Suspension 101 - Page 2

ambystom01 · Dec 27, 2007, 01:38 PM

Read the offset thread (also stickied in the suspension forum) as the writer has 18s and discusses fitment issues. It comes down to what tires you're using and what offset the wheels have.

roksteddy · Feb 27, 2008, 12:12 PM

Hi everyone I need help on my suspension issue. I have a stock 2004 oz rally and as any owners of this model know, body roll and cornering is an issue that is quite pronounced in this model. I've finally saved enough money for a 17" konig wheel and nitto tires, and I wanted to solve the body roll issue while at it.

Now, originally I'd planned on changing the rims and tires and installing a rear sway bar to fix the body roll issue. However, i ended up getting a gang of people advising me different strategy to fix this and I'm so confused now.

My mechanic told me to just change the tire, wheel then install an upper strut tower bar. He said i already have a rear sway bar, however undersized. By having a strut bar it'll rigid the body and solve body roll. My closest homie told me to change the spring (only, no shocks) and that'll solve body roll issue - guaranteed. This post tells me to change both shock and springs.

Well, I just wanna fix body roll and cornering without sacrificing comfort. This post tells me that if I just change the spring, it'll blow the shocks eventually. The ride will be harsh too.

Well can I just do this: wheel, tire and rear sway bar - will this fix body roll? I don't care much about lowering, I care more about cornering. What's a simple answer to this, springs, rear sway bar, upper strut bars or shocks and springs? help!

ambystom01 · Feb 27, 2008, 12:53 PM

Strut bars do nothing for body roll, they serve to increase chassis stability/stiffness but they do not change the suspension dynamics at all. Sway bars can decrease body roll but it depends on how large you. You only have one option for your car so you SOL in that regard. Springs can decrease body roll but they also reduce strut life and can have negative effects on performance. Coilovers significantly decrease body roll but they come at a high cost and reduce comfort. I suggest you read the FAQ in my sig to start off with as I cover quite a bit of this to some extent.

roksteddy · Feb 27, 2008, 03:29 PM

Thanks Ambystom01! I'm reading your FAQ page. Thanks to people like you who light the way for people like me.

I think Im gonna go ahead with the wheel, tire and sway bars. Then save some more money for coilovers. Or what would be a good brand combo for shocks + springs like you said?

ambystom01 · Feb 27, 2008, 03:35 PM

There aren't any good aftermarket struts so you don't really have an option.

roksteddy · Feb 27, 2008, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the 411 on everything. Will browse more your stickies!

02-Lancer-Es · Feb 27, 2008, 05:28 PM

okay ive been looking at a ksports pro coilover kit because i want to slam it (around a 3-4 inch drop)
are these kits good ?
or should i just buy a greddy ti-c catback?

ambystom01 · Feb 27, 2008, 05:36 PM

I had Ksports and I wouldn't buy them again.

02-Lancer-Es · Feb 27, 2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ambystom01

I had Ksports and I wouldn't buy them again.

why? whats wrong with them

ambystom01 · Feb 27, 2008, 05:51 PM

They were very stiff, I had a problem with the bottom mount coming loose and I've heard a lot of bad stories involving the valves leaking within a year.

02-Lancer-Es · Feb 27, 2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ambystom01

They were very stiff, I had a problem with the bottom mount coming loose and I've heard a lot of bad stories involving the valves leaking within a year.

damit that sucks, but i thought all you had to do was adjust them with the little knob

ambystom01 · Feb 27, 2008, 06:05 PM

You can but even at full soft they were stiff as balls.

02-Lancer-Es · Mar 2, 2008, 09:57 PM

so is my current suspension , so im just going to go ahead and get it , its because i wanna lower it alot more , like a 3-4 inch drop from stock and im currently at a 1.8 inch drop all around with dropzone springs

ambystom01 · Mar 2, 2008, 10:04 PM

Yeah springs aren't stiff compared to coilovers, hell springs are more the girls compared to coilovers. At times I felt like I had metal rods for struts because of how harsh the ride was.

lancer2show · Mar 3, 2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sa town ridah

so is my current suspension , so im just going to go ahead and get it , its because i wanna lower it alot more , like a 3-4 inch drop from stock and im currently at a 1.8 inch drop all around with dropzone springs

3-4 is a pretty big of a drop. im not sure how the handling will be, but i know it would be better than springs.