lowering spring opinions

[byron84]

When I first got mine, the ride quality was seriously not bad at all (100% oem original @ 55k km), but it has deteriorated quite a bit since then, mostly my fault.

How has it deteriorated, and why was it your fault?

I was negligent. I left the province and let the car sit for almost 6 months barely ever being moved at all. I drove it through some areas with a full load (well, 4 people in the car), areas more suitable to off-road vehicles... it was pretty bad. I drove around with ppl in the back too often who were immature and kept jumping around in the back seat like 5 year olds ... I put a bunch of really heavy stuff (only a short trip) ... all in all, just not really diligent car ownership, and so 40k km later it shows.

This time around, I will treat her right..

I am definitely interested in rabbit's coilovers, but kyb/h&r combo or kyb/eibach is also an option. I also want to get the sway bar kit, but one thing at a time

Between dlspeedonline.com and amazon, I can get the kyb/h&r combo for $380 plus shipping. rabbit's coilovers will not cost all that much more, so it might be worth the wait. guess we'll see what happens!

edit: i gotta change my timing belt, water pump (and i just ordered the metal thermostat housing) ... once all that is done, hopefully within the next couple weeks, then i can look at suspension and other stuff!

[byron84]

serega12, I have another question. When I mention to other people that I'm thinking about doing this, they seem concerned that the shock will give a bouncy ride and blow out because it wasn't made for that kind of spring rate or something like that.

I'm wondering if you have experienced any bounciness? I know you said it's only been a few months so you can't say anything for longevity (well, at least it hasn't blown out so far eh?).

I definitely want much improved handling, just having some difficulty deciding the best way to go.

[serega12]

Byron, the "bounciness" is usually when you go with the lowering springs and stay with the OEM shocks/struts. That's what I experienced with Geo Metro (89), lowered 96 accord (it was BOUNCY until we bought some coil overs for it), 98 Jetta with cut springs... two-way struts are the way to go. The KYB's DO have one bounce, but that's just it... there is no wave of a few bounces after it until it stabilizes. Two-way shocks stabilize after the first bounce. And of course your ride will get "stiffer" because the compression rates of springs are different, but I wouldn't do it if I couldn't change the struts/springs at the same time...

Hope this answer makes sense...

[byron84]

Byron, the "bounciness" is usually when you go with the lowering springs and stay with the OEM shocks/struts. That's what I experienced with Geo Metro (89), lowered 96 accord (it was BOUNCY until we bought some coil overs for it), 98 Jetta with cut springs... two-way struts are the way to go. The KYB's DO have one bounce, but that's just it... there is no wave of a few bounces after it until it stabilizes. Two-way shocks stabilize after the first bounce. And of course your ride will get "stiffer" because the compression rates of springs are different, but I wouldn't do it if I couldn't change the struts/springs at the same time...

Hope this answer makes sense...

Ok so basically what I get from this is that if you get lowering springs with bone stock shocks, you'll bounce into oblivion (and your shocks might blow out after some time?).

With aftermarket shocks like the KYB, you won't be bouncing all over the place. If the ride experience is somewhat normal (of course it's stiffer, that's to be expected), then I'd definitely consider it.

on an unrelated note, I confirmed with Ultra Racing that their bars do in fact fit all model aveos, according to Phil Wakefield, VP Sales

[serega12]

The ride IS normal. But it will get a lot stiffer once you get the anti-roll/sway bars... Articulation will get reduced...