Fifteen minute, $15.00 rear suspension mod.

[SVXRide]

Mychailo,
I'll be driving my car back from Cumberland tomorrow, so I'll report in late Sunday or sometime Monday as to the ride. Granted, I'll be driving with all four race tires/rims in the back seat....
-Bill
p.s. Jesse did this mod months ago using poly "donut" washers from a Ford truck (?) I think and I don't think he's reported any problems related to it.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by mbtoloczko

One thing I'm a little worried about is that you are raising up the rear diff slightly, this may have an effect on the driveshaft angles enough to cause some vibration at higher speeds. I was thinking it would be better to shim the top and bottom rather than just the bottom.

We ran out of cokes in the house, so I took the opportunity to take my car for a drive in the ongoing thunderstorm. I took her up to 75mph and didn't notice any unusual vibrations or resonance. There is definitely a lot less play in the driveline when I back off the gas and get back on it again. I also 'feel' a few more bumps in the road but it's nothing severe or unbearable. All in all, it's a great mod anyone can do in their driveway!

-Chike

P.S. I don't think the position of the rear diff in relation to the transmission will change much from this mod. The metal surrounding the rubber bushing in the rear crossmember, will prevent the crossmember from being raised higher than a certain pre-set point. Even though I was able to get the nuts to the same location they were in before installing the shims, I don't think I relocated the rear crossmember by a 1/4" higher, just took out a lot of play!

[TomsSVX]

when I make my shims, I will shim both top and bottom

Tom

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by tomssvx

when I make my shims, I will shim both top and bottom

Tom

As you're using a harder material (hockey puck) than Tom and I used, it will be more difficult to compress and may actually relocate your rear crossmember more. I also think using two 1/4" shims (1/2" combined) will be too much - I don't think you'll be able to get the nut back on (if you plan on keeping the stoppers). Two 1/8" shims would be much better...

-Chike

[TomsSVX]

I am gonna go with the 1/4" first an if that doesn't work... ill try something else

Tom

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by tomssvx

I am gonna go with the 1/4" first an if that doesn't work... ill try something else

Tom

Good, easy mod Tom.
It won't change the height of the diff, as the washer is still tightened up to the subframe. The packing just squezzing up the soft fingers of rubber, to make it harder.
Good one.
Harvey.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by oab_au

Good, easy mod Tom.
It won't change the height of the diff, as the washer is still tightened up to the subframe. The packing just squezzing up the soft fingers of rubber, to make it harder.
Good one.
Harvey.

My thoughts exactly Harv...

-Chike

[Chiketkd]

...with a good portion of it spent on the interstate driving at 80-90mph+. There's definitely no weird vibrations from the driveshaft at these higher speeds and my car cruised effortlessly with traffic. I still noticed significantly less play in the drivetrain than before, but it's far from perfect. I imagine the soft transmission and engine mounts are partially to blame...

-Chike

[TomsSVX]

well I may just do this instead of the hockey pucks, I cannot find them anywhere!!!!! So I gotta find these little bad boys at my local parts store

Tom

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by tomssvx

well I may just do this instead of the hockey pucks, I cannot find them anywhere!!!!! So I gotta find these little bad boys at my local parts store

Tom

Tom,

Let me know if you're able to find them at the parts store. If not, I'd be happy to pick you up a set and mail them to you.

-Chike

[Subafreak]

Originally Posted by tomssvx

well I may just do this instead of the hockey pucks, I cannot find them anywhere!!!!! So I gotta find these little bad boys at my local parts store

Tom

Good call, I'm sure they work just as well as a harder material but with much less chance of cutting a finger off making them.

[TomsSVX]

I am prone to breaking tools, not myself, this was an isolated incident

Tom

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by tomssvx

I am prone to breaking tools, not myself, this was an isolated incident

Tom

Were you able to find the steering coupling discs Tom?

-Chike

Well I gave it a try today, but couldnt get the bolts out. Stupid Pittsburgh car.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

Well I gave it a try today, but couldnt get the bolts out. Stupid Pittsburgh car.

PB Blaster overnight and a breaker bar outta do it!

I was actually pleasantly surpised mine came off so easily. Winters in VA aren't too bad, but they do salt and treat the roads with chemicals quite a bit.

-Chike