Simple Suspension Question

[4G63dsmpwr]

Hey whats up everyone. I recently bought a 90 AWD TSi.

Now, the previous owner put brand new KYB GR2 (OEM) struts in the front. It also needs struts in the rear. Now here is my question: The front struts were put in only about 6 months ago, but didn't improve the problem of riding hard. When I hit a bump, it feels like there is no shock left, it is just bottoming out or something...

So what do I need to replace to get the best ride in the car? I know the rear struts also have to be done, but should I purchase shocks or something? Suspension is the one area where I'm most unexperienced when it comes to DSMs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much for the space.

 

[14.5 drift]

Firstly is the car lowered?

And if it is was it profesionally done or were the springs cut?

The kyb is an alright strut but not up for the task of supporting a really short cut spring or any of the tough after market springs that might be more track oriented.

Second is the car riding on a low profile tire? If not check to see it has the right amount of air in it

If all is stock and to spec then might swing over to an allignment specialist and have em check out the under side of the car for any thing suspicious, hope all turns out well and good luck.

 

[4G63dsmpwr]

Right now, as far as suspension, the car is 100% stock.

Yes, the car is rding on 17" relatively low profile tires (not exactly sure as to what qualifies as a low profile, but it has less of a sidewall than an OEM tire on normal cars).

The car just had an alignment. I can get the specs of the sheet they gave me if that'd help.

Thanks alot for the space!

 

[14.5 drift]

The tires could be the perp. It has been told to me any thing under a 45 series can become uncomfortable and also a risk of bending the rim if you encounter any harsh bumps or dips in the assfalt.

But if all is stock it might just be that the car is naturally stiffer than your liking, wich could be possible i guess. I definatly wouldn't recomend an aftermarket spring for you in the future because it would likely be stiffer than what you have now. Might start looking at cadillacs for a softer ride

 

[UCSLugRacerX]

You asked "So what do I need to replace to get the best ride in the car?"

If by "best ride" you mean the most comfortable ride, you'd need to lose the low profile tires.
On the sidewall of the tire says the height of the sidewall. For example, a 205/40/17 size tire, the sidewall is 40mm.
By increasing the sidewall, (to say 60mm) you increase the amount of cushyness the car will have. Along with taller sidewalled tires, lower the PSI to about 30 or 28 PSI.
If you need the car to ride even softer, then find some springs that have lower spring rates. (Perhaps find used higher mileage springs, which are worn-in, off of a car that is lighter, such as a 1g FWD.)
If that's not enough, get some really cushy seats.

(Just keep in mind that as you're doing this, handling on the car is going to diminish. And you'll experience more body roll.)

 

[14.5 drift]

ll great ideas UCSLugRacerX

But body roll is the suxor

 

[4G63dsmpwr]

Well the reason I asked this question was because before this 90 AWD that I own now, I owned a 92 AWD. the 92 was also a Talon and 5 speed. That car gave ALOT better ride than my 90 does.

The 92 had 90K miles onit, the 90 has 170K on it. Thats why I thought something might've been worn or something? I know that a DSM will never feel "like a Cadillac" but the 90 definately doesn't feel like the 92 did.

You mentioned finding some older springs that are broken in? I don't understand, my new car with 80K more than my old one, has awful suspension compared to the one with fewer miles, so that tells me that when the OEM equipment is newer, it works better, correct?

My buddy has KYB AGX w/Ground Control coilovers, and I know what his car feels like. My car doesn't feel the same as his does. He has 17s with less of a sidewall, and racing slicks all the way around...?

I'm sort of confused now, not really sure whats going on.

 

[14.5 drift]

Maybe you need new springs. Our springs from the factory are a progressive rate spring, meaning the top coils have less resistance as the bottom coils. I guess it's possible the the softer coils have collapsed so to speak over the years to where now the only spring left in the spring is the much harder part at the bottom.

One way to tell would be to compare the ride height of your eclipse with another eclipse with oem springs to see if it rides lower.
Just an idea.

 

[balljp]

Hey i got a problem...I got intrx springs, and i got all of them on except the rear passenger side one. I have pounded it, and put tons of wd40 on it, and it still wont budge. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[14.5 drift]

you again?

Simply click http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=6

then type, come on now, how hard is that?

 

[leakyfaucet]

I know the rear struts also have to be done, but should I purchase shocks or something?

Just to straighten you out, (I'm appalled that no one else has) your car doesn't have shocks. It has struts all around, and they serve the purpose of the a shock.

And yes, having blown rear struts will make your car ride like crap. I'm 90% sure that's your problem.

 

[Attack Eagle]

You asked "So what do I need to replace to get the best ride in the car?"

If by "best ride" you mean the most comfortable ride, you'd need to lose the low profile tires.
On the sidewall of the tire says the height of the sidewall. For example, a 205/40/17 size tire, the sidewall is 40mm.
By increasing the sidewall, (to say 60mm) you increase the amount of cushyness the car will have. Along with taller sidewalled tires, lower the PSI to about 30 or 28 PSI.
If you need the car to ride even softer, then find some springs that have lower spring rates. (Perhaps find used higher mileage springs, which are worn-in, off of a car that is lighter, such as a 1g FWD.)
If that's not enough, get some really cushy seats.

(Just keep in mind that as you're doing this, handling on the car is going to diminish. And you'll experience more body roll.)

not entirely true

40 is a percentage of the first number

so a 100/ 40/ 17 would be 40 mm
a 200/40/17 would be 80 mm
a 150/40 would be 60 mm

anything lwer than a 225/45/17 is pretty stiff
you could go with a 215 50 and it would have a bit more sidewall
or a 235/45 17 will have the same amount of sidewall as the factory size,

HOWEVER:
the 235/45 will ride stiffer because it is a more performance oriented tire, and has stiffer sidewalls designed in vs the 215/50/17

I can personally recommend the toyo proxes fz4 as a good all round tire, relatively quiet comfortable (225/45/17) smooth breakaway and decent traction. It is not an azenis sport or kdw by anymeans however.

Ride is right on the edge of stiff but still smooth (factory suspension)
I can feel everything in the road but it helps take the JAR out when I hit something like a pot hole or whoop de doo.

AWDs ride stiffer (to me anyway) than any of the others... but that is why I like it.