Original Suspension/Shocks

[Felix_29]

Hi all,

I have the original suspension/shocks that came with my car. Is it just me or when you hit a bump in the road its rough. Sometimes my interior cabin light will come on when driving on a bad road. When the road is smooth the drive is great. I guess i'm not sure if I need new shocks or the ride is supposed to be on the rougher side. Or maybe I just have too many crappy roads where I live.

[DMCMW Dave]

It's the shocks. For some reason they seem to get hard with age, at least until the seals leak then they get really soft. Very occasionally I get a well-stored car in with original shocks that are working correctly, and it's amazing how well it rides.

[Felix_29]

Hi Dave,

So are you saying I should replace the shocks?

[Chris Burns]

My friend had the original shocks on his when he 1st bought it. The shocks were worn out and the car rode rough as hell over bumps. The following year he did a TV commercial for a car dealer in Orlando. They paid for his new Eibach suspension kit. Now the car rides like a Caddie!:devil:

[sdg3205]

My rear shocks are rock hard. May as well have no suspension back there!

Bangs like a 'Mo 'Fo over speed bumps and sound like the engine is going fall out.

[Felix_29]

I thought when you lower a car you would feel the road bumps even worse? Does the Eibach kit include shocks with the new springs?

[Chris Burns]

Yep, the springs and the shocks can be purchased together. You can get the springs separately though. I thought lowering the car would make the bumps worse too, but on this configuration it felt great! Lowering does have draw backs though (like watching out for pebbles in the road).

[Felix_29]

What is the advantage of the Eibach springs except for the car's lowered appearance. They say it handles better?

[DMCMW Dave]

You can buy the Eibach springs OR the Spax shocks OR both. Price is better as a set. The shocks have adjustable damping (from worn-out-taxicab to teeth-rattling), and the rears have a height adjustment as well.

Lowering, as long as the spring rate is appropriate, does not necessarily make the ride harder. Lowering the front of a DeLorean does wonders for the steering geometry, less bump steer as it sets the steering rack alignment to how it was apparently intended (level at rest rather than having the tie rod ends so much lower than the rack). In the stock setup, hitting bumps causes the front tires to toe-out upon spring compression. Lowered, they toe-in on bumps or rises, which is what you really want for more sure steering.

[John U]

how much lower are the eibachs?

[Rich]

how much lower are the eibachs?
The front Eibachs lower the front of the car as much as shown in these photos. About an inch. "Eibach" photo - right - shows the car on Eibachs over DMCH shocks all around with the rear ride height set for zero rake measured at the frame. "Original" photo - left - is OE springs and shocks.

The result on this car is ~5.1 inches (13cm) ground clearance at front and rear frame members. Chin spoiler clears 8 inches (20cm).

[jawn101]

The front Eibachs lower the front of the car as much as shown in these photos. About an inch. "Eibach" photo - right - shows the car on Eibachs over DMCH shocks all around with the rear ride height set for zero rake measured at the frame. "Original" photo - left - is OE springs and shocks.

The result on this car is ~5.1 inches (13cm) ground clearance at front and rear frame members. Chin spoiler clears 8 inches (20cm).

Looks really good! I haven't seen good before and after pics like that before. My car is unusual because the rear is still stock but some clown tried to lower the front by heating the springs at some point. It is much lower, but they are creaky. I have the original Girling setup in mine and it rides fantastically. Potholes will send a shudder through the frame but under normal operation I'd say it's less hard a ride than my RSX.