Diminishing handling

[cynic-al]

I have noticed that my handling has been getting worse. Going over bumps you get thrown up in the air and banged down into the road, the car doesn't seem to grip as well on corners and just generally makes you feel unconfident when driving. It's covered around 52k and is a 1998 model, do you think it needs the shockers replacing or do you think it's perhaps a warn bush somewhere?

 

[Tom]

When you corner does it sorta wallow into the corner?

Rear shocks are usually the culprit.

 

[cynic-al]

yeah it does, it slides a lot too, i don't drive it much anymore, the car i drive mainly at the moment is a lot older and it feels bad compared to that.

Are they eay to do on the bravo and is it worth doing all at once?

 

[Tom]

Rears are a doddle, 2 bolts and they fall off. They wear quickly due to the lack of weight at the back, its very heavily damped.

 

[Paul R]

I have odered some coilovers for my HGT with adjustable damping...what do you suggest i set them at? i am more worried about ride rather then handling...oh and the boot will weigh abit!

Paul R

 

[Tom]

Quite soft, I'm assuming they are single adjustables which adjusts the rebound only. Overdamping won't/can't compensate for wrong spring/ARB rates.

The rears most likely won't be coilover and the fronts are technically coilover already

 

[Paul R]

they are adjustable damping and height! its a complete unit so i guess the spring will be right!

hieght wise i am going to go as low as poss... set it soft alround then?

Paul R

 

[Tom]

Set soft and then turn it up as you get used to it. Hopefully its got quite hard springs.

If its the kit Nico has or similar then the rears are not coilover, the spring sits in the normal place but has an adjustable spring seat.

 

[Paul R]

they are the model up from nicos... his dont have adjustable damping...

Why turn it up? i prefer a good ride what with my low profile tyres its going to be hard enough as it is! i am a poncy poser remember...

Paul R

 

[Tom]

To see what change it makes.

If you tip it into a corner and the body rolls over and then rolls back a bit you need more rebound damping. The danger of too much rebound damping is when you straighten out the car takes much longer to return to 'level flight' after the corner.

The FKs look like a nice kit but being the cheapskate I am and the fact I change rear shocks almost every year it would be rather expensive to have them on my car

 

[Paul R]

they look great! nico seem chuffed with his (spoke to him about them when i sore him) and thats why i am getting them!

Hopefully arrive this week! but i will believe it when i see it! (them)

do you really get though dampers that quick? how long do you think these dampers will last me (dont say how longs a bit of string!lol) just a guide...

Paul R

 

[Tom]

I have to drive over a lot of speed bumps Bloody local council.

I'm sure they would last a lot longer but after about 14 months I can feel the back getting loose and at £60 a set its not exactly expensive. My fronts are due for changing as they are over 2 years old. I'm thinking of the Bilstein sprintline kit, now I have alloys my car desperately needs lowering

 

[Paul R]

i will have some HGT dampers and springs if you are interested? they sit lower then a standard bravo dont they?

Paul R

 

[Tom]

The HGT is heavier and has higher rate springs, it would sit higher in a lighter car like the 1.6.

 

[Paul R]

LOL!!! the engine is out at the moment and it looks like a tractor!lol...best you dont fit that them then!

looks quite funny on stilt!

Paul R

 

[Tom]

The 5cly is a heavy old lump! It would be interesting to know if the HGT has a stronger rear ARB, the stock one is quite wussy.

 

[Paul R]

would it make much difference on the rear though?

Do you know where i can get new lower wish bones? fiat want £90 each!

Paul R

 

[Tom]

God yes, the rear is so lightly sprung anything would help.

http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/wishbone_display.php?txtmodel=Bravo&Submit=Next&txtmake=FIAT

Somewhat cheaper and they look identical (minus the FIAT logo)

 

[Paul R]

Thats F**king great!

Cheers

Do you think i should uprate any bushes? i think they are bonded to the wishbones arent they? recommend changing anything else on the set up to get the most out if (suspension wise)

Paul R

 

[Tom]

I've never liked poly bushes on road cars, they put a hell of a load on the chassis.

Change all the front ARB bushes and the droplinks while you have the donk out, its a bitch of a job with the engine in.