michael14 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 So my girlfriends car has been through vtnz for her latest wof, when the car is jacked up there is no movement in the spring. But when its on the ground there is a slight movement in it, (by pulling it with a fair amount of force you can move the spring, only very slighlty) What could the problem be? And whats the easiest way to go about fixing this? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Physics no comprendhe? The spring will ALWAYS be under compression when the car is on the ground so how there can be movement under compression but no movement when at droop? I would check this yourself or get a more detailed explanation from the WOF guy - sounds like your missus has told you the problem and got it wrong.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael14 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Ive lookedmyself and yeah I know, sounds very weird but this is exactly what happens. Im going to take it to the wof guy later on today and show him what im talking about and try get a good explination out of him, was just seeing what you guys thought. But yeah the physics dont make sense haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morkster Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Sounds like it might be something like the steering bearings (rotational bearings on the strut) flogged out causing the play. Just a guess I'm no expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael14 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Im no expert either, not a mechanic by any stretch haha, any advice at this stage is very helpful, so cheers will check it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kseries.rookie Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Is it with all springs, or just one in particular? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael14 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 One in particular, front drivers side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Sounds like it might be something like the steering bearings (rotational bearings on the strut) flogged out causing the play. Just a guess I'm no expert. This is a very valid point - so would be checking the strut tops. It's not the spring that has movement though - it's the entire strut. What sort of car are we talking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael14 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Its a s14 silvia, not the kind of car I have much of an idea about, just trying to help her out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kseries.rookie Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Just do a simple hand-eye check for now - like KK suggested. Make sure that the bolt on the top of the strut is nice and tight, and same with all the other bolts in there. Same/similar suspension as the A31 cefiro/laurels/skylines etc - and my personal experience I wouldn't know why one wiggles and the others don't unless the spring is in side the strut incorrectly. It certainly doesn't sound as tho the spring is uncaptive, otherwise you would have a hella uneven ride, and when it's jacked up, it would look like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael14 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Nah definately not like that when its up, I cant move it when its jacked just when its down I can, makes no sense what so ever but yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kseries.rookie Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Highly strange.. Perhaps an actual mechanic can shed some light instead of a backyard googler like myself - but seems really weird to me. When you say it moves - are you talking about the spring moving, or the whole strut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael14 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Im fairly sure its the spring, I may have been looking at it wrong and it could be the whole strut loose, Ill need to have a closer look when im home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Could the spring be the wrong shape for the perch perhaps? It could fit better with no load on it, but with the weight of the car in it it compresses and no longer seats properly allowing it to swing/rotate slightly? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japawagons Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 You need someone who is experienced to actually come and have a look in person. It's a very peculiar description you are providing. I doubt you will get any help from internet guesstimating. Where abouts in this fine country are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ta63-1uzze Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 lol, its kind of obvious isn't it ?? the top mount is fucked. so the spring still has load on it, its still holding the weight of the car but its not being held centre thus the spring can move side to side and still be captive . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Check the top bush on the strut, Not the pivot point at the top but where the the shaft goes into the shock body. Most will leak oil when it's worn but it may my be the problem. It can cause the symptoms you are describing because the shaft is held tight when it's extended but free to move side ways when the suspension is loaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael14 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Hey sorry been away this weekend, me and my dad have tried alot, is there any negative affect from just welding it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaver Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 man, take it to a different mechanic and get a professional opinion. WIthout photos there is no use asking on the internet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Welding what? Bad idea to weld anything in that region... If you can't take it apart and look yourself, +1 to the above idea. Get a mechanic to look at it and fix it. It's pretty crucial to not piss with suspension if you're not sure what's up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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