Rear Shock failure issue and TSB & Warranty Repair

[KuroNekko]

Thanks Again everyone

Have the new bump stopper number/did google search , left message(unanswered so far) to an OEM site kuro recommended in TX - have to try to get them on the phone

Has anyone in USA sourced these themselves yet?. And where?- (I did look at thread and couldn't nail it down)

I also will call the dealer in Rhode Island who does warranty work.

I'm used to it, the car feels pretty good, but I'm pretty sure that my front struts are on their way out also.

That place in TX no longer deals with Suzuki parts, it appears. I would say go elsewhere. Maybe even hit up the local Suzuki authorized service center and see if they can get their hands on them for you. It only took my local dealer a day to get them in stock when I had them replaced under warranty.

I'm used to it, the car feels pretty good, but I'm pretty sure that my front struts are on their way out also.

If you don't mind me asking, what symptoms are you experiencing that are leading you to believe that the front struts are going? What about the rear shocks? Any squeaks, creaks, rattles, or changes in ride quality that you noticed?

I'm trying to figure out if I'm experiencing the symptoms of failing suspension components myself...so far I think I have a creak coming from the rear, but I'm not 100% certain that it's the shock.

I've had the rear struts go out on two of my cars including the Kizashi. Symptoms are the same: You will hear a creaking noise when going over imperfect roads. Speed bumps are great to test for the noise. The noise will sound like it's coming from higher up in the chassis instead of lower.
When testing, make sure there is no loose clutter in the trunk that could also make noise. I also recommend having the rear seats folded down so you can hear trunk noises better as the rear struts are mounted near there.
Driving over speed bumps or potholes slowly will cause a failed rear strut to creak.

You can also check for strut oil leaks. On a dry day, look at the rear struts and look for any oil residue or dirt caked on because of oil. Look under the bump stopper's piston rod cover. It's rather hard to see with the wheel on, however.

[NJdriver]

2011 SLS 72,000 miles, needs new rear shocks - My mechanic could not find them with any of his usual sources - Just ordered a pair from RockAuto - thank you board members
OEM tires (Dunlop) = 18,000 miles
Goodyear Eagle GT = 54,000 miles
No longer making Goodyear eagle gt
Continential Extreme contact = less then 30 miles

Note - i drove those Goodyears through several nasty new england storms this winter and they handled phenomenally.

God i love this car.

2011 Yukon Denali
2004 Dodge Ram 2500
2003 Jeep Liberty
2012 Honda Civic

[gmkizashi]

I'm used to it, the car feels pretty good, but I'm pretty sure that my front struts are on their way out also.

If you don't mind me asking, what symptoms are you experiencing that are leading you to believe that the front struts are going? What about the rear shocks? Any squeaks, creaks, rattles, or changes in ride quality that you noticed?

I'm trying to figure out if I'm experiencing the symptoms of failing suspension components myself...so far I think I have a creak coming from the rear, but I'm not 100% certain that it's the shock.

kuro stated the creaking/noise issue and looking for residue on the shock,strut from the shock blowing out. I think those indicators coupled with an inspection are the best way to diagnose. I think this is usually part of what the dealer does when the vehicle goes in for service. However, I am not sure if the shocks are gas filled if that makes it more difficult to diagnose (if no fluid leaks out)

I myself am pretty oblivious to the noise aspect, but outside of that , proper inspection and the residue , my assumptions on the front struts are more "seat of the pants" oriented. I can feel the "lack" of dampening over road irregularities that shouldn't be as severe or jarring as they are. An example would be expansion joints and shallow pot holes.

Now if you go over a speed bump fast, or a deep pot hole, even with good dampening, you would still feel a jarring in the seat of your pants.

These are pretty tight cars to begin with and some like the sls and gts sport (which I do not have)are lower and I think the suspension is also a bit stiffer. I also feel that tire condition, pressures etcetera can also affect how the car feels, never-mind someone like myself who gets used to how it feels and is slightly oblivious.

[~tc~]

Continential Extreme contact = less then 30 miles

Why is that?

[n8dogg]

Continential Extreme contact = less then 30 miles

Why is that?

I think they're his newest set, just got them...

[NJdriver]

Yes, correct just had them installed last week. Will be putting about 1,000 miles on them over the next several days from NJ to Vt - weather forcast is for rain, snow, sleet, and will be driving on class four roads as well.

I'll let you all know how they handle at hair raising speeds

[~tc~]

Mine have been fantastic in rain

[SamirD]

I'll post these in the next few weeks when I have time to breathe again.

I got a chance to breathe.

[KuroNekko]

That's awesome that you got the faulty parts back. You can clearly see that the old bump stoppers don't have the grooves which are supposed to be the fix in addition to a change in inner diameter.

[SamirD]

That's awesome that you got the faulty parts back. You can clearly see that the old bump stoppers don't have the grooves which are supposed to be the fix in addition to a change in inner diameter.

I didn't get them back, but told Steve I'd like to take some pictures of the damage, so he let me spend some time with them.

The bump stops are really simple to change. It took them 20 mins to hand me the parts. I'm sure a lot of that is experience, but it wouldn't take a whole day if you had to do them yourself.