Stock Shock absorber with lower spring

[Hlkh]

hi All, how do we know the stock shock absorber due for replacement when used with lower spring?

 

example - No oil leaking stain on the absorber when hoist up to inspect, when rock the car at park position all are firm and mileage at 85k km

 

what other method test or know the absorber is giving way?

[macrosszero]

Its not due for replacement yet then. Use it till it leaks oil, or the bottom out bumpers are gone. Then change it.

[Tweakmax2]

i am thinking of cutting my stock spring as I can lower and still get comfort.. is this ok ?

[Ichibawa]

i am thinking of cutting my stock spring as I can lower and still get comfort.. is this ok ?

 

Please don't cut the stock spring. Buy a new lowering spring set. There is a reason why the thickness and number of coils are required.

[Ichibawa]

hi All, how do we know the stock shock absorber due for replacement when used with lower spring?

 

example - No oil leaking stain on the absorber when hoist up to inspect, when rock the car at park position all are firm and mileage at 85k km

 

what other method test or know the absorber is giving way?

 

If it is still ok then there is no need to change but looking at the mileage chances are you may need to change soon so best to know where to get your parts and who to fix it for you.

[Ungtiong]

how bad is ur lowering spring if u need to cut it. My lowering spring damn low liao (1-2 finger). While driving with bad shock, u will notice it, especially if u drive fast. Dont know how to explain but can feel the car not behaving properly (loss on control) when taking hard corners (dont need high speed, low speed can liao)/hard braking/even accelerating.

 

 

 

The stock is already at 85k??? already damn long liao.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Ungtiong

[JX83]

Anyone tried aftermarket shocks with stock springs before? Any difference in comfort & height?

[Zhlow]

Pros and Cons of matching lowering spring with stock absorber :

 

Advantages :

1. Lowered look - but the amount of fingers/cm lowered is dependent on the spring itself. you wan to control height, get adjustable coilovers.

2. slight improved in handling - Driving vios. was on stock shocks and vogtland springs. As the springs are harder and your car is slightly lowered, cornering will be better alittle bit with lesser body roll.

 

Disadvantages :

1. Bumpy ride - as the springs are hard and spring rates does not fully compliment your absorbers, you will be having a bumpy ride, rear passengers you will see them bobing up and down when u look at the rear view mirror when driving.

2. Wears out your absorbers faster : As the absorbers are being compressed for a long period of time due to lowered height, rate of wear for your absorbers will increase. Worse when your car is always on full load. A typical set of absorbers with lowered spring usually will last you for 1-1.5yrs before you are due for a change.

 

How to know if your absorbers are worn out ?

 

1. The bounce test - press down hard on every 4 side of your car. if your car goes back to normal height without much bounce effect your absorbers should be stil ok. However, if you have a jammed absorber this method might not be useful.

 

2. Leaking shocks - use a torch light and visually inspect the absorbers for signs of oil leakage that points to a weak absorber.

 

3. Butt feel - a worn set of absorbers like some other bros mentioned, will not perform well during cornering. you will feel the effect when its not up to normal cornering characteristics.

 

4. Bottom out effect - If you are on almost full load and when you went over a hum with a loud thump sound coming from any four points of the car highly likely the shocks had bottomed out and most likely you are in for a change.

 

So heres the general cost that you might incur if you are on coilovers/absorbers/ stock suspension .

 

coilovers - 1500- 1800 incl installation and wheel alignment : last you abt 2-2.5yrs ( if you are lucky) before servicing required. depending on brands, svcing cost varies. BC cost abt 150 per coilover while tein can cost you 300 to just service one coilover! the benefits, hardness and height can be adjusted on coilovers. second hand coilovers cost you between 400 - 600 depend on mileage and condition. not advisable to get as u do not know what the previous owner had done to it. and if servcing is required. you are better off getting a new set of coilovers by topping up just abit more.

 

lowering spring with stock absorbers - $80 - $100 ( second hand spring), installation ( $70 - $80 ) , wheel alignment ( $30 - $50 ) factor in the price required after 1yr plus when you get a new pair of shocks ( do remb to refactor in all ur installation cost n alignment again)? say abt $250 ? do the maths..=)

 

Stock suspension : usually last you for 2 - 2.5yrs min if you take good care of it. when its time for change, if budget allows get a better absorber for btr handling eg. kayaba excel-g etc. cost ard 300 plus per pair? nt too sure abt tht maybe forum bros can advice.

 

I was on stock suspension, change to lowered spring, to coilovers and now im back to stock suspension again for my vios all within one year. it was definitely a hefty price to pay to learn my lesson. just hope that you make informed decision before purchasing.

[BlueOldMan]

Actually car is a machine

N trust me the simple way

Got sound got problem

No sound no problem

 

When u buy a brand new car

It's supposed to be quiet drive

After 3-5 yrs

When u notice weird sound

There's a problem

 

Dun worry about ur absorber

Some pple here very smart ones will tell u bla bla bla

Seriously if in doubt

Look for ur trusted mech

 

Cheers

[macrosszero]

Stock absorbers failing prematurely on cut stock springs - fact

 

Stock absorbers failing prematurely on lowering springs - myth

 

Why is this so? Assuming that in cutting the stock springs you do not change the spring rate. So what you have is the car riding on its bump stops much more often than it should. As a result the bump stops disintegrate - and if not caught early, will cause the absorber itself to start leaking from the impacts. Lowering springs are designed for higher spring rates therefore it rides harder but prevents excessive bottoming out and damaging the bump stops prematurely.

 

I have used lowering springs for over 100,000km and when I upgraded to coilovers, the absorbers were still in good condition and not leaking except for an oil mist around the one of the absorber's seals.