andy 0 Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 recently fitted konis and eibachs hoping to drastically improve the suspension but whilst the car doesn't bounce along the road anymore the ride quality is absolutely pants. does anyone else have this problem, the car makes such a fuss over every little crease and drain cover. I just can't understand how people can rate eibachs so highly. i hoped that making these upgrades would improve the car massively yet I find myself cursing the thing....aaaagh...ideas? Link to post Share on other sites
28v6r 0 Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Did you have the vehicle tracked??? Alot of people make the mistake of just fitting the suspension without having the castor/camber & tracking done, this would account for the trashy ride that you describe...Does the car "dance" or jump in any direction when it hits a bump or pot hole?? (feels like, although drives straight at the wheel) if so I'd try that, it's around £70 notes from the stealers, YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED, I kid you not, it makes the car handle so much better as the machine is called a Hunter Aligner and takes into account all of the above and resets the "T" in the steering wheel to dead centre. The Dealer won't do the alignment if there's any free play on the balljoints/bearings etc as their also checked during test. For me it's the only way to go... I've had my Caddy done , my Passat, and my fathers Bora and all I can say is **WOW** the car feel a whole load better and handle better...Try that and see how you go...P.S Remember to ask and see the printout off the machine after its done! Good Luck!! Link to post Share on other sites
acf8181 0 Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 how stiff have you got the koni's adjusted to?if its on fully stiff it'll be very harsh! Link to post Share on other sites
andy 0 Posted July 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 I had the car adjusted after fitting it all, it was checked for four wheel allignment and camber and caster adjusted, it steers perfectly and its high speed behaviour is good. It really is just ride rather than handling thats the problem here, I have the konis adjusted to 3/4 stiffness, did have it adjusted to maximum originally and found it v.good on the right road but really nasty on anything lumpy, so softened it a bit. I find that if I soften it any further it feels like it did before I did any work, ie wallowy as hell. I'm wondering if the previous owner fitted poly bushes, not easy to check I'm guessing. It really is unpleasant, girlfriend is moaning! I only have the original 15" wheels, can't imagine how it would ride with bigger wheels. I'm sure something must be wrong. Link to post Share on other sites
acf8181 0 Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 soften the suspension then!!! simple answer really. Link to post Share on other sites
andy 0 Posted July 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 andy said "I find that if I soften it any further it feels like it did before I did any work, ie wallowy as hell. " Link to post Share on other sites
nickbee 1 Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 The Koni/Eibach combo shouldn't be crashy at all.I reckon something's gone - either the suspension is knackered or you need to replace the bushes. Link to post Share on other sites
binliner 0 Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Is that what you have nick? in which case I agree it's smooth as you like Link to post Share on other sites
acf8181 0 Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 andy said "I find that if I soften it any further it feels like it did before I did any work' date=' ie wallowy as hell. "[/quote']well, you can't have eveything...you have to find the right balance for you. 3/4 stiff is quite a stiff IMO. Link to post Share on other sites
andy 0 Posted July 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 might try it at 1/2 stiff again ooer! will try and get a ride in someone elses with the same setup, will check all joints and bushes in the meantime, cheers for suggestions Link to post Share on other sites
28v6r 0 Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 On a different tack... what about anti roll bar bushes are they worn at all or are the the poly bushes?? it maybe a worth while excercise to replace these with standard bushes....Just a thought.. Link to post Share on other sites
nickbee 1 Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Is that what you have nick? in which case I agree it's smooth as you like Thanks! Yes, it is what I've got. I run 17s and have the shocks as stiff as they'll go, and the ride is lovely. Link to post Share on other sites
andy 0 Posted July 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 yesterday I had a look at my bumpstops, have got o.e ones fitted, I thought if the eibachs have lowered the car 30/40mm then I have reduced my available travel by that much too, sure enough the damper only has about 5 or 6 cm to travel before hitting the stops, so I chopped them down, ride is now much improved and I can actually feel the dampers working now! question is what has everyone else done with bumpstops? are shortened ones available, have people left them out? Link to post Share on other sites
acf8181 0 Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 didn't it tell you to chop them down on the instructions with the kit?! Link to post Share on other sites
andy 0 Posted July 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 no it didn't! instructions were non existent with the springs and diagrams only with the konis. I got new o.e bumpstops all round and didn't register the lack of travel, its not obvious with no weight on the strut and even less so when the dust boot is down. I'd like to know what other people with this setup have done... Link to post Share on other sites
binliner 0 Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 glad you got it sorted Andy Link to post Share on other sites
nickbee 1 Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 Sorry mate, mine was fitted Link to post Share on other sites
VRmonster 1 Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 i have coilovers and found the spax bumpstops too tall for how low i have the car, so i bought some clip on bump stops from a guy on ebay, try searching on there and see if there is anything available. Link to post Share on other sites
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