We have a new to us 05 baja. Love it, but wow is it the rear end bouncy. Like it will bounce 2 - 3 times after a speed bump, even at 5mph. I had the rear struts replaced, now i think its worse. Just bounces all over the place, and is actually dangerous feeling at 60+ mph. Especially if on a corner when i hit a bump, the rear end feels like it will come loose from the pavement.
Normal? It was bouncy before the new suspension, and now its actually bouncier. I have had many cars. New ones, old ones. Sedans, trucks, SUVs, none no matter the age of the suspension have been as bouncy as this thing.
Bouncy rear end?
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Buck Rogers
- Scoobytruck Contributer
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:57 am
- Location: Vassalboro, Me
Re: Bouncy rear end?
No it's not normal The Bajas are usually stiff in back. You sure a reputable place replaced your struts?
Re: Bouncy rear end?
My 03 Baja has 155000 miles on the original struts. I don't have any unusual bounce from the rear end.
Re: Bouncy rear end?
Thanks. We did it at big O and they thought it is "normal". I have had too many cars old and new to know that bouncing like a waterbed 3 times after every bump isnt it.
The front is very stiff, and I expect the back to be too.
They are going to try and replace the rear struts again to see if they were just bad.
The front is very stiff, and I expect the back to be too.
They are going to try and replace the rear struts again to see if they were just bad.
Re: Bouncy rear end?
make sure that they are ordering the correct struts for your Baja! My dad ordered struts for his two years ago and it bounced all over, the culprit was that the shock they put on was way too small and light duty for the Baja.
My 2003 Baja has 140500 Miles on it with the original suspension and I do not bounce around like you are describing.
Check this website out, they have genuine Subaru Parts for pretty good prices. I pulled up the part(s) you may need too so here is the link. I hope this helps
http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_par ... artid=3544
My 2003 Baja has 140500 Miles on it with the original suspension and I do not bounce around like you are describing.
Check this website out, they have genuine Subaru Parts for pretty good prices. I pulled up the part(s) you may need too so here is the link. I hope this helps
http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_par ... artid=3544
Re: Bouncy rear end?
we tried two different sets, and both are bouncy. We did need to replace the rear trailing arm bushings. but were cracked, one was in pieces when it came off.
replacing these bushings indeed helped, but its still pretty bouncy. hit a speed bump at 8mph and the rear end may catch air.
replacing these bushings indeed helped, but its still pretty bouncy. hit a speed bump at 8mph and the rear end may catch air.
Re: Bouncy rear end?
Are they the genuine Subaru part? or from another company that claims they are the same?
Another thought that just hit me is your rear sway bar....both of my rear sway bar links broke in two days of eachother and my back end wabbled and swayed like crazy. So that could also be the culprit of the problem.
Another thought that just hit me is your rear sway bar....both of my rear sway bar links broke in two days of eachother and my back end wabbled and swayed like crazy. So that could also be the culprit of the problem.
Re: Bouncy rear end?
Not sure. The shop says there is only one kind of shock they can order, so there arent really options, and they say its OEM. But i doubt it.
The sway bar is fine so they claim.
Oddly, if i hit a really bad speed bump at 20mph, its fine. ba-dump ba-dump. No waterbed feeling. Smooth. The same bump at 5mph will bounce you out of your seat on the second wave. I really have no clue. Im out of money for suspension trial and errors at the moment. I may have to take it to a subaru dealer in the fall.
The sway bar is fine so they claim.
Oddly, if i hit a really bad speed bump at 20mph, its fine. ba-dump ba-dump. No waterbed feeling. Smooth. The same bump at 5mph will bounce you out of your seat on the second wave. I really have no clue. Im out of money for suspension trial and errors at the moment. I may have to take it to a subaru dealer in the fall.
Re: Bouncy rear end?
If the shop is ordering a part that can't handle the job, you should not be paying for a new part and labor every time it comes in. It is their mistake, and should be on their dime.
I would take it to a Subaru Shop, and have them look over it. The shock that is on it now, may say that it is them same as the OEM, but Subaru put heavy duty shocks and coil springs on the Baja. So the shock may not be as strong as stock. Do you know what brand of shock that the shop put on?
I would take it to a Subaru Shop, and have them look over it. The shock that is on it now, may say that it is them same as the OEM, but Subaru put heavy duty shocks and coil springs on the Baja. So the shock may not be as strong as stock. Do you know what brand of shock that the shop put on?