General Softer suspension on punto mk2 hgt

[owlmaker1]

Hi, anyone got any ideas on how to make a softer ride on the punto 1.8 HGT. I live in an area of somerset that quite clearly the council have forgotten how to make roads flat, would coil springs from a mk2 1.2 or 1.4 make any difference. I chopped in a Alfa Romeo 147 for this vehicle as the suspension on the Alfa fell apart, as did the one before. My fillings are working loose again and would like a softer ride.
Many Thanks

 

[Citizen Smith]

Hi, anyone got any ideas on how to make a softer ride on the punto 1.8 HGT. I live in an area of somerset that quite clearly the council have forgotten how to make roads flat, would coil springs from a mk2 1.2 or 1.4 make any difference. I chopped in a Alfa Romeo 147 for this vehicle as the suspension on the Alfa fell apart, as did the one before. My fillings are working loose again and would like a softer ride.
Many Thanks

Springs are quite specific and are made to handle a certain amount of weight - the 1.2/1.4 springs probably won't fit iirc and wouldn't be strong enough for the weight of the 1.8.

What I would look at would be to go the route of changing the dampers for some adjustable ones which you can tweek for your own requirements. Koni/spax adjustables with some Eibach springs would definately improve things but can cost a bit tbh.

 

[maddogmorg]

what size alloys/tyres do you have? perhaps reduce alloy size and increase tyre profile? what part of somerset do you hail from?

 

[owlmaker1]

Hi, thanks for reply. Is it the damper that makes the ride so harsh, the damper stops "bounce" of the car over bumps doesn't it, or is it too heavy a guage coil spring that doesn't allow much lateral movement in the wheels so not absorbing shock but passes the shock through the car to passengers.

 

[owlmaker1]

Hi, thanks for reply, I got the bog standard 16" alloys with normal profile size tyres, I looked at this and also checked the tyre pressures, and all are at 32psi.
I hail from Paulton which is about equal distance between Bath and Wells.
Cheers

 

[auto_blanco]

I think the ride on the older Puntos always seems worse than it really is because the suspension is quite unrefined. My friends Mk1 Sporting is awful, pretty knackered tbh but still the noisiest suspension ever.

I think the key is to just make sure everything is in good condition, and maybe just drop tyre pressures when you are off the motorway.

I always found the 147 pretty smooth riding even on 17s (when its not a bit worn out) so the Punto will never be as good.

 

[Citizen Smith]

Hi, thanks for reply. Is it the damper that makes the ride so harsh, the damper stops "bounce" of the car over bumps doesn't it, or is it too heavy a guage coil spring that doesn't allow much lateral movement in the wheels so not absorbing shock but passes the shock through the car to passengers.

Shock absorbers are really an inappropriate name tbh as its the spring that absorbs the bumps and the damper controls the oscillation of the spring.

Getting uprated springs would help absorb the bumps better and the adjustment of the adj. dampers would tailor the soft/firmness to your liking.

 

[owlmaker1]

Hi, just looking through citizen smiths reply you mention uprating springs, any ideas about which to get, I don't want to lower the car, just fed up of biting my tongue when i hit a bump/pothole, any ideas would be good.
Thanks