TeeJay3800 Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Anyone know why my rear suspension totally freezes up in cold weather? It happens when the temp dips into the mid teens for a few days. Right now for example, the entire rear end is much lower then it usually is with the driver side almost completely bottomed out! Talk about a ROUGH ride. The ride gets so bad sometimes the seat belts lock up. Anyone else having this problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supreme_style21 Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Yep! I think every w-body I've owned has been like this. I know right now, its been hovering around zero degrees and below lately. The car rides (and sounds) like its riding on four broken tree limbs. Every bump is very audible and the ride quality is mediocre at best. Basically, like you said, it feels like the struts have froze up solid. I've seen a couple other posts about this, and everyone has just chalked it up to cold weather. I just drive it.. not too much else one can do to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay3800 Posted January 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 ...the ride quality is mediocre at best. Basically, like you said, it feels like the struts have froze up solid. Its even worse than that. I can stand on the bumper and try to bounce the rear end. It doesn't move an inch. The only thing that gives are the tires. I actually have a sore neck from driving the damn thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gp90se Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 My nissan used 2 do that when it go below 20 outside, ended up doin all kinds of damage to my tires, might wanna change the shocks/struts before that happens. -Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluegp Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Anyone know why my rear suspension totally freezes up in cold weather? When I got new rear struts put on my '89 a couple years ago, the mechanic told me it happens when moisture gets in the struts and causes the oil to foam and this freezes. When the weather gets warm, they thaw out and the car rides better. Sounds right, but I don't know for sure. I haven't driven my '89 for about 3 weeks now (since the temps have plummeted), but IIRC, it didn't freeze up anymore after the new struts were put on. Anyone else having this problem? Yes, the '89 before with the original struts and the '96 now that still has the original ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Ahhhhhh, the power of FE1 suspnsion. Sofffffft. Actually mine gets stiffer also. The previous set of rear struts did freeze totally, at least one did. Real bumpy. Luckily I was able to park it inside at work and thaw it out. Maybe take it to a do it yourself car wash that isn't busy and waste alot of time cleaning it and spray out the wheelwells good. Sit in there and read a book when you're done. Get it nice and melted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay3800 Posted January 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2004 I'm sure thawing them out would fix the problem. Its interesting that not only are they frozen stiff, they are both almost bottomed out. Tomorrow I'll try parking them in the garage or sraying them with warm water at a car wash. It may fix the problem, but it will only be temporary as I'm sure they will re-freeze again. Damn this cold, typical-Michigan weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl3196 Posted January 29, 2004 Report Share Posted January 29, 2004 Mine did that a couple weeks ago, holy fuck was that a shitty ride! As soon as it warmed up outside the suspension went back up. Just needed to thaw out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted January 29, 2004 Report Share Posted January 29, 2004 my car is doing that same thing. if i try and move the rear up or down it won't go either way. it feels like i'm driveing a shoping cart. sometimes its so bad that it gives me a headache, can't be good for my tires either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8_ Posted January 30, 2004 Report Share Posted January 30, 2004 Mine is doing the same, but the struts were reeeeeally creeky before, so it's nice to have a quiet ride although it is a bit bumpy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no1kicker Posted January 30, 2004 Report Share Posted January 30, 2004 I think I may have the same problem. There's all kind of clunks coming from the rear end, and it's sagging bad. Every bump my car bounces a couple times enough to get someone seasick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted January 31, 2004 Report Share Posted January 31, 2004 i had my car in a heated garage the other night, by morning the rear would move again, it does feel like its getting slugish again, hopefully it won't freeze on me tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no1kicker Posted January 31, 2004 Report Share Posted January 31, 2004 My struts unfroze while I was driving today...weird. Hate winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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