Coilover Dampening, Pre-Load, and Bumpiness Test

[AlexM.]

I think my coilovers are bumpier than "normal". I've read that the BC one's are supposed to be rocky but a couple of other enthusiasts from here and at my local Nissan dealership have got me a little worried. I think the bumpiness is tolerable and it's not uncomfortable anymore but I want to make sure everything's right.

Here are some videos showing the bumpiness at different dampening settings. The sad thing is it looks the same throughout all three videos. The 8F 3R setting does feel considerably smoother. But I still feel every bump and every shake, just not as harshly.

Dampening Test 1: 15 F, 8R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afr9WZh_QPs

Dampening Test 2: 8F, 8R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydkLEH0jaFE

Dampening Test 3: 8F, 3R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayNWomP1dYA

Some footage my girlfriend took otw to CCM8 took with camera in hand. Really shows the bumpiness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZtLit61ZxU


So, is this normal? Otw back from CCM8 I carried 3 people in my car and it felt much less bumpy. My friend thinks that this narrows down the problem to the preload but I'm not sure. Pre-Load is supposed to be proper from factory so I don't really wanna get into it.

Also, my ride is lower in the front than in the back (default coil height). Is this normal also?

Front


Rear


I'm not extremely savvy with this stuff so any help from you guys is much appreciated.

[johnnir3volution]

Have you tried 0F 0R? I've never tested that but Flores said it's a lot smoother than eibachs.

[DReed86]

I have D2 coils and mine are bumpy as hell. But I think thats just how coils are they are ment for smooth roads.

I doubt yours are bumpier than normal, they are just a lot bumpier than stock or Eibachs.

[AlexM.]

Have you tried 0F 0R? I've never tested that but Flores said it's a lot smoother than eibachs.

0F 0R sounds extreme. I'll try that another day as a last resort or something.

[johnnir3volution]

I have D2 coils and mine are bumpy as hell. But I think thats just how coils are they are ment for smooth roads.

I doubt yours are bumpier than normal, they are just a lot bumpier than stock or Eibachs.

I agree. Coilovers a usually made for track use and we people like to use them on bumpy azz streets

[illdraweyouapic]

yeahh i thought yours were really really bumpy than what i had in mind of bumpiness.


but mine are coming in tomorrow
but im installing after this weekend so ill text you when i get them install and we can compare

[LongBeachCoupe]

Some serious work went into taking/posting those videos instead of saying "my rides bumpy? normal?"

I am sure some of the guys with the BC will chime in... Loop... SNOOP A LOOP! Where you at? Darrrrryl... Chime in here boys!

[beeristasty]

I think my coilovers are bumpier than "normal". I've read that the BC one's are supposed to be rocky but a couple of other enthusiasts from here and at my local Nissan dealership have got me a little worried. I think the bumpiness is tolerable and it's not uncomfortable anymore but I want to make sure everything's right.

This looks about right to me. The damping settings on your coilovers control the speed and resistance of the compression & rebound. It looks like your struts are not compressing enough due to the high settings (or compressing and rebounding quickly), which is causing your harsh ride. Going to a lower setting will decrease the suspension's resistance to input, allowing it to 'work' easier and thus smoothing out the action.

I don't have BC's, but I am rolling on Teins and I have them set low, around 2F & 4R. Still a teeny bit on the harsh side with some stretches of road - gonna go lower to smooth it out a little more.

The 8F 3R setting does feel considerably smoother. But I still feel every bump and every shake, just not as harshly.

I would start over at 2F & 2R and see how it feels. Then incrementally go up or down depending on your tastes and repeat until you're happy (or run out of adjustment).

[AlexM.]

Thanks guys. Gonna try and keep rear at 3 and try maybe 4 front and see how that goes

[IBCoupe]

I drove through Manhattan on 25F 25R this weekend. Ow. I'm now thinking I'll put it down near 3 or 5 for both when I'm not planning on enthusiastic driving.

Now there's an odd chirping noise coming from the right side on bigger bumps... I think it's inside the cockpit, so I'm not particularly nervous.