Rear Shock Setup

The place for all technical car discussions. If you haven't already, read our Disclaimer first!

Moderator: The Mod Squad

Rear Shock Setup

Postby tomo1985 » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:37 pm

If I want to stiffen up the rear of my car am i best to


replace the sway bar (whiteline heavy duty)
replace springs
replace shocks

The car as it stands has monroe GT shocks and king springs. It rides very soft.
tomo1985
Toyspeed Member
 
Posts: 206
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:12 pm
Location: CHCH

Postby aesc » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:47 pm

Are the Kings Super Lows? If so then that is most likely your problem right there
EX AE101 owner

2013 Ford Focus ST
User avatar
aesc
Toyspeed Member
 
Posts: 1411
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:29 pm
Location: Brisbane

Postby tomo1985 » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:50 pm

Yes they are super lows would you suggest new springs?

I want it to sit at the right height but just ride alot harder.
tomo1985
Toyspeed Member
 
Posts: 206
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:12 pm
Location: CHCH

Postby aesc » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:07 pm

Well im no expert but putting a set of standard lowering springs in the back (like TRD) will stiffen it up a bit. Unfortunately as I have found out you cant have a really low ride height without sacrificing the handling abilities unless you go coilovers
EX AE101 owner

2013 Ford Focus ST
User avatar
aesc
Toyspeed Member
 
Posts: 1411
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:29 pm
Location: Brisbane

Postby bad20v » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:43 pm

Dude I think you need to keep all your questions just to one post otherwise you are just going to get the same repeat answers.

Anywhoo.... I think you are on the right track when it comes to stiffening the rear end of your ride. But don't forget, what ever you do to the back of it will ultimately effect the front end as well. And stiffening it too much will result in a poor ride quality overall. I think you would prefer a well-handling road vehicle over a very stiff and twitchy race setup vehicle.

As for modifications to your suspension:

Stage 1: Springs - Lowered and/or uprated springs will lower the vehicles centre of gravity, so the vehicle won't 'lean over' so much (body roll) during cornering.
Stage 2: Shocks - Uprated aftermarket shocks will assist your springs and help more with your vehicles bound and rebound characteristics.
Just remember: Springs hold your car up, Shocks keep your car down.
Stage 3: Sway bar - Aftermarket Sway bars - These will also help with minimising your vehicles body roll characteristics. Often more than people think they will, if the sway bar has been designed properly.
Stage 4: Urathane Bushes - replace your rubber bushes with urathane items, common brands are Nolathane, Super Pro etc. Urathane is a much stiffer compound than rubber so it doesn't flex as much, but it also doesn't last as long as rubber and is prone to cracking if not greased up on installation and long use in dry conditions.
Stage 5: Replace Shocks with Adjustables - Adjustable Bound and Rebound shocks allow you to adjust the stiffness of each corner of your vehicle, and for some applications can be individual set for a specific race track or load carrying ability.
Stage 6: Coil Over Suspension - Fully adjustable height, bound and rebound capabilties. With this you can just all of these characteristics to your needs.

Will all these upgrades to your suspension system, there are pro's and con's and you may need extra bit and pieces like camber plates/bolts etc to get the vehicle to perform properly. Also, none of these modifications will work unless setup properly and the whole setup is 'tuned' with a professional wheel alignment.

You should also take into account the tyres on your vehicle, as if you are running 70 series profiles, you will get alot more body roll than if you were running 40 series items.

8)
Your Opinion Means 1/16th Of Stuff All To Me So Dont Bother Arguing With Me About It As I Just Dont Care.

Thank-You.
User avatar
bad20v
Toyspeed Member
 
Posts: 1911
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:25 pm
Location: With Master Yoda Smoking Doobies I am.

Postby tomo1985 » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:40 pm

I have tried running full adjustables but then my wheels would not fit as they are 18 x 7.5 wide running 215 x 35 x 18 and they rubbed on the springs, I cant use a spacer as then it would rub on the guard.
So i sold them to a mate.

Now im looking at doing the sway bar to stop to roll in the back.

The front of the car runs custom heavy duty springs so there is no problem there.
tomo1985
Toyspeed Member
 
Posts: 206
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:12 pm
Location: CHCH

Postby THA SHZ » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:39 pm

so if u have custom heavy duty springs in the front , then y dont u do the same in the rear and get a higher poundage spring , aswell as everything else that greg (bad20v) has written :D
Im the Daddy of the Mack Daddys ! :-)

http://toyspeed.blakjak.net/profiles/photos/861.jpg
User avatar
THA SHZ
Toyspeed Member
 
Posts: 2015
Joined: Wed May 12, 2004 5:48 pm
Location: Westside


Return to Tech Questions

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 29 guests