Shocks too stiff

[pixelparadigm]

My front shocks are too stiff (they are gas-type btw). I can feel at my bottom every grain on the road. Every potholes that I run onto feels like the chassis' gonna fall apart. Tyre pressure is just about 30psi and doing 100kph in this car feels like its gonna fly. It's jumpy too. The front shocks was replaced by Rapide, and the vehicle I'm talking about is a Toyota Liteace.

Ganito ba talaga ride nito originally? Or is there a way to lessen the stiffness of the shocks?

[vinj]

If you just installed them, try to give it some time as they soften up over use.

Just hope they installed them properly... did you check your bumpstops?

[Shadetree MKNX]

"Too jumpy".

Sounds like it's the springs that are too stiff. YOu sure you dint put lowering springs in your car?

BTW, stiff springs or shocks never "wear in" and become more compliant over a few months. You're better off replacing the item rather than waste your time and money wearing it out.

[pixelparadigm]

I have no idea in terms of the parts that make up the underside of our car. But the shocks has been installed there already for a year.

[Shadetree MKNX]

I have no idea in terms of the parts that make up the underside of our car. But the shocks has been installed there already for a year.

Push down over one tire (or corner) with your full weight and the vehicle should "sink quickly" about 1-2 inches. If not, your springs and/or anti-roll bars are too stiff. On the other hand, if the vehicle sinks slowly, then the shocks are too stiff.

Don't buy expensive "gas-charged" shocks as they tend to be stiffer than the cheaper regular shocks.

If it is the springs that are too stiff, try to see if your local auto parts store has a softer version for your vehicle. Chances are your van may have come from a foreign market, and may even have been originally a right-hand drive vehicle.

[niky]

I agree with Shadetree... sounds like the springs are too stiff or maybe the shocks are too soft... it can happen with non-OEM shocks after such a long period, especially if the brand is dubious.

[orly_andico]

niky,

i have a similar issue. i've replaced all the shocks on my 626 with gas shocks, as well as (most) of the rubber stuff underneath. the only broken parts are the rear trailing arm bushings.

the funny thing is, pag nalubak yung harap na gulong, it really sounds as if the suspension is gonna come apart!! (parang wala siyang strut mounts, pero meron naman, napalitan na).

i don't know if the suspension is too stiff or the springs are or what. i've been meaning to go to zee and have them have a look at it because the road noise is quite annoying on anything except very smooth surfaces (e.g. NLEX good, SLEX bad, EDSA bad...)

nga pala... i don't think "Tokico" shocks are dubious. :P yun yung pinalit ko eh.

[niky]

sad... makalampag ba talaga ang mga chariots natin? (have a 626 in the back of the garage. ).

I think the springs are way stiff. I just replaced the rear springs, and I was having a look at the stock, ten year old front springs... they're much stiffer than brand new springs on most cars. As an aside, magkano Tokico? :D

[orly_andico]

niky,

you may be right. i got to ride in another 626 and i noticed exactly the same symptom -- when it goes over rough pavement it's like someone is drumming on the bottom. mine is actually noiser than a friend's 1st-gen City! (granted the City is a few years newer, but still..)

how much were your replacement springs, anyway? i have noticed (when the struts were replaced) that the springs are indeed really beefy. Much, much beefier than say, a pizza-pie Lancer i was next to (I don't think the 626 is much heavier than a pizza pie).

i got my tokico gas shocks 2 years (and 15,000km) ago for 2200 apiece i believe (autorama in banawe) -- yeah, I don't drive much. According to dustbury.com's 626/MX6/probe technical info, tokico gas shocks ought to be good for 100,000 km. kaya di ako makapaniwala na (baka) sira na shocks ko, although a friend of mine with similar-age shocks went to Zee and they said the shocks needed recharging. Duh?

[orly_andico]

as an aside pala, eibach does have springs for the 626. if my (limited) experience and pagtatanong-tanong is any guide, konti lang difference ng eibach sa OEM in terms of price. but then you wouldn't want OEM right? (too stiff)

[niky]

I'd rather go for new shocks... maybe I will look up Tokicos next time I hit Banaue.

[chris_d]

Same problem with my accord, the ride is too stiff, our old car is more comfy, though a bit more bouncy and more body roll during cornering. The springs and suspension in general has been made for highway cruising.

[chain]

bring it to zee and have toti assess it.