eibach Pro Kit springs in my 2000 Firehawk, I was horribly unimpressed. Took it all out and sent it back. I then purchased the Koni / Strano package and installed it. The car is even lower than before which looks cool but sucks because it can't make it into most parking lots. The issue though is after a few weeks, it's smashing hard in the rear when I hit even mid-sized bumps in the road. I've cut the bumpstops in half to allow for some travel but it feels like it's hitting them hard. What else can I do to solve this ?? I'm ready to sell this thing because it's driving me nuts.
2000 Hawk - LS6 with SLP headers, SFC's , STB, Koni / Strano. Build # C004 Black / Black M6

tazman71
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Re: More suspension issues !

Post by tazman71 » Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:05 pm

Are those the adjustable Koni's?

If so, see if you can soften them up a bit. One of my cars was turned up pretty good when I bought it, and it felt like that. Ajusted them down, and helped quite a bit.
02 Firehawk TA #1237
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95 Firehawk #361
Hurst, TOTL, FLP headers, 4.10 Strange 12 bolt, UMI suspension, LT4 HOTCAM, ported stock heads, 52mm Throttle Body, ATI Procharger,
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LS6BLACKHAWK
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Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:45 pm

Re: More suspension issues !

Post by LS6BLACKHAWK » Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:44 am

They are adjustable, yes. I have them set quite firm but it's been like that for a few months. It was decent for the first while, now some bumps hit soo hard, it feels like the rear end is going to fall out. It's hitting the bumpstops for sure. I just don't know how to avoid it with these Strano springs, they're super low.
2000 Hawk - LS6 with SLP headers, SFC's , STB, Koni / Strano. Build # C004 Black / Black M6

2002 red hawk
Posts: 144
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Re: More suspension issues !

Post by 2002 red hawk » Fri Jan 11, 2019 10:54 pm

Both of my 2002 Birds are on Strano springs & Koni 4/4 oca shocks. My bump stops are still in. Absolutely no issues with mine, whatsoever. Here they are for a visual. https://imgur.com/5ltLBv6 & https://imgur.com/ndgpJZm My Hawk shocks are set more firm. The road reflectors are loud going over them, but it handles like it's on rails. The ws6 is set softer. It glides over bumps in the road. Cannot drive it as aggressively as the Hawk.

LS6BLACKHAWK
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:45 pm

Re: More suspension issues !

Post by LS6BLACKHAWK » Sat Jan 12, 2019 9:22 pm

2002 red hawk wrote:
Fri Jan 11, 2019 10:54 pm
Both of my 2002 Birds are on Strano springs & Koni 4/4 oca shocks. My bump stops are still in. Absolutely no issues with mine, whatsoever. Here they are for a visual. https://imgur.com/5ltLBv6 & https://imgur.com/ndgpJZm My Hawk shocks are set more firm. The road reflectors are loud going over them, but it handles like it's on rails. The ws6 is set softer. It glides over bumps in the road. Cannot drive it as aggressively as the Hawk.
I don't get it. Yours looks as low as mine. You have factory bump stops ???. I had maybe an inch of suspension travel before I cut my stops in half. I'm thinking of having some kind of spring spacers made for the rear, just to gain an extra inch. I don't know what else to do.
2000 Hawk - LS6 with SLP headers, SFC's , STB, Koni / Strano. Build # C004 Black / Black M6

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NBrehm
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Re: More suspension issues !

Post by NBrehm » Mon Jan 14, 2019 12:16 pm

Did you put all the associated parts back in for the springs? I've known more than 1 person who missed the rubber cap part on the front mount and/or the isolators in the back. Could also be hitting your exhaust on the panhard bar set up. If you grab the tailpipe you shouldn't be able to move the exhaust very much if the bushings are good.
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

LS6BLACKHAWK
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:45 pm

Re: More suspension issues !

Post by LS6BLACKHAWK » Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:08 pm

NBrehm wrote:
Mon Jan 14, 2019 12:16 pm
Did you put all the associated parts back in for the springs? I've known more than 1 person who missed the rubber cap part on the front mount and/or the isolators in the back. Could also be hitting your exhaust on the panhard bar set up. If you grab the tailpipe you shouldn't be able to move the exhaust very much if the bushings are good.
Yes, it's all there. It's 100% hitting the stops. Would adjustable LCA's and relocation brackets help with clearance ??
2000 Hawk - LS6 with SLP headers, SFC's , STB, Koni / Strano. Build # C004 Black / Black M6

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NBrehm
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Re: More suspension issues !

Post by NBrehm » Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:29 pm

I don't think so, are you running stock wheels/tire size?? With strano springs it shouldn't be bottoming out so something must be amiss. Adjustable LCA's are more for centering the rear end, they don't really have a measurable effect on ride height.
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

LS6BLACKHAWK
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Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:45 pm

Re: More suspension issues !

Post by LS6BLACKHAWK » Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:15 pm

NBrehm wrote:
Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:29 pm
I don't think so, are you running stock wheels/tire size?? With strano springs it shouldn't be bottoming out so something must be amiss. Adjustable LCA's are more for centering the rear end, they don't really have a measurable effect on ride height.
Stock wheels and tire size. The Strano springs were a good amount shorter than the Pro Kit spring that I had before. The noise it makes when I hit a large bump is a solid thump, not metal-on-metal. It shakes the car and sounds like it's going to break. Smaller bumps don't hit hard at all, it actually feels a little soft, it makes no sense to me.
2000 Hawk - LS6 with SLP headers, SFC's , STB, Koni / Strano. Build # C004 Black / Black M6

2002 red hawk
Posts: 144
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:44 pm

Re: More suspension issues !

Post by 2002 red hawk » Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:20 pm

Have you contacted Sam Strano about any of this? If you bought your springs/ shocks from him, he can/ will assist you.

LS6BLACKHAWK
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Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:45 pm

Re: More suspension issues !

Post by LS6BLACKHAWK » Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:35 am

2002 red hawk wrote:
Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:20 pm
Have you contacted Sam Strano about any of this? If you bought your springs/ shocks from him, he can/ will assist you.
Not yet, I'll give him a call. Last time I talked to him I got mixed results so hopefully this time will be better.
2000 Hawk - LS6 with SLP headers, SFC's , STB, Koni / Strano. Build # C004 Black / Black M6

2002 red hawk
Posts: 144
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:44 pm

Re: More suspension issues !

Post by 2002 red hawk » Wed Jan 16, 2019 7:46 pm

Best of luck when you do. I've had very great talks with Sam & he has never steered me wrong.

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