Hey guys, looks like my rear left shock is gone and my rear right is on its way out. The front is relatively new though so they are running well. However, i am looking to make my stilo as comfortable as possible so does anyone have any suggestions on some shocks for a comfy ride and maybe some soft springs. Im not too concerned with handling, probably just going to lower it a little and stiffen the chassis later on. Any ideas?

Thanks
HH

What makes you think both rear shocks have gone?

If they have gone and need replacing OEM is the way to go IMO.

Halil if it's comfort you're after, you won't get anything softer than straight replacement of the standard dampers. Anything else (sport dampers or lowering springs) will inevitably mean a firmer ride.

To determine whether your current dampers are ok you need to (1) inspect the outside of the damper for the presence of leaking fluid and (2) bounce the car on each corner. Any corner where the car does not come immediately to rest but carries on bouncing is suspect.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the replies. Well on the left side its riding alot lower than it should, it doesnt really bounce back properly if i push it down, there is a classic knocking sound when i go over any bumps. The right side isnt riding low but its developing a knock.

Thanks
HH

First thing to say is that dampers do not affect how high a car rides. Only the springs can do that - so maybe you have a broken spring on one side (not uncommon). The second thing is that dampers rarely make a noise, so your knocks are much more likely to be caused by wear in either the drop links or the lower wishbone bushes.

yep that sound like the classic spring failure, look at the bottom of the spring catcher and you may find the end of the broken spring, also look too see how many coils you can see, do they look compressed one side (normal riding side) but not the other, if thats the case get them changed now, the car isnt safe to drive imho.

Well i have been a bit of a donut. I took the car to the garage and he said the knocking was caused by the exhaust cover rusting off and knocking on the car. The suspension is actually fine, just the dampers are old and the springs are nearly rusted through, so i got him to rip that metal off and im gonna underseal the car i think. I must have thought the ride height was different because it was on a bit of a camber when i checked. On a straight road with a measuring tape, it is level.

What is this noise???

Okay guys i have posted about the knocking sound on the rear of my stilo before, but i still have not much idea what is causing it. I have quite a loud rumble (high frequency knocking) over bumpy roads and a louder thump over big bumps. This is mostly over the rear left wheel. I asked my mechanic to check out the rear suspension whilst he was doing another jobs. He said that the shocks were a bit worn, but still in working order, and that the springs were quite rusted but no problems otherwise. He did find that the piece of metal covering my muffler on the exhaust was hanging down a bit so i asked him to remove it. I got the car back and the same sounds were still there.

Any ideas on what faults could cause these problems and how i can properly identify it. I have a feeling its the bushes, but my mechanic reckoned they were fine. I am also going to replace the exhaust mounts just to be sure. But i really want to sort this as it is ruining the ride in my stilo!

Thanks
HH

Re: What is this noise???

something in your boot? spare wheel, jack etc?

Re: What is this noise???

It might be the exhaust banging against the rear axle, as the exhaust goes down on a bump, and the axle goes up. Mine did... New exhaust "hangers" did the trick. Can't remember their name.

Well im pretty sure its nothing in the boot, and i dont have my spare wheel stuff anymore. However i am going to replace exhaust mounts just incase. Although, i am 99% sure that it wont do the trick because the exhaust is pretty sturdy and the banging is too loud and carries too much through the body to be the exhaust. Is there any way a front wishbone being overdue could cause such a problem in the rear?..i have just discovered mine needs changing and will add it to the list.

Thanks
HH

Worn rear bushes can cause this can they not?