Getting really tired of my crashy ride of My car,
I'm not after a standard feel, but something a little less bone shaking?!
Could any tired suspension components be adding to this horrible ride, wishbones have done less than 5000 miles, top mounts though have never been changed in the 7 years I've owned the car!!
I know I'm not helping the situation by running rubber band tyres, koni adjustables (which have also done less than 5000 miles) all round, not sure what springs but car is very low, lowered at least 35-40mm.....
But is there anyway I can keep all this and still achieve a Nicer ride??



Nick

Change your wheels Nick, those stretched rims are not helping! They do look good though...

I got the same 'issue' Nick thus I thought of downsiIng to 16's and fitting oem springs but keep the b6 shocks or even going for the osravs.

My Billies, Eibachs and 17 inch wheels work brilliantly on good surfaces, but in the potholes of Kent are literally a PITA. I'm thinking of going back to OEM springs too...

Definitely helps to 'refresh' all the suspension components, front and rear and no rubber band tyres....

Think I'll get my mechanic to look over all suspension components to se what needs refreshing..... Think I'll also go back to so normal fitting tyres rather stretch fit so there will be a little more give in the side walls.
Does sidewall stiffness change with different tyre brands I.e will some brands be a comfier ride than others, I hope so?!
I can't do anything about the rear tyres, they have to be stretch fit as wheels are 8.5 or 9j width and will rub the arches with normal tyre fitment!!
Really don't want to give up my Azev's anyway as I think they are still the wheels which suit the Coop best!!

Nick

Many passengers (and the occasional driver) comment on the ride quality of my car

Osravs, Eibachs, 17" wheels with 40-section tyres (along with copious amounts of foam sound deadening, which makes the car SOUND like its riding better, even if it isn't)

in my opinion, a near perfect balance between a decent ride quality and sharp handling

Hi Nigel, where did you get your osravs from?

Straight from the importer - Zagato Lancia

What tire size do you have?

I think fronts are 205 40 17 stretched fit to match the rears which have 225's stretched on, stil had to grind down the inside edge of rear arches!!

Also, what is correct tyre pressure for fronts?? Think mine are 32 psi?!

Nick

37 psi front
32 psi rear

Nigel,

Being lazy here - is there a "how-to" guide on sound proofing?

Thanks

Think I'll stick with 32 psi, otherwise my teeth may fall out!!

Its 39psi front in my manual!

A pic of my rear quarters, of which did most effect:

http://sfk.ibk.se/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5427&stc=1&d=1194648204

Thanks but hard to understand what part of car that is . What material are you using there?

Quarter panel interior trim. Looks like acoustic/sound deadening material?

Don't people use dynamat for sound deadening? ?? Has anyone used flash band?? If so, what your thoughts??

You're always going to get a stiffer ride with a reduced sidewall. Without wanting to try to teach anyone to suck eggs you cannot beat decent rubber. I recently changed tyres on the wifes modern Fiat and could not believe the difference some premium tyres made. Almost to the point where it actually felt like I had changed some suspension components..

What brand did you buy??

I too have avezs which are 18x8.5J love the look and can never bring myself to put 16s back on for that better ride.

I brought mine 2nd hand with stretched tyres , i had a front tyre break its bead and almost completely fall off years ago. This may have been also down to low air pressure/slow puncture , which it seem you have being doing too.
225 is the minimum recommended size on a 8.5J rim. I also only ever buy premium tyres , had bridgestone S02/S03 for many years now on conti sport contacts both very good.

I run 225/35/18 with no rubbing , i have untouched arch lips. I wouldn't say mine is crashy on a nice road its fine , on a ok road its fine apart from pot holes and the like. Bad roads i just avoid unless i have too.

Technics who also had avezs 8.5J used a different size 225/40/18 with a cut arch lip. Maybe ask him about any rubbing issues with a larger profile tyre.

Or just go back too 16s.

Not really a How-To, but here's my thread from when I applied the soundproofing

Clicky

dynamat is quite a lot expensive ,i used for front sound deadening proof
but i want to try something cheaper that it seems to work
i'm not a professional SPL competitor or a fanatic

Is it 225/45 17" on the back wheels?

No..... 225 / 35 / 17's

How did it go for you? Any news?

I now use 245/35 17" Hankook and the ride is okay if you ask me. I use Eibach springs (-30mm) and Bilstein dampers.