Handling seems pants
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
Handling seems pants
Hi all.
I've been feeling that my car just doesn't handle as well as it should. Feels a bit 'wandery' up the front and just seems to lack responsiveness from steering wheel to wheels. I replaced my worn wishbone bushes recently and don't think it made any difference.
I can't really remember what it used to handle like, but just know I don't like it at the moment.
Is there anything that will make a drastic improvement to my car's handling? Anything else known to wear (like bushes)??
Thanks,
pol
I've been feeling that my car just doesn't handle as well as it should. Feels a bit 'wandery' up the front and just seems to lack responsiveness from steering wheel to wheels. I replaced my worn wishbone bushes recently and don't think it made any difference.
I can't really remember what it used to handle like, but just know I don't like it at the moment.
Is there anything that will make a drastic improvement to my car's handling? Anything else known to wear (like bushes)??
Thanks,
pol
OK dude, will do.
I'll be looking at doing other bushes / linkages too depending on whatthe general opinion is here.
I was thinking of replacing all 4 shocks + springs but not wanting to spend loads on koni's / whatever. I hear a lot of talk of bilstein - the kit seems a good price, but also people don't seem t want to use their rears.
Also seems to be different types of sachs dampers.
Any tips?
pol
I'll be looking at doing other bushes / linkages too depending on whatthe general opinion is here.
I was thinking of replacing all 4 shocks + springs but not wanting to spend loads on koni's / whatever. I hear a lot of talk of bilstein - the kit seems a good price, but also people don't seem t want to use their rears.
Also seems to be different types of sachs dampers.
Any tips?
pol
There are different grades of Bilsteins, same with Koni.... you get what you pay for really.pol wrote:OK dude, will do.
I'll be looking at doing other bushes / linkages too depending on whatthe general opinion is here.
I was thinking of replacing all 4 shocks + springs but not wanting to spend loads on koni's / whatever. I hear a lot of talk of bilstein - the kit seems a good price, but also people don't seem t want to use their rears.
Also seems to be different types of sachs dampers.
Any tips?
pol
Dont make the mistake of going for 2.25" coilovers for road use though ( or even 10 position adjustable damping... you wouldnt use its capabilities).
A set of gas shocks & heavy duty standard ride height springs would transform handling without compromising camber angles.
To put it in perspective, I had an '89 Ford Orion 1.8 diesel about 10 years ago, it had worn out suspension when I got it so I bought 4 Lesjofors heavy duty standard length springs & 4 Gabriel gas shocks, for the first couple of weeks it was harsh as hell until they settled then I didnt need to slow for corners & could go round the outside of Ford XR3i's in the bends.... best £220 I ever spent.
A sensible upgrade like that on a 480 would feel considerably better than it did on my Orion
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
'87 Volvo 480ES
'98 Fiat Brava 1.6SX Auto
'03 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
'87 Volvo 480ES
'98 Fiat Brava 1.6SX Auto
'03 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
- Ettore Bugatti
- 480 Is my middle name
- Posts: 1273
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 1:58 pm
- Location: not in a Volvo 480
Why not original Volvo springs with orginal dampers( I believe from Sachs)? Volvo has several dampers and springs for the 400-series.
Then you kow for sure that the springs are matched with the dampers.
Then you kow for sure that the springs are matched with the dampers.
Volvo 480 ES, chassis 283, dec 1999-aug 2005
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
- Ettore Bugatti
- 480 Is my middle name
- Posts: 1273
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 1:58 pm
- Location: not in a Volvo 480