Hello Daniel,
I'd like to thank you for a very detailed report of your experiences. This helps us better understand the situation on the Stinger platforms.
Your assumption on the strut assembled metal on metal is correct. You are actually also not the first Stinger owner that has resulted in this issue, this goes for the
G70 as well. The structural integrity of that OEM mount is actually very weak. The cracked "lip" on the mount is actually the only amount of material that withstands impact upon full compression. This also brings us to understanding that the vehicle should not be hitting the bump stop in such a very harsh manner, therefore, much more preload needs to be adjusted onto the assembly. I believe speaking to a technician over at House of Dubs and it was quite concerning having to walk them through rear spring preload adjustments.
Your assumption on the strut assembled metal on metal is correct.
I recommend making re-adjustments to provide sufficient shock travel. It sounds like the initial installer did not do a great job in ensuring you had enough compression travel for harsh driving conditions. Vehicles like yours designed with the divorced spring and shock combination can actually be very tricky to set up. The front would only require 5-10mm preload adjustment increments to insure proper shock compression travel. Whereas the rear does need much more than a 5-10mm of compression. We also notice many installers setting the spring to become snug while fitted to the vehicle. Since you have a spare shock available, I'd like you to measure the shock stroke from the base all the way up to the bump stop. Now, I'd like you to measure the amount of rear suspension droop your vehicle has while you lift up the rear of the vehicle ( I advise lifting both rear wheels to ensure there is no sway bar tension when recording each corner ). You should now see how much droop travel you're utilizing on the shock and note how much actual shock compression travel you have when coming into contact with large road imperfections. As a fellow track enthusiast, learning this information of your vehicle can also help you improve fine tuning your vehicle at the track as well. For example, if you find you are cornering and relying on the rear bump-stop, you will then overload your tires from achieving optimal grip. Of course this is just something I'd like to add when making rear preload adjustments.
Remember that height adjustments are made from the spring itself, while spring preload is adjusted from the shock overall length. For example, If you'd like to add 1in of shock compression travel, you will then shorten the shock assembly by 1in and vice versa if you do not have any suspension droop at all.
Please let me know if this information helps with your findings. I will do my best in assisting you in this matter.
Thank you,
Riaction Staff
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Once I get one of the 3 mounts I ordered, I will attempt to re-install AGAIN, and see if the recommendations make a long lasting effect.
For me if there is anyone that can CNC or provide some method of strengthening this weak $%# part, it would be my pleasure to invest and then we can sell 100's of them as it is very difficult to even get this simple (but nearly worthless) part replaced, let alone rely on it once appropriately installed.
Argh!
I mean, please review and recommend.
