Stagea ''floating'' Rear End Whilst Driving

[lmoidin]

hey there,

my series 1 stagea is sitting at stock height and has 18inch wheels.... i noticed it has the floating feel when driving, the rear tends to float over bumps and gives the feeling that its following any grooves or bumps or ditches in the road... i had similar thing in the past with my commodore wagon and a hilux but am told its because they are light in the rear end...

is there anything i can do to try and sort the issue, i do not want to put coilovers in can't afford and i dont want to lower...

[colourclassic]

First thing to look at would be your rear dampers. If they're old/worn-out then they will definitely make the rear end feel floaty. If they check out to be good, then the next step would be to inspect the UCA and LCA bushes. After 15 years the stock items will be on their way out.

[bentwagon]

What size tyres, ever since I put on 245/40/18's I've had a similar problem.

[zoomzoom]

It is a wagon after all, and is built with a large empty box at the back. On my old worn set of tyres, getting down to a quarter tank of fuel was like an arcade drift game...

[KiwiRS4T]

Worn components would be the first thing to check for. Excessive (or any) toe out will cause that feeling. A heavier sway bar will help a lot.

[wolverine]

Would it be silly to take it to a decent place and have them check the alignment both front and rear?

Simple things first IMO.

[Ben C34]

It is a wagon after all, and is built with a large empty box at the back. On my old worn set of tyres, getting down to a quarter tank of fuel was like an arcade drift game...

something other than worn tires is causing that.

[joshm35]

fill the back up with backpackers

[NISSAN GTR]

Mine was doing the same as yours , installed Tein Lowering springs on stock shockers , fix it straight away

[lmoidin]

thanks for the info, its had an alignment and is on brand new tyres...not sure of profile size, i will get the dampers and bushes checked out this week.......as for replacement ones if it is the scenario what kind of price range would i be looking at?

[lmoidin]

so the lowering springs made a huge difference? the car is quite high at the moment but thats what i prefer as i use it for work and am in and out of carparks 24/7...

[wolverine]

So what settings are on the car then? Camber, toe etc?

[GH05T]

you dont need to lower your car, a stock high ride height is fine and shouldnt feel dangerous.

take it to pedders or somewhere that will do a full check testing shocks and componants.

theywill try and sell you everyting pedders under the sun but just get the check done and go from there.

[lmoidin]

Thanks Gho5t 4 the advice. .. heading to prefers after work tomorrow

[GH05T]

also did the allignment place give you a numbers read out? what was your rear toe? as KiwiRS4T said this can make a huge impact

[zoomzoom]

Just my 2c, when I had a pedders 28 point inspection, they missed everything wrong with the suspension. When I paid $120 for a reputable workshop to do an inspection they came up with a very very thorough list (also more than the suspension). Most opinions on pedders are about as flattering.

[zoomzoom]

*** However, I should add that I did not agree with everything on the comprehensive list. I also made more cost effective repairs eg, the workshop wanted to replace the entire strut and spring assembly just to replace the shock. I replaced the shocks myself.

I guess my experience was almost the opposite. I knew something (or several things) was wrong in the suspension and pedders didn't pick up on them. - as opposed to workshops usually racking up unnecessary repairs.

[lmoidin]

yeah get what your saying zoomzoom... i would go tomorrow and buy a set of coilovers if i could believe me and i think if our 2nd child wasn't so close to due date i would... but it sucks the floating when i am driving on my own in car but once there is a little weight from family being car its almost non existent.... and i can't really lower the car at the moment with my wife so close u know

[wolverine]

Lowering the car isn't going to make any difference. Stock height is not causing the problem.

[NISSAN GTR]

Lowering the car isn't going to make any difference. Stock height is not causing the problem.

Yes it does , lowering the car puts constant pressure on the strut and pre- loads the suspension , its a short term cheap fix without replacing stock struts .

Like i said , this fixed my problem and very well .

Now i run Bilstiens with Tein lowering springs actually works better for street ride and will outlast any coilover .

Then again coilovers might be your best option to keep stock ride height ?

Bad advice going to pedders ……...