Hi all,
getting some weird pops and rattles on the front suspension all of a sudden. I already found a failing tie-rod end (passenger side), but there's clearly more crunch and thunk from the drivers side as well.

Upon inspection, I noticed that the stock coilover lower attachment is pretty rusted on both sides and looked like it was starting to split. So even if it's not the noise I was looking for, they need to be replaced.

2003, 130k miles out of the stock ones isn't bad, though.

Any recommendations for a stock-like ride and height? Seem to be a lot of options. I still drive it like a race car, but no track or autocross stuff.

Thanks.

 

Tein Suspension is a cheaper option with decent ride, that's popular. I had them on my civic and it rode nice on the street.

 

Bilstein still produces replacement struts if you like the stock suspension. You can get all four for less than a grand. They also make very affordable coilovers.

 

If you liked the stock height and stuff, I would jut get the Bilstein stock replacements as rustykan said.

If you are looking for an upgrade, I went with Ohlin R&Ts I got on sale. They are amazing but certainly not the budget option. I have also rode in a few evos with Fortune Autos and those seemed to ride pretty well too.

 

Chances are the top mounts on the stock suspension are shot, so weigh your options with coilovers with the fact that you're probably going to wanna refresh the strut mount components as well.

 

Hi all,
I went with the BC Racing coilovers from Extreme PSI (they haven't let me down in the past) and they got me the replacements in one day. I like that they can be stock ride height. I also was only looking at coilovers. For a few hundred more to not deal with spring compressors (and the fact that the top part of my stock srpings might have a problem as well), it just seemed like it would be easier. The Bilsteins that sites had in stock were at least 1" lowered at max height, but I did look for them. A few other brands were similarly priced, but 3 week lead times ("made custom" all the websites said). People said the BC ones can be pretty close to stock ride when adjusted.

But see attached pic. Once I inspected the damage was worse than I thought. I was probably one good pothole away from a really bad day (and I don't think that was what was causing the noise).

I have everything prepped and will install tomorrow. Thanks for the help all.

 

KW V3 are the BEST coils you can put on an EVO IMO, it will ride like a brand new porsche