supraken

iTrader: (1)

My '04 (26k miles) has been getting more rough in the ride comfort department. Feels like the suspension is kinda 'floppy' (dunno how to describe it, but kind of like you hit a bumper and it rebounces a few times), and feels harsh when I hit bumps or potholes. I've confirmed this after I drove a '05 loaner (~8k miles).

I've checked tire pressure and it's right (32/30), and I think I've noticed the harshness especially if I hit bumps with the front right wheel. Does this sound like I don't have enough dampening, i.e. bad shocks? What is the right way to check?

Appreciate the feedback guys...

fuckleberry

so you mean the ride is harsher than before ?

supraken

iTrader: (1)

Yeah it is.... at first I thought it was just my imagination, but after driving in the loaner today, I realize something is wrong.... i think mainly because I was driving in really bad nyc and boston roads for at least 20k miles of the 26k miles I have on the car right now

actually I also hit a really bad pothole with the front right wheel when I first got the car (one of those where you hear a loud thump and then u feel like everything around u is dead quiet and your heart stops pouding), but I took it to the Acura dealer back then and they told me everything was fine except there was a tiny flat spot on the wheel....

I think I started to notice this 'harshness' initially around 18k miles....and now every time I see unavoidable bumps or potholes, I just hold on to the wheel and take a deep breath, hoping I won't damage anything...

Alin10123

You need new shocks when you run over a bump on the highway and it continues to bounce instead of bouncing once and stopping. If your car is that new, it might be the shock is actually leaking and the fluid inside of it drained out.

sauceman

Mine are slowly becoming wobblier. I'll live with it for a while, but will definitely look to replace them, probably next summer.

moda_way

Well, I believe our shocks have fluid in them, so if you see residue on them, my guess is they are bad.

RMATIC09

Same issues with mine. Around 22k miles, and it feels more harsher as of recently compared to before. Like you i drive on harsh NY roads. I guess a Tein upgrade can be justified now?

ILoveMyHonda

This is just a universal method of testing a strut/shock. While the car is sittin on a level ground. Press down on the corresponding corner of the vehicle that you suspect might be worn. The car should go down, rebound up one bounce then return to settled position. If it bounces more then you probably have a worn strut.

Other signs are also like moda_way has suggeted, if you see oil residue on the strut assembly itself.

Other signs include a somewhat hollow rattle noise that comes from the suspected worn strut when going over bumps.

supraken

iTrader: (1)

^^ I get exactly that hollow noise when I go over bumps..... I guess my shocks are shot?

but I thought with the newer cars, you can't really test the shocks by that method? i thought I read something like that in another thread a while ago.... when I last tried that, the suspension felt stiff on all four corners so it's hard to tell if it rebounds more than once...

As for checking the oil residue, I guess it's hard to see without taking the wheel off, right?

Do you guys think this is something that might be covered under warranty at 26k miles?

moda_way

Take the wheel off and look; you'll see it. If your car is lowered, doubtful they'll cover it.

Alin10123

Easy, find a dealer that's never seen your car before, take the lowering kit out, and put everything back to spec.

Although that is kind of sneaky because it has been proven here that if you lower your car here without also replacing the shocks, it WILL ruin the stock shocks really quick.

supraken

iTrader: (1)

I have the stock suspension and never even touched it.... although I THOUGHT about getting A spec's or the Tein SS. I guess I'll ask about it next time I take the car in for maintenance, if not then it might be a time for me to consider upgrading.....