Coilovers what a waste of time
08 March 2016, 03:48 PM
#1
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Coilovers what a waste of time
What a waste of time, decided to fit a set of coilovers on my scooby classic but what a complete waste of time, money and effort.
Far too jumpy, far too hard, far too uncomfortable. Good job I kept my standard shocks and springs as they are going straight back on the car!
Rant over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!11
Far too jumpy, far too hard, far too uncomfortable. Good job I kept my standard shocks and springs as they are going straight back on the car!
Rant over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!11
08 March 2016, 03:56 PM
#2
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Which coilovers did you put on your car? What are the spring rates?
I think that for some roads, they are too hard. Especially now as there are so many potholes that are not being fixed!
I assume you adjusted them properly?
I think that for some roads, they are too hard. Especially now as there are so many potholes that are not being fixed!
I assume you adjusted them properly?
08 March 2016, 04:14 PM
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Your almost certainly be better off with a spring and damper combo for road use, Even the more softer coilovers are still fairly harsh, Mainly due to the solid top mounts.
08 March 2016, 04:49 PM
#4
Strooth, that was a fairly sweeping statement! nice rant! well done!
Not all coilovers are born equal, some are more track focussed, some are more trackday road car focussed, if you just bought them and bunged them on without any time getting the setup right i wouldnt be at all suprised if theyre not right. For all you know you could be sitting on the bumpstops and effectively have no suspension at all.
I run coilovers on my daily and its in no way harsh or nasty, but there is obviously always going to be a bit of a trade off for comfort against handling, feedback and grip.
What brand were they, new or 2nds? how long did you spend dialling them in? who did the allignment and how long did it take? etc.
Not all coilovers are born equal, some are more track focussed, some are more trackday road car focussed, if you just bought them and bunged them on without any time getting the setup right i wouldnt be at all suprised if theyre not right. For all you know you could be sitting on the bumpstops and effectively have no suspension at all.
I run coilovers on my daily and its in no way harsh or nasty, but there is obviously always going to be a bit of a trade off for comfort against handling, feedback and grip.
What brand were they, new or 2nds? how long did you spend dialling them in? who did the allignment and how long did it take? etc.
08 March 2016, 06:26 PM
#5
Strooth, that was a fairly sweeping statement! nice rant! well done!
Not all coilovers are born equal, some are more track focussed, some are more trackday road car focussed, if you just bought them and bunged them on without any time getting the setup right i wouldnt be at all suprised if theyre not right. For all you know you could be sitting on the bumpstops and effectively have no suspension at all.
I run coilovers on my daily and its in no way harsh or nasty, but there is obviously always going to be a bit of a trade off for comfort against handling, feedback and grip.
What brand were they, new or 2nds? how long did you spend dialling them in? who did the allignment and how long did it take? etc.
Not all coilovers are born equal, some are more track focussed, some are more trackday road car focussed, if you just bought them and bunged them on without any time getting the setup right i wouldnt be at all suprised if theyre not right. For all you know you could be sitting on the bumpstops and effectively have no suspension at all.
I run coilovers on my daily and its in no way harsh or nasty, but there is obviously always going to be a bit of a trade off for comfort against handling, feedback and grip.
What brand were they, new or 2nds? how long did you spend dialling them in? who did the allignment and how long did it take? etc.
If you run the car too low, regardless of the coilover quality, you risk hitting the bump stops on anything harsher than a small bump.
08 March 2016, 07:36 PM
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09 March 2016, 08:53 AM
#14
As this thread demonstrates, like oil and tyres there is a lot of room for subjectivity in suspension.
Personally have never got along with coilovers for the road on any car, most recently Eibach Pro Street S struts which came fitted to my blob. Previous owners raved about these however I promptly replaced them with springs and struts as well as replacing the Whiteline roll bars with OEM items. On other cars I've tried KWv3, D2, and disliked them all. (Speaking strictly for road use: track is another matter.)
Having got the blob into a setup that suited me perfectly a friend of mine (who likes it stiff) commented that the ride was too soft. Horses for courses.
Personally have never got along with coilovers for the road on any car, most recently Eibach Pro Street S struts which came fitted to my blob. Previous owners raved about these however I promptly replaced them with springs and struts as well as replacing the Whiteline roll bars with OEM items. On other cars I've tried KWv3, D2, and disliked them all. (Speaking strictly for road use: track is another matter.)
Having got the blob into a setup that suited me perfectly a friend of mine (who likes it stiff) commented that the ride was too soft. Horses for courses.
09 March 2016, 09:49 AM
#16
Buy cheap, buy twice.
If I were putting coilovers on my road car (which I've done many times and won't do again) I'd spend some good money as Banny suggested and buy a good quality brand, otherwise you'll certainly compromise the ride quality of your car. Personally, for an every day road car, decent shocks & lowering springs all the way!
If I were putting coilovers on my road car (which I've done many times and won't do again) I'd spend some good money as Banny suggested and buy a good quality brand, otherwise you'll certainly compromise the ride quality of your car. Personally, for an every day road car, decent shocks & lowering springs all the way!
09 March 2016, 10:04 AM
#17
To the OP, please post what coilovers you tried so others can benefit from your experience and potentially save them from a costly mistake. While suspension is very subjective it could still help people choose.
10 March 2016, 08:49 AM
#19
On my Hawk I'm using new Subaru WRX shocks with Tein S Tech springs. Gives quite a big drop and I find it still drives very well, much better then the original WRX spring. I do have camber bolts front and rear too so it could be setup properly. Makes for a lovely every day drive and a very good fast road setup in my opinion. Not too uncomfortable.
On my Forester STI I've got full Pedders struts and springs and can't say enough good things about them. They are probabbly a little softer than the original STI setup, but handle and ride great. Today the car is in for all new uprated bushes, 22mm adjustable rear ARB, camber bolts and full geo setup. So I'll see how she goes tomorrow!
On my Forester STI I've got full Pedders struts and springs and can't say enough good things about them. They are probabbly a little softer than the original STI setup, but handle and ride great. Today the car is in for all new uprated bushes, 22mm adjustable rear ARB, camber bolts and full geo setup. So I'll see how she goes tomorrow!
10 March 2016, 07:56 PM
#23
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Thread Starter
ok it was the cheapies off ebay I tried with and with hindsight I totally agree with the "you get what you pay for".
I only went with the coilovers as I wanted more stiffness in the suspension for trackdays and I have just fitted a set of wider 18 inch wheels and wanted to ensure I couldnt raise or lower the height of the suspension to ensure the wheels cleared all suspension parts and wheel arches etc.
Hence due to my experience with the harshness of the coilovers I have reverted back to my what I think is standard suspension that came with the car.
Now only occasionally the back wheels are catching the rear arches where they are wider and out further than the previous wheels. I still have 3cm of clearance between top of wheel and wheel arch.
Basically I dont want to change the wheels as they suit the car and I dont want coilovers. The wheels only catch very occasionally on big jumps in the road or acute turns up or down hills or where there is large camber on the road
Has anyone got any suggestions how to overcome this as I hate any unusual noises etc etc. Would stiffer springs help?
I only went with the coilovers as I wanted more stiffness in the suspension for trackdays and I have just fitted a set of wider 18 inch wheels and wanted to ensure I couldnt raise or lower the height of the suspension to ensure the wheels cleared all suspension parts and wheel arches etc.
Hence due to my experience with the harshness of the coilovers I have reverted back to my what I think is standard suspension that came with the car.
Now only occasionally the back wheels are catching the rear arches where they are wider and out further than the previous wheels. I still have 3cm of clearance between top of wheel and wheel arch.
Basically I dont want to change the wheels as they suit the car and I dont want coilovers. The wheels only catch very occasionally on big jumps in the road or acute turns up or down hills or where there is large camber on the road
Has anyone got any suggestions how to overcome this as I hate any unusual noises etc etc. Would stiffer springs help?
10 March 2016, 09:08 PM
#25
ok it was the cheapies off ebay I tried with and with hindsight I totally agree with the "you get what you pay for".
I only went with the coilovers as I wanted more stiffness in the suspension for trackdays and I have just fitted a set of wider 18 inch wheels and wanted to ensure I couldnt raise or lower the height of the suspension to ensure the wheels cleared all suspension parts and wheel arches etc.
Hence due to my experience with the harshness of the coilovers I have reverted back to my what I think is standard suspension that came with the car.
Now only occasionally the back wheels are catching the rear arches where they are wider and out further than the previous wheels. I still have 3cm of clearance between top of wheel and wheel arch.
Basically I dont want to change the wheels as they suit the car and I dont want coilovers. The wheels only catch very occasionally on big jumps in the road or acute turns up or down hills or where there is large camber on the road
Has anyone got any suggestions how to overcome this as I hate any unusual noises etc etc. Would stiffer springs help?
I only went with the coilovers as I wanted more stiffness in the suspension for trackdays and I have just fitted a set of wider 18 inch wheels and wanted to ensure I couldnt raise or lower the height of the suspension to ensure the wheels cleared all suspension parts and wheel arches etc.
Hence due to my experience with the harshness of the coilovers I have reverted back to my what I think is standard suspension that came with the car.
Now only occasionally the back wheels are catching the rear arches where they are wider and out further than the previous wheels. I still have 3cm of clearance between top of wheel and wheel arch.
Basically I dont want to change the wheels as they suit the car and I dont want coilovers. The wheels only catch very occasionally on big jumps in the road or acute turns up or down hills or where there is large camber on the road
Has anyone got any suggestions how to overcome this as I hate any unusual noises etc etc. Would stiffer springs help?
Tyre size?
Which current struts?
Wheel centre to arch distances, front and rear + how much fuel in the tank?
10 March 2016, 10:26 PM
#28
Yes. I could suggest something - better if you answered my previous questions, first.
Or use a new oem rear set:
http://www.importcarparts.co.uk/part...y=&searchPart=
In combination with these:
Or use a new oem rear set:
http://www.importcarparts.co.uk/part...y=&searchPart=
In combination with these:
10 March 2016, 10:33 PM
#29
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Thread Starter
Yes. I could suggest something - better if you answered my previous questions, first.
Or use a new oem rear set:
http://www.importcarparts.co.uk/part...y=&searchPart=
In combination with these:
Raid HP 300025 Clip-On Bump Stops 21 mm Diameter Prevents the Bodywork From Bumping into the Wheels: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Or use a new oem rear set:
http://www.importcarparts.co.uk/part...y=&searchPart=
In combination with these:
Raid HP 300025 Clip-On Bump Stops 21 mm Diameter Prevents the Bodywork From Bumping into the Wheels: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Do these definately work as dont really want to spend the money and find out I have the same problem
10 March 2016, 10:40 PM
#30
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Thread Starter
Tyre size are 215/40/18
Current struts are standard
I can measure wheel centre to arch distance if needed and there has been 1/2 to 3/4 tank of fuel currently