Suspension FAQ

859Toaster · 04-27-2009, 11:47 AM

^I had to cut it down some. This is just your basic info that everyone ask. I spent a few hours just doing that.

Anyone can ask a question in here, and I'll try to find the answer.

PCH · 04-27-2009, 11:54 AM

On the rear Koni shocks: is it possible to unbolt the bottom and swing it to the side (like when changing rear springs) to be able to twist them? Or you need to pull them out of the car completely?

no_lines · 04-27-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 859Toaster

^I had to cut it down some. This is just your basic info that everyone ask. I spent a few hours just doing that.

Anyone can ask a question in here, and I'll try to find the answer.

lol guess u didnt catch my sarcasm

Aikislacker · 04-29-2009, 02:46 PM

I don't know much about cars, so I have a question about the hard hits I get that make everything inside bang when I hit those damn bumps on the highway here in PA.

What is the part that is responsible for allowing a softer hit on those, and how much would a relatively inexpensive upgrade to that be? Note- I don't want to lower the car any more than it is standard.

PCH · 04-29-2009, 05:13 PM

Softer and taller sidewall on the tire would help. What size are you running?

bori_XB · 04-29-2009, 05:38 PM

Yo what about the "dropzone". My boy has a set of this for sale, he said the drop was 1.8 F/ 2.25 R. Is this good?

859Toaster · 04-29-2009, 08:00 PM

From previous car forums I belonged too, I would stay away from Dropzone my self. Never really heard anything good from them on a performance aspect, or a comfort aspect.

bori_XB · 04-30-2009, 07:51 AM

Ooh good, thx for the info, cus I was about 2 get them

Aikislacker · 04-30-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCH

Softer and taller sidewall on the tire would help. What size are you running?

Tire size is 185/60/R15. They have decent tread on them now, but when I replace them, if I could get something to give a better ride, that would be nice. I have really nice wheels on the car now (not sure what brand), so I wouldn't want to replace them.

Thanks!

859Toaster · 04-30-2009, 09:52 AM

Energy suspension sway bar end links will help all around with taking bumps, and cornering.

A better tire with a better sidewall will help the ride as well.

Now if you want comfort look at the monroe shocks if you don't want to spend a lot of money.

I am really not sure where to point you as far as a comfort based suspension. If you wanted performance I could get you on a really nice set up for less than coilovers. But to save money you would have to install it all your self, which calls for removing most of the suspension componets to upgrade bushings and such.

PCH · 04-30-2009, 12:46 PM

^ That's pretty much what i thought too. It's a light car- you'll feel the road. You may get very marginal improvement with nice touring tire. I think Dunlops are usually soft. You'll just get used to the way it drives.
I drove on some heavy wheels with soft rubber and liked the ride better than on stocks, but it affected MPG and acceleration.

Aikislacker · 04-30-2009, 01:21 PM

Thank you. What really bothers me at this point is when I hit a bump/pothole in the road and the hard bang that results from it. Don't know much about suspension, but I can equate it with my mountain bike when I bottom out the travel in the shock and get a hard bang out of it. Hope that makes sense.

859Toaster · 04-30-2009, 03:34 PM

I'm trying to remember stock suspension noises and thuds, but can't recall really having much to complain about.

Are you feeling the thud or just hearing it? I've heard people having a mystery noise before and not sure if maybe you are in that boat (bustin 5 knots wind whippin at your coat) or not.

Sorry if you answered that, been posting from phone.

PCH · 04-30-2009, 04:38 PM

Gotta check for a blown shock, may be. You are running stock size tire, but are you sure about the springs?
Another thingis a rubberized foam bump stop that sits on the top of the strut. Sometimes when people put lower springs they leave that off.
If you got the car used may want to see if there are signs it had springs swapped before.

universoul · 05-14-2009, 07:09 PM

nice! that's exactly the info that iw as looking for thanks! nice writeup

Daris · 07-20-2009, 07:27 PM

so, if I want to lower my xb about 2" and want it to stay as smooth as it is. what should I go with?

859Toaster · 07-20-2009, 11:19 PM

Tanabe DF210's and Koni Yellows set to soft.

Now that's probably out of what you're wanting to spend because you can get coilovers for the price of that set up.

Personally I'd throw the DF210's on or S techs. Then run a KYB rear shock (made for lowered cars, so they can take a little more abuse than the typical Monroe SensaTracs, and will last longer). Basically, with lowering springs, don't expect a "soft" ride. Because it's going to stiffen up. I can't tell you how soft because I've never ran just OEM strut front, lowering spring front, lowering spring rear, OEM shock rear. My front end bushings have all been upgraded to Energy Suspension so it doesn't have much deflection in the control arms which stiffen up the ride. And I also run 1/8" trimmed bump stops which suite my driving style with just springs.

My next set up will either be air (which is what I am really pulling for) or Progress Coilovers just to dump the ride to its lowest point. I am not expecting much out of Progress coilovers due to the spring rates changing with the lower I go. Not a performance coilover, more of a stance coilover. And air, Cody can pace me when just lowered on springs with his on air, so I know its at least close on performance. However, it's really hunkered down and low on PSI to do that.

But again to answer your question since I went on rambling...

DF210's or S-Techs with KYB Rear shocks.

Daris · 07-21-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 859Toaster

Tanabe DF210's and Koni Yellows set to soft.

Now that's probably out of what you're wanting to spend because you can get coilovers for the price of that set up.

Personally I'd throw the DF210's on or S techs. Then run a KYB rear shock (made for lowered cars, so they can take a little more abuse than the typical Monroe SensaTracs, and will last longer). Basically, with lowering springs, don't expect a "soft" ride. Because it's going to stiffen up. I can't tell you how soft because I've never ran just OEM strut front, lowering spring front, lowering spring rear, OEM shock rear. My front end bushings have all been upgraded to Energy Suspension so it doesn't have much deflection in the control arms which stiffen up the ride. And I also run 1/8" trimmed bump stops which suite my driving style with just springs.

My next set up will either be air (which is what I am really pulling for) or Progress Coilovers just to dump the ride to its lowest point. I am not expecting much out of Progress coilovers due to the spring rates changing with the lower I go. Not a performance coilover, more of a stance coilover. And air, Cody can pace me when just lowered on springs with his on air, so I know its at least close on performance. However, it's really hunkered down and low on PSI to do that.

But again to answer your question since I went on rambling...

DF210's or S-Techs with KYB Rear shocks.

thanks,

Where do you think I can get them the cheapest online?

Can I install them myself, how hard is it if I don't really know much about it? or do I have to pay some place hundreds of dollars to put them in?

859Toaster · 07-21-2009, 08:11 AM

Its pretty easy to do, just need basic metric hand tools. Having a friend will make it go a lot smoother.

And look around on classfieds, a set pops up from time to time.

Daris · 07-21-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 859Toaster

Its pretty easy to do, just need basic metric hand tools. Having a friend will make it go a lot smoother.

And look around on classfieds, a set pops up from time to time.

Thanks alot man