Tannhauser Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 I've been unhappy with the ride and handling of my car for a little while now and I'm seeking any input from folks who understand this stuff. The car is a 93 JDM auto with yellow Bilsteins and 18" rims (8.5" front and 10" rear, I think). There is a front strut brace wotsit, too. The ride seems very harsh over bumps, especially with a passenger. The car seems jittery when braking and tramlines a lot. Compared to my UK supra, the ride is much harder and actually makes me feel less confident at speed unless the road is really smooth. I'd like to do something about it, but I don't have the cash for a full replacement suspension set up. 1) Could it be something as simple as alignment/worn minor component? (I went down an unexpectedly terrible unpaved country road a few months back that I suspect didn't do it any good) 2) Could the springs be replaced with UK ones and, if so, what would be the approximate cost? 3) Do I have any other low-cost (=sub £500) options? My pummelled internal organs and I thank you for any input. Cheers Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul -C- Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 I don't think the Jap spec is that bad... But I'd like to have a ride in a different setup to tell the difference. [Waits on an answer to first post ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony2311 Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 18" rim with low profile will do your ride no good at all as tyres work as shocks aswell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steveng Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Hi, I had yellow bilstiens which were to harsh for me so i bought 2 new KYB gas adj for £45 each and fitted to the front. Now the car feels much better going over bumps etc. Can't remember the web site, they were delivered in 3 days. Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Terry S Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Cliff you want to try my stock suspension from the 1999. That was pretty soft. Just shout if you do mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Originally posted by tony2311 18" rim with low profile will do your ride no good at all as tyres work as shocks aswell! I expected this too when i changed my 16" stock rims for 17" aftermarket on my Celica GT-Four. I have TRD Coilovers on the Celica and they EXTREME hard. When i fitted the aftermarket rims the suspension was less harsh. The only thing i can put it down to is the face of the stock rims were almost all alloy (no gaps on face) so quite rigid, whereas the aftermarket ones are multispoke and more likely absorb shocks better. That said the rims are used on Rally cars so designed that way i imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannhauser Posted July 1, 2004 Author Share Posted July 1, 2004 Originally posted by tony2311 18" rim with low profile will do your ride no good at all as tyres work as shocks aswell! I'm sure you're right, but I do want to stick with the 18s and will have to work around them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannhauser Posted July 1, 2004 Author Share Posted July 1, 2004 Originally posted by Terry S Cliff you want to try my stock suspension from the 1999. That was pretty soft. Just shout if you do mate Hmmm....I'll e-mail you tomorrow about that. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Tramlining is more apparent with certain brands/versions of tyres. Which tyres are you using? What pressure's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannhauser Posted July 1, 2004 Author Share Posted July 1, 2004 Hi Alex Toyo Proxes. Getting old now and probably need to go soon. I've tried various tyre pressures - I believe they are 34 all round at present. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Hmmm don't know how good/bad/indifferent those tyres are. Have you tried the UK car's tyre/wheel combo on the j-spec. This would determine if your un-happiness stems from the suspension or wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Originally posted by Alex Holdroyd Hmmm don't know how good/bad/indifferent those tyres are. Have you tried the UK car's tyre/wheel combo on the j-spec. This would determine if your un-happiness stems from the suspension or wheels. Like he said he needs/wants to stick to 18's , i doubt that 17's would clear his brakes Dude:flame Dev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Yes but I'm trying to see what is the route cause of his issue's if the 18's are the problem then he'll probably have to put up with it if he want's to keep them? Do these 18's on the j-spec have bigger than UK brakes behind them?? Otherwise why won't UK wheels fit the J-spec?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannhauser Posted July 2, 2004 Author Share Posted July 2, 2004 Alex, I have AP racing brakes on the front so Dude is probably right that UK 17s won't clear these. I agree with the thinking behind it though. I think my best bet is to get someone a bit more familiar with the ride and handling characteristics of supes to take it for a spin and see what they think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Originally posted by Tannhauser Alex, I have AP racing brakes on the front so Dude is probably right that UK 17s won't clear these. I agree with the thinking behind it though. Ahh fair enough then - I didn't know you had 2 soops let alone one with AP's - there endeth the confusion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 The J-Spec Bilsteins don't give a particulary harsh ride, it's probably got none stock springs on it. I have plenty of springs / shocks and stuff here to create a softer ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannhauser Posted July 2, 2004 Author Share Posted July 2, 2004 Alex, just to clarify, I sadly only have the one - my JDM with the AP brakes. I used to have a UK one, hence I know what the ride felt like on that for comparison. Thanks to all for the input , this has raised a couple of possibilites for me to check out.. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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