YACT: I think it's time for some suspension work.

[Ryan]

FYI - the car is a 1998 Nissan 200sx SE w/ 78k miles on it.

I've always though that the ride in my car was a little rough, but I'm beginning to think that my shocks/struts might be shot, and have been since I bought the vehicle. I seriously feel like I'm in one of those Chocolate Milk commercials where the harshness/bump-iness of my ride is enough to throughly mix the milk

After driving in my parents civic coupe, their suspension is worlds ahead of where mine is. It was nice a soft, and filtered out almost all of the harshness I woudl have felt in my 200sx.

Now, How do I know for sure what would needs to be replaced on my suspension, how can I tell if it's REALLY f'ed up?

I'm assuming that the shocks and struts need to be replaced, but do you think the springs do too? What brands to you guy suggest, or should I just go with stock parts? I'm going to have a local shop do the work.

I don't want to lower my vehicle, I just want a better and softer ride than what it feels like now

 

[Colt45]

push it down, if it jiggles around its needs a fixin'

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Colt45
push it down, if it jiggles around its needs a fixin'

It doens't jiggle, it just feels like it's much harsher than it should be, making my whole car shake and rattle. Taking a ride in my vehicle is like riding a wood rollercoaster. The civic's suspension felt like butter compaired to mine

 

[Scouzer]

well, a 200sx probably has some kind of sporty suspension

sport suspension is meant to be firm, and therefore bumpy. it will never compare to the likes of a civic suspension...

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
well, a 200sx probably has some kind of sporty suspension

sport suspension is meant to be firm, and therefore bumpy. it will never compare to the likes of a civic suspension...

Ah, but the Civic has "sporty" intentions just as my 200SX (they're both essentially coupe versions of their 4-door siblings), yet the ride is so much better. I can understand firm, but this just feels loose and uncontrolled.

 

[Scouzer]

did you actually drive the civic? its hard to say without actually having driven it...

 

[Heisenberg]

The shock/struts could certainly stand to be replaced with 78k miles assuming they haven't been before. I doubt you need new springs on a 5 year old car. As for parts, I would get a good gas-charged shock like KYB. Bilsteins are good too but not worth the price difference IMHO unless you're road racing the thing.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
did you actually drive the civic? its hard to say without actually having driven it...

Yea, I drove it for a week (my parents were out of town), going back to my car was hard

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
The shock/struts could certainly stand to be replaced with 78k miles assuming they haven't been before. I doubt you need new springs on a 5 year old car. As for parts, I would get a good gas-charged shock like KYB. Bilsteins are good too but not worth the price difference IMHO unless you're road racing the thing.

Yea, I'm looking at KYBs @ tirerack.com. 48 bucks for each strut/shock.

 

[Turkish]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
FYI - the car is a 1998 Nissan 200sx SE w/ 78k miles on it.

I've always though that the ride in my car was a little rough, but I'm beginning to think that my shocks/struts might be shot, and have been since I bought the vehicle. I seriously feel like I'm in one of those Chocolate Milk commercials where the harshness/bump-iness of my ride is enough to throughly mix the milk

After driving in my parents civic coupe, their suspension is worlds ahead of where mine is. It was nice a soft, and filtered out almost all of the harshness I woudl have felt in my 200sx.

Now, How do I know for sure what would needs to be replaced on my suspension, how can I tell if it's REALLY f'ed up?

I'm assuming that the shocks and struts need to be replaced, but do you think the springs do too? What brands to you guy suggest, or should I just go with stock parts? I'm going to have a local shop do the work.

I don't want to lower my vehicle, I just want a better and softer ride than what it feels like now

dude take a ride in mine and you'll see what a harsh ride is! The previous owner put the toughest ones in there and I never had the money & time to replace them.

 

[Quixfire]

Your car has a stiff suspension, they were built that way. Replacing the struts/shocks will not improve it unless you go with softer suspension components.

Your tires can have a lot to do with it. If you are running a low profile tire, 50 or less series, then the ride will seem even harsher.

 

[Gravity]

Originally posted by: Colt45
push it down, if it jiggles around its needs a fixin'

That used to be a good test. Nowadays it doesn't necessaryily work. Springs are slightly dampened from the days when that worked well as a test.

With 78k on the ticker, I'd say you are overdue for shox. Consider bilsteins if they make them for your car. Lifetime warranty and good units. You might also consider spring changes if you want to lower or tighten the ride.

good luck

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Your car has a stiff suspension, they were built that way. Replacing the struts/shocks will not improve it unless you go with softer suspension components.

Your tires can have a lot to do with it. If you are running a low profile tire, 50 or less series, then the ride will seem even harsher.

Ahha!~ I didn't think of the tires - yes, the current ones are kinda low profile, a set of Kumhos that were on the rims when I bought them....... GRRRR. What company makes softer suspension springs/shocks?!?!?!

 

[Gravity]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Your car has a stiff suspension, they were built that way. Replacing the struts/shocks will not improve it unless you go with softer suspension components.

Your tires can have a lot to do with it. If you are running a low profile tire, 50 or less series, then the ride will seem even harsher.

Ahha!~ I didn't think of the tires - yes, the current ones are kinda low profile, a set of Kumhos that were on the rims when I bought them....... GRRRR. What company makes softer suspension springs/shocks?!?!?!

Bilstein does. Koni makes adjustables. It might be a challenge to find shox/springs that will restore the factory feel in light of your low profile Khumos. Call the tire rack or discount tire, those guys rule when it comes to advice on your suspsension.

 

[Lucky]

Hah, you should feel my '92 civic with 150K. All original suspension, it feels like you are driving over a cheese grater.