Rep Power: 434

I got the basics installed by my local shop. Great guys to do business with, just one complaint that I think you suspension gurus may be able to help me with.

When I go over speed bumps, the rear of the car makes (what I believe to be) dust boot on spring perch noises. I don't know if that's the case though. When I asked the shop guys about it, they said that the problem I had asked them to fix (dust boot HITTING the springs?) was gone and that I should bring it back tomorrow if the noise that I have now is still present.

I got home about 30 minutes ago and I took a look-see at my rear suspension, and from what I can tell, the dust boot is definitely hitting the spring perch.

Pics of what I'm talking about:
passenger side rear:


drivers side rear:


I don't know if you can see it clearly or not, but the black part behind the springs is the dust boot, or that's what I like to call it. I told the shop to keep a 2 finger gap all around and that's what happened. Am I supposed to cut the boot or what? Is that even an option?

Thanks in advance.

 
Rep Power: 607

same thing happened to me........went away after about 2-3 wks.

 
Rep Power: 434

So I just have to wait it out? Can't I cut that pesky dust boot or just not use it altogether?

 
Rep Power: 607

most ppl cut it........i never cut mine

 
Rep Power: 434

Thanks. I would give you rep, but the forum won't allow me

Is it time to update the sig, too?

 
Rep Power: 607

 
Rep Power: 310

I had to cut my dust boot because it starting making a VERY loud cracking noise. If you do cut it take off about an inch and a half off the dust boot and you should be good to go.

If the noise goes away then dont cut anything..

 
Rep Power: 434

i'll take your word from it, mr. slammed n beautiful civic. lol. i'm taking the car back to the shop tomorrow morning.

 
Rep Power: 310

thanks man.

i mean, you dont have to do it unless it is making the cracking noise..... it is better to leave the dust boot as is beacuse it gives some prtection. with my dust boot cut the area where the rod goes into the shock is exposed to dirt and dust..... so thats the bad part about cutting the boot.

but like i said, if it is making noise then get it cut..... its not that big of a deal either way you go.

good luck

 
Rep Power: 434

it makes a sound, i can't really describe it in words (lost in translation, ya know?), but it sounds like the suspension is loose, as in the two bolts up top are not tightened. i tightened them down but i'm going to go with the dust boot. it can't possibly get that bad without it, can it? i mean, i drove my koni's without the dust boot and they're...fine for the most part

 
Rep Power: 0

how's the ride quality?

does it feel stiff over speedbumps? or semi-smooth like stock suspension?

 
Rep Power: 434

it's been way too long to know what a stock suspension feels like.

 
Rep Power: 0

lol...good response! ^_^

 
Rep Power: 607

i have the ss and they ride just like stock. The only difference is when i hit potholes or like on the interstate when there is a bridge and their is slight difference in height. It bobbles a little bit, but not that bad. The handling is supreme over stock.

 
Rep Power: 310

I wouldnt say they ride exactly like stock but the ride smoothness is hella close. I been in cars with BGs, sleeved coilover/shock combos and Teins ride soooo much better and smoother. To this day it is the best money I spent on my car.

 
Rep Power: 607

yeah, it isn't exactly like stock......but i love it. And yes........best mod on my car yet.......even over turbo

 
Rep Power: 0

The SS is a bit stiff than stock at mid setting, but to the untrained person there would be no difference.

However if you have it set at level 1 damping there is a difference.

 
Rep Power: 0

at least ur tein fit.. my flex wouldnt fit in rear so monday ima go shove them up tein's ***

 
Rep Power: 310

i never heard of that before, you probably got a lemon

 
Rep Power: 434

new problem has arose. i hit a bump in the road and my left rear suspension is now making all sorts of noises. it mainly sounds like a bolt came *almost* undone, and is now being hit with all sorts of parts. i think it may be the camber kit that got loose, but i have no way of checking.

i'm going to the shop on saturday to cut the bumpstops and to get this problem resolved. there goes more of my money.

 
Rep Power: 293

Good luck with that

 
Rep Power: 0

nah i got the first set.. so they say.. its common to have issues... they rely on consumers to tell them.. now their on their way back to friggin japan.. i told them just gimme 2 damn RSX bottoms and ill be good to go..

 
Rep Power: 434

bump

 
Rep Power: 310

no no no, DO NOT cust the bump stops. they are not causing the noise.

do me a favor, take a pic of the top part of the Teins from inside your car. open your trunk and pull back the carpeting so you can expose the suspension and take a picture of it.

if you said it sounds like somethign came loose then i think that rubber thing that goes around the rod might have popped out of that little metal boot.

just take a pic and post it.

also, it doesnt look lieky our dust boot got cut enough. it has to get cut to the rod that goes into the shock is exposed a little. did the boot get cut or not?

 
Rep Power: 434

dust boot is not cut yet. as for the rubber...thing...no that has not popped out. i've had enough trouble with those rubber things with my koni's cause i didn't put a washer on top of them, so the rubber things would pop off whenever i went over bumps.

i'm thinking that the noise (rattling [sort of...] when going over bumps) is coming from the camber kit...like it somehow came loose on one of the larger grooves in the road.

 
Rep Power: 315

Feel for ya, thats why if I can't do it It don't get done.

 
Rep Power: 310

hmm. i guess the best thign to do would be to cut the dust boot and see what happens.

 
Rep Power: 315

I really think your on the right track with the camber kit. Possible someone didn't tighten it up properly.

 
Rep Power: 434

just got back from the shop. the camber kit was not the problem, and the noise is still there. the tech said that it may be a bushing from something (i didn't have $ for diagnosing the prob), more than likely it is a bad bushing on the control arm. he told me to ride it out, so i'm going to do just that. the sound isn't that bad anyways. it just happens on bumps like speed bumps or pot holes. he also re-installed, and fixed - missing a sleeve, the driver's rear tein and only charged $30 as opposed to the normal rate of $75

 
Rep Power: 310

Another option would be to spray a shitload of WD40 all over the suspension where its making noise. I remember a while ago my rear left Tein started squeeking so I took a some WD40 and sprayed liek half a can in there and the sound went away.