The sway ba
r links were pretty worn, and they're less than $20/each, so I decided to renew them. The clunking sound isn't due to the links but they needed to be renewed anyway
The clunking sound is either caused by the hydropneumatic shocks or the accumulator air cells (a.k.a "spheres"). The "test" for working spheres is to press down the rear suspension when the car is running and if the spheres are good, the suspension should go down gently about 1-1/2" and then slowly come back up. If the spheres are worn out the suspension should be stiff and bouncy - not allowing you to press the suspension down more than 1/2".
From what I can deduce from the test is that my spheres are good, but I still doubt the accuracy of it all. I took the car to Young Street Garage to get it diagnosed, and they said it was the shocks themselves. I really doubt this as the car only has 60k miles on it and these SLS rams are not known to be problematic if they're not leaking. And mine are not leaking.
I guess I'll just have to wait till I have enough money to decide whether to renew the air cells (about $200/each) and hope it solves the problem or just gut the entire SLS out and fit conventional shocks and springs. Considering the SLS maintenance schedule (flush every 30k miles, renew accumulators every 60k miles), I'm leaning towards gutting the SLS and installing some good Bilstein shocks and H&R springs all round.
you have admitted a paradox! you claim you wanted the car original (eg doing away with north american spec headlights and bumpers) yet want to eliminate the SLS!!!
ReplyDeletekeep it original! and pay the price! there is a reason these cars cost sooo much
These cars are worth nothing. And that is the true paradox.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate working SLS. But if you recall, the two biggest complaints that journalists had when the car was first launched was the excessive road noise and the wallowing suspension. Gutting the stock SLS and switching to H&R spring and Bilstein shocks would be an upgrade!