Occasionally bouncy feeling when driving at 40 and 80 kph

Hi Guys and Gals.

Not sure if I am being paranoid but I noticed that sometimes the car would feel bouncy at around 40 and 80 kph. But not at other speeds. Also I can't feel the same thing when going over bad roads like hwy 7. Car also don't bounce going over the massive speed bumps in my condo.

Had the wheels balanced and while it improved a slight vibration that was present for a while this bouncy feeling still happens sometimes. What can be causing it? Shocks? Seems if shocks are going it should be bouncy all the time? And should feel it going over speed bumps?

Note the bouncing feeling isn't constantly happen. And when it does only for like a 3 up and down cycle then stops.

OEM shocks? leaking? they are probably blown
I lost count as to how many OEM shocks I blew out...

While the car may not be bouncing all the time, it's easy enough to pull off a wheel to look for a leak

I get this sometimes... its certain (parts of) roads that do it to me. The pavement looks flat, but its actually kinda... ripply i guess... it seems to excite a resonant frequency in the suspension or something and is really annoying. I have checked my suspension and it seems perfectly fine (although its got like 86,000km on the OEM speed suspension)
Might be the same thing for you, but i have no idea. Way to check is to see if it always does it in the same spots.

I had the shocks checked it's not leaking. It might just be the stretch of road. It's doesn't feels like suspension issue as I would see that all the time. It might be the ripple in the road surface thing along with the different weight etc of the winter tires setup.

Either way I guess I'll observe it and if it gets worse..

Roads are getting worse out there. As well as the work of paving them getting sloppy.

I get the same thing..Is your car new?

do you have lowering springs? lol

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Originally Posted by gotak

Hi Guys and Gals.

Not sure if I am being paranoid but I noticed that sometimes the car would feel bouncy at around 40 and 80 kph. But not at other speeds. Also I can't feel the same thing when going over bad roads like hwy 7. Car also don't bounce going over the massive speed bumps in my condo.

Had the wheels balanced and while it improved a slight vibration that was present for a while this bouncy feeling still happens sometimes. What can be causing it? Shocks? Seems if shocks are going it should be bouncy all the time? And should feel it going over speed bumps?

Note the bouncing feeling isn't constantly happen. And when it does only for like a 3 up and down cycle then stops.

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That is the exact symptoms of out of balance tires or tire...Get your tires checked...Air pressure first.


_3

Well had the wheels rebalanced and it still happens sometimes. I was in a friend's sonata a few weeks back going over the same stretch of 404 and I noticed his car doing the same thing and he just has everything done (balance, alignment etc) and it's also a newish car. That plus this doesn't happen all the time makes me think the stretch of 404 is just bad.

The car's from 2010 and not that many miles on it. I don't like things (militantly) like lowering springs so no. There's an M3 where I live and he piss everyone off cause he lowered his car so much he has to take the underground parking ramp at an insane angle, blocking everyone from coming in or out while he slowly edge his way in. He also always has to left turn out from the condo onto the streets because he needs to angle out slowly with everyone honking at him. When you do things like that you might as well not drive IMHO. I mean if you lower a car like that a corolla can screw with you drag racing you on a bumpy road, and maybe costing you thousands from bottoming out if you are dumb enough to take the bait.

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Originally Posted by gotak

Well had the wheels rebalanced and it still happens sometimes. I was in a friend's sonata a few weeks back going over the same stretch of 404 and I noticed his car doing the same thing and he just has everything done (balance, alignment etc) and it's also a newish car. That plus this doesn't happen all the time makes me think the stretch of 404 is just bad.

The car's from 2010 and not that many miles on it. I don't like things (militantly) like lowering springs so no. There's an M3 where I live and he piss everyone off cause he lowered his car so much he has to take the underground parking ramp at an insane angle, blocking everyone from coming in or out while he slowly edge his way in. He also always has to left turn out from the condo onto the streets because he needs to angle out slowly with everyone honking at him. When you do things like that you might as well not drive IMHO. I mean if you lower a car like that a corolla can screw with you drag racing you on a bumpy road, and maybe costing you thousands from bottoming out if you are dumb enough to take the bait.

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Thats why I asked if you had lowering springs because they are not proper and will cause your car to bounce or sway much more over bumps, especially at highway speeds.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

Thats why I asked if you had lowering springs because they are not proper and will cause your car to bounce or sway much more over bumps, especially at highway speeds.

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Lowering springs cause your car to sway eh. That's news to me.

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Originally Posted by Hyperion

Lowering springs cause your car to sway eh. That's news to me.

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You think lowering springs are a proper way of lowering? I'd expect better from you Hyperion. When I say sway I mean rock back and fourth.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

You think lowering springs are a proper way of lowering? I'd expect better from you Hyperion. When I say sway I mean rock back and fourth.

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How are lowering springs not a proper way of lowering?

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Originally Posted by 2012speed3

How are lowering springs not a proper way of lowering?

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Everyone knows you're suppose to cut the springs. Duh!

Maybe the wheels weren't mounted on the car properly. I.e. Off centre. Do you have stock or aftermarket wheelswheels?

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Originally Posted by Rob23

You think lowering springs are a proper way of lowering? I'd expect better from you Hyperion. When I say sway I mean rock back and fourth.

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Properly installed springs will not cause your car to sway. If anything they will reduce it. A mild drop on stock struts like the prokits should not induce those symptoms, only just faster wear and tear.

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Originally Posted by 2012speed3

How are lowering springs not a proper way of lowering?

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Originally Posted by Hyperion

Properly installed springs will not cause your car to sway. If anything they will reduce it. A mild drop on stock struts like the prokits should not induce those symptoms, only just faster wear and tear.

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Yes lowering springs on stock struts do cause bounce. Look it up.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

Yes lowering springs on stock struts do cause bounce. Look it up.

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I'm currently running Cobb springs with stock struts/shocks and no bouncing here.

Guys I think you're missing the point... there are just some roads/parts of roads that will cause this. Unless it does it all the time (which it doesn't sound like it does), its probably not (completely) the cars fault.

About lowering springs causing your car to rock n roll.... that is ridiculous, unless your struts are dead or your springs were intended for a pogo stick and not a car.

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Originally Posted by 2012speed3

How are lowering springs not a proper way of lowering?

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Originally Posted by Cab0oze

Guys I think you're missing the point... there are just some roads/parts of roads that will cause this. Unless it does it all the time (which it doesn't sound like it does), its probably not (completely) the cars fault.

About lowering springs causing your car to rock n roll.... that is ridiculous, unless your struts are dead or your springs were intended for a pogo stick and not a car.

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No actually it is fact, and simple physics really.
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/sitem...p/t-95140.html
http://www.gencoupe.com/suspension-2...ng-bounce.html
http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/t45...s-too-much.htm

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Originally Posted by gotak

Well had the wheels rebalanced and it still happens sometimes. I was in a friend's sonata a few weeks back going over the same stretch of 404 and I noticed his car doing the same thing and he just has everything done (balance, alignment etc) and it's also a newish car. That plus this doesn't happen all the time makes me think the stretch of 404 is just bad.

The car's from 2010 and not that many miles on it. I don't like things (militantly) like lowering springs so no. There's an M3 where I live and he piss everyone off cause he lowered his car so much he has to take the underground parking ramp at an insane angle, blocking everyone from coming in or out while he slowly edge his way in. He also always has to left turn out from the condo onto the streets because he needs to angle out slowly with everyone honking at him. When you do things like that you might as well not drive IMHO. I mean if you lower a car like that a corolla can screw with you drag racing you on a bumpy road, and maybe costing you thousands from bottoming out if you are dumb enough to take the bait.

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You know sometimes it helps to be more precise when describing symptoms. Now you tell us the tires have (recently?) been balanced, and that the bouncing only occurs on a (certain?) stretch of the 404. C'mon dude lets use some commonsense here; If it only occurs on a 'certain stretch of road', Duh, what could it be?

If it occurs on ANY road and only at the speeds you posted, it's definitely a tire balance issue. Get them re-checked and make sure they set the air pressures on all tires correctly too.

_3

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Originally Posted by Rob23

No actually it is fact, and simple physics really.
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/sitem...p/t-95140.html
http://www.gencoupe.com/suspension-2...ng-bounce.html
http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/t45...s-too-much.htm

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Fact: My car does not bounce.

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Originally Posted by 2012speed3

Fact: My car does not bounce.

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Not yet lol. So much ignorance lol.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

No actually it is fact, and simple physics really.
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/sitem...p/t-95140.html
http://www.gencoupe.com/suspension-2...ng-bounce.html
http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/t45...s-too-much.htm

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LOL, so because some Doh-heads on other sites say it causes bouncing, it's FACT? Geez. Lowering springs are engineered for the particular vehicle, if one uses the correct springs there should be no issues except maybe a harsher ride. If the shocks/struts are already on their way out when springs are installed that could cause bouncing also. But if one has new or newer shocks in working order, lowering springs will not cause any bouncing. Maybe these people are misinterpretting 'jolting' for bouncing...Jolting comes with the territory. i.e; stiffer suspension.

I've had my springs on for years, never experienced nor do I presently experience bouncing...

_3

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Originally Posted by Rob23

Not yet lol. So much ignorance lol.

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No not yet, but when and if it does start to bounce it's because the stock struts/shocks have blown, not because of lowering springs!

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Originally Posted by 2012speed3

How are lowering springs not a proper way of lowering?

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Originally Posted by Flagrum_3

LOL, so becuase some Doh-heads on other sites say it causes bouncing, it's FACT? Geez. Lowering springs are engineered for the particular vehicle, if one uses the correct springs there should be no issues except maybe a harsher ride. If the shocks/struts are already on their way out when springs are installed that could cause bouncing also. But if one has new or newer shocks in working order, lowering springs will not cause any bouncing. Maybe these people are misinterpretting 'jolting' for bouncing.
I've had my springs on for years, never experienced nor do I presently experience bouncing.

_3

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exactly, the spring rate is rated to the stiffness of your shocks. the fact that you are sitting much farther down on your shocks you have much more vertical travel therefor when you hit bumps your suspension will have more bounce. Weather you notice it or not, its there. I don't need to continue arguing so take it in or block it out I don't care.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

exactly, the spring rate is rated to the stiffness of your shocks. the fact that you are sitting much farther down on your shocks you have much more vertical travel therefor when you hit bumps your suspension will have more bounce. Weather you notice it or not, its there. I don't need to continue arguing so take it in or block it out I don't care.

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WRONG! If your sitting lower, your shocks are already slightly compressed, therefore LESS vertical travel, thats common sense physics. Less compression travel is what causes the harshness. Did you bother reading the bold area of my last post? These people are definitely mis-interpretting the jolting that occurs over irregularities on the road with bouncing...Bouncing is a totally different animal.

_3

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Originally Posted by Rob23

exactly, the spring rate is rated to the stiffness of your shocks. the fact that you are sitting much farther down on your shocks you have much more vertical travel therefor when you hit bumps your suspension will have more bounce. Weather you notice it or not, its there. I don't need to continue arguing so take it in or block it out I don't care.

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Bounce happens when your shocks are not doing what they are supposed to and your suspension is riding solely on your springs. Shocks are valved for compression and rebound which slows the rate of vertical travel of the suspension (stops bouncing). How do lowering springs give you "much more vertical travel" :whoa

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Originally Posted by Flagrum_3

WRONG! If your sitting lower, your shocks are already slightly compressed, therefore LESS vertical travel, thats common sense physics. Less compression travel is what causes the harshness. Did you bother reading the bold area of my last post? These people are definitely mis-interpretting the jolting that occurs over irregularities on the road with bouncing...Bouncing is a totally different animal.

_3

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I think it is you mis-interpretting what I am saying because I am not talking about harsh bouncing. The spring is much shorter than the shock thats where you get a loose bouncing feeling. The spring is not going to hold the car down lol.
Thats why when you get a good aftermarket shock they are usually adjustable to the spring. so you don't go beyond the travel of the spring.

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Originally Posted by Flagrum_3

You know sometimes it helps to be more precise when describing symptoms. Now you tell us the tires have (recently?) been balanced, and that the bouncing only occurs on a (certain?) stretch of the 404. C'mon dude lets use some commonsense here; If it only occurs on a 'certain stretch of road', Duh, what could it be?

If it occurs on ANY road and only at the speeds you posted, it's definitely a tire balance issue. Get them re-checked and make sure they set the air pressures on all tires correctly too.

_3

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Reading fail.

I had the balancing done after initially noticing the issue. And that did not stop what I was feeling. This was posted on the original question!

As for if it's a certain stretch of road it took a few weeks of driving here and there to isolate the issue to the road. If I take certain lanes at certain part of my daily drive the "issue" is more apparent. If I happen to drive in another lane it is less. So when I first started noticing the issue it just felt like it was happening randomly and I wasn't sure if I was just not noticing it at times or if it was the road. And also given the typical crap shoot as to what the traffic would be like I wasn't able to drive at the same speed or go up and down the speedo to test out whether it was actually happening exactly at certain speeds.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

I think it is you mis-interpretting what I am saying because I am not talking about harsh bouncing. The spring is much shorter than the shock thats where you get a loose bouncing feeling. The spring is not going to hold the car down lol.
Thats why when you get a good aftermarket shock they are usually adjustable to the spring. so you don't go beyond the travel of the spring.

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:s adjustable shocks doesn't mean that the length of them is adjustable! The dampening is adjustable meaning you can chane the rate of flow of oil through the valves inside the shock to modify the dampening characteristics (speed up or slow the rate that compresses and rebounds)

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Originally Posted by 2012speed3

:s adjustable shocks doesn't mean that the length of them is adjustable! The dampening is adjustable meaning you can chane the rate of flow of oil through the valves inside the shock to modify the dampening characteristics (speed up or slow the rate that compresses and rebounds)

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adjustable as in how high or low the spring sits im not talking about the compression or travel of the shock.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

adjustable as in how high or low the spring sits im not talking about the compression or travel of the shock.

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Coilovers?

Rob23, it really sounds like you're taking shots in the dark here and hoping for the best.
Except the room has already been emptied and everyone's gone home.
Please stahp

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Originally Posted by gotak

Reading fail.

I had the balancing done after initially noticing the issue. And that did not stop what I was feeling. This was posted on the original question!

As for if it's a certain stretch of road it took a few weeks of driving here and there to isolate the issue to the road. If I take certain lanes at certain part of my daily drive the "issue" is more apparent. If I happen to drive in another lane it is less. So when I first started noticing the issue it just felt like it was happening randomly and I wasn't sure if I was just not noticing it at times or if it was the road. And also given the typical crap shoot as to what the traffic would be like I wasn't able to drive at the same speed or go up and down the speedo to test out whether it was actually happening exactly at certain speeds.

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Sorry no reading fail, maybe a writing fail. You never told us exactly when the balancing was done, could have been months ago. The point was to get it back in and re-check the balancing. It wouldn't be the first time someone screwed up on balancing. The second point also. Again if the issue occurs only on certain road(s) it is not a issue.

_3

An underdamped setup will oscillate more before reaching equilibrium after a disturbance (eg. a bump). I think that's the underlying basis of what Rob23's talking about.

But yeah, the shots in the dark kinda gotta stop. I know very little about car suspension set ups and even I know you're grasping at straws in some of those posts.

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Originally Posted by Zuluwun

An underdamped setup will oscillate more before reaching equilibrium after a disturbance (eg. a bump).

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Underdamped would happen if your shocks are already dead/dying like flagrum said. I've seen plenty of lowered cars rocking like boats (like the links that rob posted referred to) but this isn't because they were lowered, it's because some ricer thought he could slam his ride on 50$ springs and not touch his 10 year old shocks.

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Originally Posted by Zuluwun

An underdamped setup will oscillate more before reaching equilibrium after a disturbance (eg. a bump). I think that's the underlying basis of what Rob23's talking about.

But yeah, the shots in the dark kinda gotta stop. I know very little about car suspension set ups and even I know you're grasping at straws in some of those posts.

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Maybe but I simply just don't care. Ppl in this forum just look for reasons to argue, and twist everything you say. You guys are worse than my ex girlfriend.

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Originally Posted by Rob23

Maybe but I simply just don't care. Ppl in this forum just look for reasons to argue, and twist everything you say. You guys are worse than my ex girlfriend.

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No, no, simply correcting your statements. You obviously care enough to reply.

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Originally Posted by Hyperion

No, no, simply correcting your statements. You obviously care enough to reply.

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dude, I tried to say that I didn't want to argue and that I didn't care yesterday. My origonal post was simple. If you don't agree i don't care. you guys took what I was saying out of context and took it personal, then started getting technical.
I don't like lowering springs, I don't think they work well. So get over it, Im not trying to insult your car.

arguing aside, here's my 2 cents:

i get this same "bouncy" feeling when driving east on the 401 from Mississauga just before the sign to the Eglinton Ave exit. This only happens in the lane beside the furthest left one. If I am driving in that lane I will feel the car continously bouncing for quite some time. It was much worse when I was on my raceland coils compared to my current setup but I can still feel it so I always switch lanes. My point: the road condition will contribute to this "bouncy" feeling no matter what the setup is but I think you will feel it more on a lowered car since the spring is usually firmer and more compressed