Huge bang over big bumps

[Thor142]

I think some of us are describing different things here. It's definitely jarring and loud to hit a really big bump or deep pothole at any kind of higher speeds. It shouldn't sound like something is broken or making metal on metal contact though.

[Billy10mm]

Originally Posted by 67goatman455

My brand new 2015 even did it on the test drive. We all bought performance track cars. Either stick a tampon in or go buy an SS haha

Clearly you haven't driven real track cars before. The problem is a lack of rebound dampening that allows the shock to top-out violently. Hard enough that I often have to check if the windshield has cracked. Given where I live, this happens half a dozen times per day and makes it feel like the car is falling apart. This isn't about stiffness, or jarring, or even harshness over bumps. This is the front springs having little to no resistance in extending the shocks when they fall off a "ledge" of any kind and the topping-out forces working their way up through the shock to the mount.

The only person who treats that as, "it aint nothing, go put a tampon in" is a moron who's destined to leave this world shortly after yelling, "hey boys, watch this."

[JusticePete]

There is more rebound and compression in the 1LE than the SS. It is a much more aggressive damping map. The springs are the same, so this should not be a common issue.

[2015_1LE_soon]

Originally Posted by guerrillakilla13

No it's completely normal. I avoid bumps even if they look small. Just yesterday I hit a small wash in a small intersection faster than I should have and bang went the bottom of the car. I nearly cursed out the neighborhood I was in lol.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M READING! I though I was the only one. I took my car to dealer, they though I was nuts.... Dealer couldn't duplicate. I was so pissed!!!

I kept taking it in, and eventually went for a drive with the srv manager.

Just last week, they agreed that they could see inconsistencies from one side to the other, so they changed the right front shock/strut, AND IT'S PERFECT NOW!!!!! I'M SOOO HAPPY!!!!

BTW, to someone who hasn't experienced this, it sounded like my suspension was about t literally fall apart.

[2015_1LE_soon]

Originally Posted by Billy10mm

Clearly you haven't driven real track cars before. The problem is a lack of rebound dampening that allows the shock to top-out violently. Hard enough that I often have to check if the windshield has cracked. Given where I live, this happens half a dozen times per day and makes it feel like the car is falling apart. This isn't about stiffness, or jarring, or even harshness over bumps. This is the front springs having little to no resistance in extending the shocks when they fall off a "ledge" of any kind and the topping-out forces working their way up through the shock to the mount.

The only person who treats that as, "it aint nothing, go put a tampon in" is a moron who's destined to leave this world shortly after yelling, "hey boys, watch this."

My 1le had the EXACT SAME ISSUE!!! I was going CRAZYYY. It's 100% the strut. I'm gonna show my server manager these thread because they thought I was crazy!!

In your case, it's a faulty strut. TAKE IT IN, AND KEEP PRESSING THE DEALER TO CHANGE IT. I can send you my work order to proove that I had the same issue, and now, it's 100% PERFECT.

[2015_1LE_soon]

Originally Posted by crimsongtp

Most of the roads around me are fairly smooth but there are a few places with a couple of decent bumps. Since I've had the car (sept of last year) I have hit 3 different bumps (imagine transition to bridge that is kinda sharp) and I get a huge bang from the front almost like suspension is bottoming out or something. Jars my ****ing teeth. Car is bone stock. Is this normal or wtf?

My friend - take it in. I went to the dealer (I'm not exaggerating) FIVE TIMES regarding this issue, and they kept dismissing it. They said that they could not duplicate. I wanted to burn the car because I love it so much, and I CRINGED every single time I hit a 'certain type' of bump. I had to take the service guy out to where I lived (About 20 minutes from the dealer) jsut to let him hear/feel the sound.

As soon as I heard him say that he can hear 'body flex', I knew that they now know that it's not just in my head.

They changed the strut, and I'm telling you guys it's 100% perfect now.

So, TAKE IT IN PLEASE! IT'S NOT NORMAL, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS!

[2015_1LE_soon]

Originally Posted by terry_b

Is there a bulletin or something regarding this? Mine does this, but only in very sudden transitions that cause the wheel to drop out from under the car quickly. I assumed it's just the limit of the shock travel and the upper shock cap is hitting the mount. I can tell because the rubber ring is leaving a telltale black mark on the shock tower.

It's done this since I've owned it and I generally just avoid the bumps I know will be an issue. If there's a warranty claim here, I definitely want it fixed, but I would like to know how to reliably get the dealership to address the issue

Your last statement resonates with me. I didn't want to take it to the dealer, and have them attack every deep pothole until my windshield shattered.

The best way to avoid this from happening is drive around the dealer until you hit a bump that causes the strut to make that popping sound or bottom-out feeling, and make note of where that is (right lane, left lane, etc...). Then press the service guys to come with you, so that they don't just go searching for something to break the car.

I'll send in a screenshot of my service order in case anyone thinks that it may help them get the work done.

Also, I told the dealer (before we went out for the drive) that I'll even pay to have the strut just changed out to check and see if that solves the problem. They chuckled, and we went on the drive. THey still tried to tell me that there's no issue, but SCREW THEM. They didn't pay for the car, and they get paid to fix problems, SO DON'T LET THE DEALER CONVINCE YOU THAT IT'S NORMAL. It's not normal, and GOD only knows the damage that our wheel bearings and ball joints etc are taking.

TAKE THE CAR IN, AND GET IT DONE!

I'm typing in capital letters on these posts because I'm so upset that this is not a recognized problem, especially when we've ordered a vehicle that is known for it's suspension.

Good luck, guys. DON'T TAKE 'There's no problem with the suspension, sir.' FOR AN ANSWER!

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by 2015_1LE_soon

I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M READING! I though I was the only one. I took my car to dealer, they though I was nuts.... Dealer couldn't duplicate. I was so pissed!!!

I kept taking it in, and eventually went for a drive with the srv manager.

Just last week, they agreed that they could see inconsistencies from one side to the other, so they changed the right front shock/strut, AND IT'S PERFECT NOW!!!!! I'M SOOO HAPPY!!!!

BTW, to someone who hasn't experienced this, it sounded like my suspension was about t literally fall apart.

Originally Posted by JusticePete

There is more rebound and compression in the 1LE than the SS. It is a much more aggressive damping map. The springs are the same, so this should not be a common issue.

Yep.

[Iroc Drew]

Originally Posted by 2015_1LE_soon

My friend - take it in. I went to the dealer (I'm not exaggerating) FIVE TIMES regarding this issue, and they kept dismissing it. They said that they could not duplicate. I wanted to burn the car because I love it so much, and I CRINGED every single time I hit a 'certain type' of bump. I had to take the service guy out to where I lived (About 20 minutes from the dealer) jsut to let him hear/feel the sound.

As soon as I heard him say that he can hear 'body flex', I knew that they now know that it's not just in my head.

They changed the strut, and I'm telling you guys it's 100% perfect now.

So, TAKE IT IN PLEASE! IT'S NOT NORMAL, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS!

[QUOTE=2015_1LE_soon;9200490]Your last statement resonates with me. I didn't want to take it to the dealer, and have them attack every deep pothole until my windshield shattered.

The best way to avoid this from happening is drive around the dealer until you hit a bump that causes the strut to make that popping sound or bottom-out feeling, and make note of where that is (right lane, left lane, etc...). Then press the service guys to come with you, so that they don't just go searching for something to break the car.

I'll send in a screenshot of my service order in case anyone thinks that it may help them get the work done.

Also, I told the dealer (before we went out for the drive) that I'll even pay to have the strut just changed out to check and see if that solves the problem. They chuckled, and we went on the drive. THey still tried to tell me that there's no issue, but SCREW THEM. They didn't pay for the car, and they get paid to fix problems, SO DON'T LET THE DEALER CONVINCE YOU THAT IT'S NORMAL. It's not normal, and GOD only knows the damage that our wheel bearings and ball joints etc are taking.

TAKE THE CAR IN, AND GET IT DONE!

I'm typing in capital letters on these posts because I'm so upset that this is not a recognized problem, especially when we've ordered a vehicle that is known for it's suspension.

Good luck, guys. DON'T TAKE 'There's no problem with the suspension, sir.' FOR AN ANSWER![/



Can you send me a screen shot of the service order? Thanks.

[FloridaBill]

I get the same thing if I hit a speed bump the wrong way... Sounds like the world is coming to an end.

[Scotty D2014]

I have the same thing happening !!! It drives me crazy! So much that when I do drop springs next month.. I'm also changing out the front struts !!!

[JusticePete]

Be careful with sounds. Not everyone in this thread has a bad strut. I have lost count of how many 5th Gen suspensions I have had apart and seen two, three bad struts at the most.

[markgws6]

I've had this happen (mostly at highway speeds) and I just assumed it was caused by the type of bump. I've also noticed that over time, the nose of my car now stoops more under hard braking than when the car was newer. but it does still handle well.

Isn't there another way other than hitting a particular bump and listening for the sound to identify a bad strut on our car? It's not like there is much travel to push down and let go and see if it bounces like on older cars...

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by markgws6

I've had this happen (mostly at highway speeds) and I just assumed it was caused by the type of bump. I've also noticed that over time, the nose of my car now stoops more under hard braking than when the car was newer. but it does still handle well.

Isn't there another way other than hitting a particular bump and listening for the sound to identify a bad strut on our car? It's not like there is much travel to push down and let go and see if it bounces like on older cars...

Take it apart and see if it grows after it is compressed and how fast.