Need Some Suspension Help.

[Mart]

Hey Guys. I need some advice on what to do with my suspension set-up.

I have a nice few handling bits installed but Its mainly the coilovers that are causing the problem.

Im running on the old D2's but I think there set up totally wrong. When we put them on first day we left the spring rates where they were and and adjusted the lower bracket to the hub. After a few days of sinking in the were too low so were re-adjusted up about 1inch, 1.5inches but I think the guy that re-adjusted them used the spring ring instead of re-adjusting them from the hub.

Now all my spring rates are totally off and Its after getting to a point now where Im actually sick of the handling.

The ride is so harsh its like going out a bull everytime I drive my car. The roads over here aren't the greatest and its gettting absolutely painful going for a spin anywhere. Its at a point now where Im nearly taking my bro's car than my own for a smoother ride.

Now Im not to sure what I should do. Go try and set the coilovers up properly by some professional (Who do I go to?) to see if they can sort out a smoother ride, will this make much difference as the D2's are harsh anyway? Or just sell the coilovers on and just go back to some lowering springs and shocks?

Im getting absolutely sick of it now at this stage as its the only downside on my EP at the moment.

Do yee guys have any recommendations because I don't have a clue what to do????

Mart...

[shelly_star]

1st Gen D2s are very firm indeed, that is one downside of it but on the box it does say "Not suitable for normal road use" if i remember, that's why 2nd Gen D2s are improved. There is no other way you will get a more comfortable ride iam afraid, if you aren't happy, i would suggest selling the D2s and try something else or get some opinions on the different suspensions out there for the starlet

[nic1.3]

hey mart

while I don't use coilovers my advice would be to try and get them set up again from scratch and give a bit of time,

As for where to get them set up is anyone's guess around cork man, maybe try predator motorsport in tralee if your willing to travel a bit, they fitted my konis originally and they did a decent job of that at least, plus i believe that they do motorsport preparation on cars also which may give them more experience with setting these up

nic

[nic1.3]

I think that there's a place up the model farm road called barry's motorsport call they mite be able to give you sum local places that mite set them up if they wont touch em

also there's a place in waterford that mite set them up, forgot their names tho.

[Dan Evans]

in my personal opinion, i think coilovers are over rated, reason being is, why do people get them?? because of the hight adjustment for the stance of the car..

for the best set ups, you wanna look at a decent set of shocks and springs, coilovers can be a very harsh ride, unless your willing to fork out over 2000quid for the correct modules etc to get the best performance out of them.

i would rather have a comfy ride than asking the docs for a re-built spine every 5 minutes..

I've got a set of KYB GTR's they are really hard to find, but my company can get hold of them, and those shocks have different damping volumes but also sit lower than normal shocks, and there paired with a set of TEIN springs, they are very comfy, but can be used on the tracks aswell as on the road, and they sit quite low with the tein springs aswell.

it depends on what you want to use the car for really mate

[WallaceGlanza]

Adjust them so that the springs have no preload on them, ie the springs are only just held by the adjuster ring,yours will be much stiffer if the guy has lowered the car by increasing the spring preload.

Coilovers are better because of the adjustability, if set up correctly they'll offer much more than shocks and springs can. The spring rates on some coilovers are aimed for track use and thats why people find them too hard for road use, get the right coilovers or change the springs to one's with a lower spring rating then they will be perfect.

[Mart]

Thanks very much for the advice Nick, Shelly, Dan and Wallace.

I've speared no money on my handling set-up and wanted the best I could get at affordable prices for a great set-up but this is my only downside and its seriously fustrating every time I sit into the car. I think I'll try and get them set-up somehow properly to see if that makes any difference and if not, Im going to bail them and go for a set-up like you have Dan if it doesn't work.

Its the only think thats annoying me now and its actually turning me off taking my car out for a spin...

Do yee think it would cost much for a specialist to sort all the handling out?

Thanks for the help guys...

Mart...

[Dan Evans]

nah it wont cost much mate, i had a bloke set my suspension up for the best ROAD handling and a comfy ride, and he was a ex WRC rally mechanic, it cost me bout 70 quid for the correct set up with my white line products aswell, i tried throwing my car round a corner on a track before it got setup and i ended up spinning out at 70-80, now it just sticks to it and doesnt lift or bounce etc..

a mate of mine is after a set of coilovers if you get rid of them bud, just give me a shout mate..

[Mart]

Will do Dan. If it doesn't work out I might be onto you for some info on the springs you have on. Thanks for the help.

I have all the usual whiteline bits aswell so I'll see if I can get them all set-up someway properly and take it from there.

Mart...

[Dan Evans]

no worries mate, i may be able to get you springs and shocks abit cheaper, but see how you get on with the coilies first bud