Rear Suspension issues...

[RazorbackH3]

Hey guys, (Sorry in advance for the big pictures...)

I'm having a bit of an issue with the rear end of my 3... For a few months now I've had an extremely harsh ride with most of the roughness coming from the rear. (Got Bilsteins front and rear to replace blown Pro-comps and they helped a bit) But now the back end of my 3 is acting really sketchy, feels like a jackhammer over even the smallest bumps... I can't tell if it's time for some replacement leaf springs or what because there isn't really any sign of sagging in my opinion, sits near level with the front, but the ride has become extremely unbearable to the point where I'm nervous/dread even driving it... Has anybody experience this sort of behavior from I would guess "ok"/non-sagging springs? (Both sides of the rear measure 24" from the wheel hub to the fender lip.) Is GM Parts House a good place to order leafs from? (Don't have a spring/4x4 shop anywhere around me that could make better than OEM, custom springs unfortunately...)

Also would slightly longer/extended shackles improve the ride at all/prolong the inevitable saggy bottom? (Just trying to be thrifty)

Doesn't look sagged?

Driver's side

Passenger's side

Another view of the driver's

 

[K0PIR]

Looks okay from the pics to me. I don't have Blistens but aren't they stiff anyway? Could your tire pressure have anything to do with it?

Rich - K0PIR

 

[RazorbackH3]

Thanks K0PIR Yeah, they were pretty stiff from the get go, but were better than the blown/short Procomps I had... I've been running my tires at 30 PSI for a few months now (Down from 40-41) but am honestly scared to run any lower... (Except when offroad) Don't want my tires to come loose from the rims...

 

[RamRod]

I don't see anything wrong, check the sway bar and the rubber isolators, perhaps you have something chewed up or out of wack

 

[RazorbackH3]

Thanks Ram, yeah there's something up with the rear end... (Where are the isolators; on the leaf spring or sway bar, and are there replacements available? Also what would I need to be on the look out for in regards to the sway bar? Sorry for the noob questions, just not understanding what's up with my H3.

 

[4speedfunk]

Check the top bolts of the shocks, they can wear loose.
Check U-bolts at the axle tubes.
Make sure the front eye of the main leafs is not broken.

That last item is strangely common, and the spring will stay in place even when its broken in two.

 

[RazorbackH3]

Thanks CJ... Will do, I'll head out and check.

 

[RamRod]

Check the top bolts of the shocks, they can wear loose.
Check U-bolts at the axle tubes.
Make sure the front eye of the main leafs is not broken.

That last item is strangely common, and the spring will stay in place even when its broken in two.

Or that the rubber inside isn't destroyed!

 

[RazorbackH3]

Yeah everything checks out... No cracking or broke main leaf eyes, just your usual surface rust from living in Michigan/Ohio since it was new, and everything is tight soo nothing is loose... I'm out of ideas... was out sitting under the back end of the 3 for 30 minutes triple checking everything and nothing comes to mind... :gaah:Just a question, but could extended shackles help the ride any, like smooth it out even a hair or am I just thinking with my head in the clouds? Since the general consensuses is that my springs look fine...

 

[RazorbackH3]

Or that the rubber inside isn't destroyed!

Rubber looks good, shockingly... That's what I thought when I was sitting outside, that maybe the stuff in the leaf eyes were bad, but it checked out... :huh: