[lurker]

Originally Posted by blackasta

Got a major suspension overhaul done for my i10 last weekend.

How is the driving experience after all these changes. I am asking this questions because 84K run machine can lose stiffness in it's frame and would changing shocks help retain original ride quality.

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by lurker

How is the driving experience after all these changes. I am asking this questions because 84K run machine can lose stiffness in it's frame and would changing shocks help retain original ride quality.

That bone jarring experience at every hump or at every pothole is gone. Smaller potholes do not register on the backside.
Most importantly, that horrendous 'kyaanch' noise from the rear suspensions with even a single backseat passenger in gently undulating roads is gone.
Feel like I was driving without any suspension for the past couple of years.

[lurker]

then whatever you have done is value for money. Most irritating aspect of driving can be sounds and creaks from suspension. This is more acutely felt on monocoque chassis than rigid frame. Another point I have lately understood about monocoque suspensions is that that the jack point is extremely critical. Unless we jack the car at the exact jack point which may be like a 3 x 3 box in four corners, we run the risk of going into the floor.

Never faced this issue with rigid frame SUV's. Simply shove the jack underneath the axle and raise it.

[Chinaski]

Hi Tbhp,

I've inherited a Optra Magnum TCDi from a family member who's moved overseas. I'm not a big car guy (I commute to work everyday on an MTB), but seeing as this car is an absolute monster and a sheer pleasure to drive, I do want to spruce it up a bit. The car has over 85,000 kms on it, although for the last two years it hasn't been used much.

I'm not from Bombay, and don't know much about different repair vendors here. Based on the recommendations on this forum, I've got the wheel alignment done from Trevor in Santacruz (W) (very satisfied) and the service from SK Karzone in Nerul (also satisfied). The service manager at SK Karzone told me I need to go in for a suspension overhaul; my question is if there's a suspension specialist I should go to, or just get it done from SK Karzone?

Also, with Chevrolet having discontinued its retail operations in India, I'm a little iffy about spending a lot of money on the car. I've put in a pair of new tyres (4 Yamaha S-drives at Rs. 21,000), and ideally, I'd want to get denting and paint retouch along with the suspension work. But, I'm not sure how reasonable it is to spend so much on a car with minimal re-sale value. Having said that though, I will not be selling this car anytime soon, because it's a lot of fun to drive.

[mayankk]

I am planning to get a suspension overhaul on my Tucson. Though all four shocks have been changed, as well as some ancillary metal parts in the time that I have owned her, nothing in its entirety.
Now, I have read up a few reviews of the tucson, and mostly they used to say that its a very comfortable and quiet ride.
Ideally, since I will be replacing most of the suspension related parts, I ought to get a close-to-factory ride?
As things stand, a lot of the road is figuratively in the car saying hello. All bumps, holes translate into a thud. Its not really uncomfortable, but definitely more than my 3 year old grand i10.
What all would have to be changed in order to get more comfortable?
My previous mechanic, I am not so confident that he maintained the car as well as he said he was, an I thinking of trying out a new guy who has very good reviews. So far.

[emkay.india]

Hello guys,

My 2008 Swift Vxi (58k odo) is having suspension issues in front. The front wheels jump over speed breakers and I can feel the car is not quite stable at speeds >80 as it was before. I can feel some wobbling kind of movement which makes me slow down. I was abroad for 2 years and the car was very sparingly used by dad. Though my area was not affected by the Dec 2015 floods and Vardha storm, the car was parked in the street and fully exposed to the rains.

Upon my last service, I was adviced that the sub-frame has some rust in it which is causing the suspension issues. I was suggested to replace it costing around 9k.

My question is, is it normal/fine to replace the sub-frame and if the quoted price is correct. I was also adviced to replace the clutch plates costing around 8k. I'm guessing this is ok as this is the first time I would be doing any work in clutch in the car's life.

And the final question is related to ac compressor. When I complained about car noise being on the higher side, I was told that it was due to compressor issues. They suggested an overhaul costing 20+k and replacement was quoted at 32+k Any suggestions on this are welcome.

Thanks.

PS. All the above quotes are from ABT Arumbakkam.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by emkay.india

My 2008 Swift Vxi (58k odo) is having suspension issues in front. The front wheels jump over speed breakers and I can feel the car is not quite stable at speeds >80 as it was before.

How old are the tyres and how many kilometers they have done. If they were exposed to elements for long, rubber can get hard. How is the condition of other rubber bushes and strut? Do check this first. Also reconfirm the air pressure.

Upon my last service, I was adviced that the sub-frame has some rust in it which is causing the suspension issues. I was suggested to replace it costing around 9k.

If you have alignment issue / uneven tyre wear etc, yes. But otherwise subframe is just a frame to which components are attached and should not cause a choppy ride.

My question is, is it normal/fine to replace the sub-frame and if the quoted price is correct. I was also adviced to replace the clutch plates costing around 8k. I'm guessing this is ok as this is the first time I would be doing any work in clutch in the car's life.

Is there an issue with the clutch? Sounds like the workshop is pushing you for lot of unwanted work otherwise.

And the final question is related to ac compressor. When I complained about car noise being on the higher side, I was told that it was due to compressor issues. They suggested an overhaul costing 20+k and replacement was quoted at 32+k Any suggestions on this are welcome.

If it is a whine or hum while revving the engine, can be the reason.

PS. All the above quotes are from ABT Arumbakkam.

Good to take a second opinion from another dealer or a independent garage the chennai folks recommend.

[emkay.india]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

How old are the tyres and how many kilometers they have done. If they were exposed to elements for long, rubber can get hard. How is the condition of other rubber bushes and strut? Do check this first. Also reconfirm the air pressure.

The stock tyres were replaced with Michellin XM1+ in 2014 at around 45k in odo. And as I said from 2015 till 2017, the car was used hardly for 3k kms.

Originally Posted by Jaggu

If you have alignment issue / uneven tyre wear etc, yes. But otherwise subframe is just a frame to which components are attached and should not cause a choppy ride.

They said the subframe is holding the suspension rods and as it's rusted, the suspension is making noise.

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Is there an issue with the clutch? Sounds like the workshop is pushing you for lot of unwanted work otherwise.

That's definitely yes, I get a lot of juddering in 1st gear itself. And earlier I used to sometimes ride the clutch and start from 2nd gear in b2b traffic. Now it's become almost impossible to do.

Originally Posted by Jaggu

If it is a whine or hum while revving the engine, can be the reason.

The engine sounds kind of harsh and it increases when AC is turned on.

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Good to take a second opinion from another dealer or a independent garage the chennai folks recommend.

Any recommendations?

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by emkay.india

The stock tyres were replaced with Michellin XM1+ in 2014 at around 45k in odo. And as I said from 2015 till 2017, the car was used hardly for 3k kms.

Borderline, just let it run for few 100 kms and see if it improves.

They said the subframe is holding the suspension rods and as it's rusted, the suspension is making noise.

Is it the lower arm mounting point? Usually a clean up and lubing should help in this. Difficult to comment without seeing some pictures.

The engine sounds kind of harsh and it increases when AC is turned on.

This can be the compressor clutch, see if it that can be repaired.

Any recommendations?

@Chennai BHP'ians can help?

[//HB]

Hello everyone, Need some advice on front suspension issues for my Honda City ZX.
Though the ride quality doesn’t seem bad (e.g. no undue softness or jumping after bumps, no wandering etc) but I felt the need to have the front suspension looked at due to:
(a) a dull thud sound from the front right every time I go through a small pothole, or the same sound repeatedly, when going over a bad patch of road, and
(b) some rattling kind of sound when going over rough patches of road
Although I’m not a technical person, but to me (a) sounds like a bad / broken shock absorber mount, and (b) sounds like balancing rod bushes gone bad.
On a test drive the mechanic mentioned that (b) does sound like balancing rod bushes, but he also mentioned that to change these, you have to entirely take down the front suspension subframe. Is that so ?
Any advice on the above would help. Thanks in advance.

[Mr.Boss]

Other source of noise could be the link rods.

Originally Posted by //HB

does sound like balancing rod bushes, but he also mentioned that to change these, you have to entirely take down the front suspension subframe. Is that so?

Yes, entire suspension sub frame to be taken down to access / remove and fix the stabilizer bar bushes.

[OSH]

Originally Posted by //HB

Need some advice on front suspension issues for my Honda City ZX

Some more info would have been nice; age of the car, kms run, past service history of the suspension etc.

a dull thud sound from the front right every time I go through a small pothole, or the same sound repeatedly, when going over a bad patch of road

You should also check the steering rack for such noise. This generation was known to have rack problems in it's later life.

some rattling kind of sound when going over rough patches of road

If your mechanic is sure that it's the balancing rod bush then you might as well change the entire assembly, you will anyway pay for labour so does not make sense to change only the bushes. At the same time check the stabilizer link rods and tie rods as well.

[//HB]

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

Other source of noise could be the link rods.

Thanks, yes once it's down anyway all the bits will be checked and replaced as required.

Originally Posted by OSH

Some more info would have been nice; age of the car, kms run, past service history of the suspension etc.


You should also check the steering rack for such noise. This generation was known to have rack problems in it's later life.


If your mechanic is sure that it's the balancing rod bush then you might as well change the entire assembly, you will anyway pay for labour so does not make sense to change only the bushes. At the same time check the stabilizer link rods and tie rods as well.

I should have added the info, missed but here it is now.
It's a pre-owned 2007 City ZX gxi with a little over 58K kms.

If it turns out to be the rack, then it could account for a substantial hit on the wallet, I'm hoping it isn't so.

I'm quoted a labour of Rs. 3,500/-, parts obviously will be extra as required. Any opinions if that seems like a fair labour cost quote ?

[OSH]

Originally Posted by //HB

It's a pre-owned 2007 City ZX gxi with a little over 58K kms.

I have the same year's City, the Vtec variant and did a suspension overhaul at a shade over 100000 kms. So on comparing, 58000 kms seem to early for suspension related problems, please ensure that the mechanic is not doing a trial and error diagnostics. Any suspension part or the rack will go bad so early only if there is some sort of impact/hit so just have a look while the car is on the ramp.

If it turns out to be the rack, then it could account for a substantial hit on the wallet, I'm hoping it isn't so.

A new steering rack at the dealership will set you back by around 65k, so if at all it's the rack you are better of repairing it at a FNG instead. From what I have found, the steering rack noise does not affect the steering in any way, it's just some fibre bushes inside the rack that wear out creating that kar kar noise on turning and rattles on bumpy roads. I am also told that repairing may not take away 100% of the noise. A repair would cost you about 15k.

I'm quoted a labour of Rs. 3,500/-, parts obviously will be extra as required. Any opinions if that seems like a fair labour cost quote ?

If it's a FNG then 3500 seems a bit steep but it also depends on the expertise and facility that he has. I am not that technically sound to know how many hours will go into such jobs so maybe someone else can answer this bit.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by //HB

I'm quoted a labour of Rs. 3,500/-, parts obviously will be extra as required. Any opinions if that seems like a fair labour cost quote ?

By Honda standard it is a fair price, when compared with other OEs and FNG it is 30~50% on the higher side.

If the job is only changing the stabilizer bar bush, taking down the suspension member and replacing the part + wheel alignment should consume less than 3 hours with proper tools and skill. 3.5k for a 3 hour job is for a C-segment car