Im loosing my teeths

[Reverend]

As the topic says: im loosing my teeth while driving my Z. Suspension is super stiff and i prefer lot softer. So heres the deal: im new to anything suspension related but i know that in order to make it softer i need to remove a lot of stuff.

So suggestions and hints are taken HOW to make it more comfortable and with WHAT parts. Does BD or Motorsport have any "all bushings" package, as old ones are quite worned out. Maybe changing them helps a bit.

thanks

[FastWoman]

Roughness can be from almost anything, but I'll throw out my experiences with my '75 from long ago (which was knocking my teeth out too):

The biggest difference in the ride was from replacing the rally struts with KYB gas struts. BIG, BIG difference! I strongly suspect that's your problem.

Then I ended up replacing all variety of bushings, but that only tightened up the ride. It didn't make it more comfortable.

I had a shimmy that just wouldn't go away, and I eventually discovered that the hurricane mags on it had the bolt holes drilled ever so slightly off center. Once I replaced the wheels, all was right with the world.

[tlorber]

Sidewall stiffness is also a big issue, since the sidewalls are the first point of shock absorption in the system. Not sure of your wheel size but, as an example if you are running 16's, you could try going to 15's with a taller tire or softer sidewall.

[Gary in NJ]

Do you know your current set-up? Are there any know problems that need to be corrected? It would be helpful to know the baseline.

If you are running a stock suspension, simply replacing worn parts will have a huge effect on ride compliance.

Edited August 30, 2010 by Gary in NJ

[Walter Moore]

I assume that you have had the tires balanced recently. There are some aftermarket tire dealers who have uniformity measurement machines. (at least in the U.S. but I assume they do in Australia as well.) I think Hunter sells a machine here called a load simulator or something like that...

It spins the tire under load to measure the force variation. It isn't as accurate as the ones used in car plants or tire plants, and doesn't have the load force capability, but it can detect tires with hard spots, or bent rims, things that can induce vibrations.

Just a suggestion.

[Reverend]

I have 14" slot mags and they seem to be balanced. As far as i know, it's running on stock suspension. Ok struts at least are going to be changed. If i change only calibers, that should be "quite" easy right?

It is dream to drive if the road doesnt have any bumps.

[ChrisZ]

It is a sportscar, what size tires du you have on those mags.

[Reverend]

195/65 if i remember correctly. Yea i know it is a sportscar. I just dont think that its normal that when i drive road with tiny bumps everything that's inside the car (including the strapped driver) flies around like a barn in hurricane. We have great roads by the way, most of the roads are renewed on yearly basis.

Few days ago i was driving with toolbox behind my back, i almost went deaf after toolbox bounces around with all the heavy wrenches banging around :stupid:

[Gary in NJ]

Struts, springs and bushings. Replace them all with OEM quality parts and you should get a nice ride. Stay away from performance parts as they favor handling over ride quality.

If the struts have more then 50,000 miles and the springs 100,000 miles they are all due for a change.

The OEM tire size is 195/60-14. The 65 series ties have a higher side wall and will help with ride quality - only if your tires aren't old and hard.