Suspension Advice...

[Chino_UK]

Ok I have the following mods:

AP Coilovers
Cupra Bushes
SuperPro Front Poly Bushes
Forge Front Strut Brace
Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar

But I'll be quite honest...I've never been impressed with the handling. It still can't come close to my old go-kart Corsa setup...but it's getting better.

The front end has seen a marked improvement since the new bushes went on, the rear beam is still on standard bushing. Car is nice and stiff at front but the back end wallows a bit.

I've currently got the RARB on medium setting which I intend to swap to its stiffest setting and considering getting the rear bush polybushed.

Any other suggestions? Am I just going to have to admit I need stiffer-damping coilies?

 

[cupra.al]

your wheels could also be helping the not so great handling if they weight loads.
ive never tryed my rear arb on any other setting other than stiff but when it was fitted the difference it made was amazing and thats on standard suspension.

 

[ibiza_1.4tdi]

get an eibach front antiroll bar, ive got one on my ibiza, with cupra bushes and polybushes and it handles very well now. Even with a heavy diesel engine in the front

 

[Chino_UK]

I must admit, even tho the wheels aren't the most expensive, they are really light, with good tyres on...hmmm. Just gotta wait for this weather to dry up and I'll get me RARB stiffened up, thanks

How long did it take to get the front ARB swapped over? You have to drop the subframe, correct?

 

[ibiza_1.4tdi]

How long did it take to get the front ARB swapped over? You have to drop the subframe, correct?

It wasnt to long to be honest, but its a job were you need to be very methodical, and double check evreything, i jacked the front of the car up and then used a bottle jack to lower the front subframe after taking all the bolts out. the car will need to go to have a full alignment after aswell. However if you wark the holes etc and put in back in the same place you know your some where near.

 

[BKR]

rear spacers will make a nice difference

i had some on my car with just lowering springs on it and there was such an improvement in back end grip and took away loads of understeer

 

[ibiza64]

i want to lower my ibiza mk4 but i dont know if i should just get springs or coilovers. im not track racing or anything! just want a little lower ride with the handling improvements. suggestions??

cheers

 

[Chino_UK]

From my experience with lowering springs in the past, you always tend to lose out on comfort. I'll give it to these AP's, even when i had them wound quite low they were still OE level of ride comfort.

 

[ibiza64]

so basically, springs and coilovers do the same job.....but you just get better ride comfort with coilovers coz the shocks are uprated? ive seen a a set of coilovers on ebay for 158 quid new....is this too good to be true? heres the link....can you advise? compared with these springs from apex......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apex-Lowering...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4a9ac47a46

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Coilover-Heig...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item19b8f41915

advice would be great pal.

cheers

 

[Chino_UK]

I'm always wary about cheap coilovers after the whole hottuning/TATechniks thing, basically cheap, poor quality coilies that break easy. I think its around £300 for a set of AP's like mine, wouldn't go much cheaper for coilies tbh mate.

 

[ibiza64]

so shall i go with the apex? they are a good make iirc? and the price is about right?

 

[rich3001]

so basically, springs and coilovers do the same job.....but you just get better ride comfort with coilovers coz the shocks are uprated? ive seen a a set of coilovers on ebay for 158 quid new....is this too good to be true? heres the link....can you advise? compared with these springs from apex......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apex-Lowering...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4a9ac47a46

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Coilover-Heig...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item19b8f41915

advice would be great pal.

cheers

The coilovers in the link come with a 3 year warrenty, so if you do have problems you can always fall back on that, ive heard lots of good things about AP coilovers tho. Cant comment on the springs as all my mates are on coilovers.

 

[ibiza64]

so i can go with those coilovers then? also im looking at spacers. do you have to have hubcentric? and what mm is the best to get? cheers.

 

[rich3001]

so i can go with those coilovers then? also im looking at spacers. do you have to have hubcentric? and what mm is the best to get? cheers.

I would tthink that you can as the warrenty says that it covers workmanship errors and materials, but i also dont know of anyone who has fitted theses. Alot of people go with the hub centric but its completly up to you but im not sure on the cost difference between the types. Im not sure on the spacer size tbh as i havent fitted any to mine yet, its on my to do list lol but ive seen 15 - 20 mm mentioned a few times.

 

[onepointtwo]

The coilovers in the link come with a 3 year warrenty, so if you do have problems you can always fall back on that, ive heard lots of good things about AP coilovers tho. Cant comment on the springs as all my mates are on coilovers.

Would they pass an MOT/NCT

 

[ibiza64]

why would they not pass an mot? and what is NCT?

 

[rich3001]

Would they pass an MOT/NCT

why would they not pass an mot? and what is NCT?

I cant see a reason why they wouldnt pass one as long as its not lowered so much you cant get on the ramp at the garage. A NCT is Ireland equivelant to our MOT

 

[ibiza64]

why would they fail tho?? whats the test?

 

[cupra.al]

why would they fail tho?? whats the test?

they wouldnt unless it was leaking bent or mounted completly wrong or as said to low to get on the ramp or brake tester.

 

[DEAN0]

why would they not pass an mot? and what is NCT?

If the spring becomes loose when the car is lifted off the floor they will fail an MOT.

The spring must be secure at all points in the suspension travel.

The better coilover kits also have shortened damper rods to stop the spring coming loose.