Suspension problem question

Themaggots · Post by **Themaggots** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:56 pm

It's on my 2001 Neon R/T The problem is in the rear left.

So it was super cold and when I got out of the job, I found that the tire was almost tucked in the fender. It's like there's no suspension at all. I jacked the car and the wheel won't even come down. What could be the problem? If it was only the strut, the wheel would come down when I jack the car right?

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:59 pm

It should come down when you lift the car, but if the strut is completely blown and frozen in place, it could keep the wheel from dropping.

You don't remember hitting anything on the way to work, right?

Themaggots · Post by **Themaggots** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:17 pm

I don't remember hitting anything. I'll try to go at a garage and see what they think. If the strut is blown, I'll just have to buy new struts all around. Tokico or KYB ?

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:24 pm

Coil-overs.

I haven't used either brand on a Neon, but Tokico seems to be the popular choice.

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:23 pm

Themaggots wrote:I don't remember hitting anything. I'll try to go at a garage and see what they think. If the strut is blown, I'll just have to buy new struts all around. Tokico or KYB ?

If the strut were simply blown the car would be at ride height. You have a failure of some type causing binding.

OB · Post by OB » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:07 am

I'd say a bound-up spring or lateral arms. Broken spring perch on the strut maybe? Take pics.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:03 am

If the shock blew out and moisture got in, it could have frozen compressed. Once you pull it apart it should be obvious where the problem is.

2kLX · Post by **2kLX** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:39 pm

Just happened to us
she was driving home - super cold here - hit and bump and the wheel was buried up in the wheel well - I took the RR strut out - found that the strut shaft was so badly rusted that the shaft was sticking in the strut housing and the rod would not return back out to it normal length - once in the garage and up in the air it would. 195,000 mile orig struts, cant bitch - so I threw in some Monroe Quik Strut assy - awesome - car rides great - might do the front now

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:41 pm

ewetho wrote:
Themaggots wrote:I don't remember hitting anything. I'll try to go at a garage and see what they think. If the strut is blown, I'll just have to buy new struts all around. Tokico or KYB ?
If the strut were simply blown the car would be at ride height. You have a failure of some type causing binding.

not true, came outside one night to find my rear corner sagging like crazy. Took the strut out and it was completely siezed. replaced it about 45,000km ago and no issues since. When i let it warm up i could see that the oil had leaked out of it, and probably let water in. After a few hours inside the strut was unsiezed, but softer then a pogo stick, lol.

Themaggots · Post by **Themaggots** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:06 am

I got the car in the garage and I jacked the frame up and put a heater under the wheel. Came back an hour later and the wheel was down. I need new struts or maybe a set of coilovers

2001Neon_LX · Post by **2001Neon_LX** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:35 am

Yup my left rear did this one night about a month ago then it came back up to normal height the next day, Sure enough 2 days ago both rear wheels were tucked up to he point where i couldn't get my fingers between the top of the tire and the body.