Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 04:47 pm, by: Warren Moore(Warreng)
hi guys
bought my soarer about a month ago and it came with stock coils. i don't know much about suspension but i think coils are height adjustable?
anyway i cant deal with the unbearably stiff ride i get with coils. its not a track car or anything, just more of a weekend car so im not really looking for that cornering performance.. id prefer the smoother ride.
i still want the ride lowered, so what should i get? should i just get stock suspension with super super low springs? or should i get aftermarket suspension with lowered springs?
i think coils are more expensive than springs, how much could i sell the coils for? I think they are JIC FLTA2 coils for the front and stock supra for the rear or vice versa. how much could i get for these? how much would i be looking at for new suspension + springs etc.?
Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 10:51 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Yes, coilovers are adjustable - also illegal as I understand it in most states? Could be wrong there as I'm a Kiwi and they are just fine over here.
You can often have coilover valves replaced to change the ride, depending on the model and manufacturer, though its not a DIY job. Increasing the ride height will also improve the ride.
Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 11:11 am, by: Tim Ross(Retox)
Hey Warren, if they are stock coils, they wont be adjustable. If they are actual coilovers, then they will be... if you need a hand telling the difference, take a wheel off and get a photo for us
Matthew is right about aftermarket coilovers and their legality... not that it stops many people, myself included. A friend of mine who works in tyres and suspension tells me Tein make the only ones that are ADR recognised.
Anyways, using a standard shock with a greatly lowered spring is going to mean a shortened lifespan for them.
Personally, If you want to get rid of coilovers, I'd strongly recommend a set of Bilstein struts with whatever springs you are looking to get.
I ran these in an extremely lowered Soarer previously and they stood up the the task well... I had them tested prior to selling them and the report was perfect. They dont come up too often second hand... last check Castle Hill Toyota could supply a full set for about $700ish which for german quality is a good price.
Unfortunately though, you're going to find in most cases that lowering is a tradeoff for comfort... the lower you go the rougher the ride will be as there is less suspension travel to absorb the undulation. Also bear in mind what size wheels and tyres you are running, as a lower profile tyre will have less sidewall flex and again, this will influence the comfort of the ride.
This is what I was talking about (ignore the tacky chrome wheels, I got rid of those quicksmart!)
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 12:36 am, by: Tim Ross(Retox)
Yep, coilovers... not factory coils
Have a look down the bottom, there may be a dial there... changing this adjusts the damper setting I believe... twist it all the way one way and trial it... if it makes it stiffer, twist it all the way the opposite way (pretty sure thats what it does anyways)
On the front ones the adjustment could be found on the top of the strut as they are with mine (open bonnet and access it there)... again, do the same adjustment.
You might find that could smooth it up a little
Generally speaking though, coilovers are performance suspension components, and as such the ride quality is reflective of that.
And as for the comment in your first line - no, not necessarily. If you do decide to get standard struts and put lowered springs on them... KEEP your coilovers in the shed. You never know if and/or when you might want to change back
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