What suspension should I buy?

[Tillax]

New poster! (less than 10 posts)

Guys,

I want to upgrade my suspension on my phase 2, which is currently standard. I use the car for fast road driving only and would like to lower the car but only very very slightly as I want the car to appear as close to standard as possible.

What are my options? I understand that the koni's are a good buy but are there any others I should consider? Also, will I need to specify a spring height or do the kits come with one spring height that you can adjust? Finally, when I replace the suspension should I replace anything else, bushes or anything?

Thanks in advance

[TNT Tricky Nicky]

Depends on your budget really, if money is no object then change all the available bushs for poly ones and fit coil overs which will allow you to adjust height, bounce and rebound which will allow full control and be adjustable to what ever you feel is best or just change springs and adjust torson bar to match will improve the handling, think a standard drop is about 35-40 mm

[Tillax]

New poster! (less than 10 posts)

Ok, thanks what coilovers do you recommend, I guess I don't want to spend more than 500 squids.

[raj]

id personally go with koni shocks and 30mm lowering springs.

also while everythings apart -

check your strut tops are ok.
replace bearings.
replace rubber doughtnuts bushes with polyurethane type.
replace top hats if cracked.

you could also fit poly wishbone bushes as you will have good access to them while the struts are out.

[Brigsy]

id personally go with koni shocks and 30mm lowering springs.

also while everythings apart -

check your strut tops are ok.
replace bearings.
replace rubber doughtnuts bushes with polyurethane type.
replace top hats if cracked.

you could also fit poly wishbone bushes as you will have good access to them while the struts are out.


:agree:

Koni yellow shocks are great for fast road. Check/replace suspension components, o.e spec bushes etc are cheap & spot on for road use.

[c7borg]

what sort of price are OE bushes for
2 x Front Strut Top Mounts (b grade)???
4 x Front Wishbone Bush
2 x Front Anti Roll Bar Outer Mount
2 x Front Anti Roll Bar Inner Mounts

in comparison to the poly ones for about £66 on ebay?

like these


I've never priced the OE ones up..

http://i23.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/ef/31/c2a3_1.JPG

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Renault-5-GT-Turbo-Front-Suspension-Chassis-Bush-Set_W0QQitemZ390025754467QQihZ026QQcategoryZ10410Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohost ing

[Brigsy]

A full new wishbone with new bushes & bottom balljoint is between £15-25.

Chances are if the wishbones have never been changed they will be looking pretty rough so will probably need replacing anyway.

[jure]

My bushes haven't been changed for whole cars life (110k km) and after i fitted poly ones I found new dimension of handling and ride comfort :smokin:

[Purple_rob]

A full new wishbone with new bushes & bottom balljoint is between £15-25.

Chances are if the wishbones have never been changed they will be looking pretty rough so will probably need replacing anyway.


Just my 2 pence of advice. I found that the wish bone bolts get stuck in the rubbers which means you cant get them out. Be preparred to get a set ready when you replace them.
CGB do a set for under 5 quid I think. ;)

[Duncan Grier]

As stated, Koni is the way forward and about -30-35mm drop, adjust the rear beam to match (higher than the front :D as per haynes manual) and adjust the rear brake compensator.

Changing the ball joints / bushes will feel very different in a good way (polybush is an option but cost is higher) maybe not really needed for the road only. Oh and refurb / change bush / bearing in the top mounts

Don't overlook getting the geo checked / setup also and prob worth checking the U/J conection on the steering rack. After that you should be a happy bunny :D

Enjoy!

[Brigsy]

Just my 2 pence of advice. I found that the wish bone bolts get stuck in the rubbers which means you cant get them out. Be preparred to get a set ready when you replace them.
CGB do a set for under 5 quid I think. ;)

Aye removal of the original wishbones on my car resulted in grinder action. A simple 1hr job turned into an all afternoon session:crap:

[i l k e r]

another vote here for Koni sport :agree:

[Ian S]

I'd recommend 250lb per inch springs though instead of the ones that come with the Koni kit.

[Nick k]

As stated, Koni is the way forward and about -30-35mm drop, adjust the rear beam to match (higher than the front :D as per haynes manual) and adjust the rear brake compensator.

Changing the ball joints / bushes will feel very different in a good way (polybush is an option but cost is higher) maybe not really needed for the road only. Oh and refurb / change bush / bearing in the top mounts

Don't overlook getting the geo checked / setup also and prob worth checking the U/J conection on the steering rack. After that you should be a happy bunny :D

Enjoy!

Koni :agree: With the correct springs!! I did'nt adjust my rear beam as the koni adjustables dropped the rear due to the length of them. Mallory nat 08 tried and tested. :D Dont loose your teeth either on the road. Great ride.

[Tillax]

New poster! (less than 10 posts)

Thanks for all yor help guys,

So the picture I'm getting is:

1) that the koni's are the ones but with different, 250lb per inch springs with 30-35mm drop, am I correct?

2) That I should consider a set of polybushes but will they shake teeth out?

3) Change the entire wishbone ball joint assembly?

4) Change the bearing in the top mount?

5)
Don't overlook getting the geo checked / setup also and prob worth checking the U/J conection on the steering rack. After that you should be a happy bunny :D And Duncan, I didn't understand this I'm afraid as I don't know what the "geo" is, Do you mean the tracking, alignment etc., I also don't know what a "U/J connection is". Please enlighten me!

Thanks again guys, it's interesting to see that you are almost all in agreement on this.

[renault5gtboi]

what sort of price are OE bushes for
2 x Front Strut Top Mounts (b grade)???
4 x Front Wishbone Bush
2 x Front Anti Roll Bar Outer Mount
2 x Front Anti Roll Bar Inner Mounts

in comparison to the poly ones for about £66 on ebay?

like these


I've never priced the OE ones up..

http://i23.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/ef/31/c2a3_1.JPG

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Renault-5-GT-Turbo-Front-Suspension-Chassis-Bush-Set_W0QQitemZ390025754467QQihZ026QQcategoryZ10410Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohost ing

are the above anygood compared to pwerflex ones?? :)

[RICHIE]

another vote here for Koni sport :agree:


and another one here:agree:

[The new Bill J]

New poster! (less than 10 posts)

2) That I should consider a set of polybushes but will they shake teeth out?

I wouldn't bother with Poly's bushes. A lot of people who say fitting poly bushes totally changed their car were replacing completely shot, often original bushes. It goes without saying that new standard bushes will be ten times as good as old, standard bushes.

While i'm here, i'll praise the Koni's as well :agree:

[Duncan Grier]

And Duncan, I didn't understand this I'm afraid as I don't know what the "geo" is, Do you mean the tracking, alignment etc., I also don't know what a "U/J connection is". Please enlighten me!

Thanks again guys, it's interesting to see that you are almost all in agreement on this.


Sorry should have made clearer - geo is tracking / alignment

U/J = universal joint - is a square metal block you can see when looking at the steering rack and connects the rack to the car steering wheel section. The rubber bush wears and you get sloppy steering ;) easy to change and not expensive

[Nick k]

He means geometry! Its a coventry thing :D Its abit like a chip batch. Its a chip cob :p

[Duncan Grier]

He means geometry! Its a coventry thing :D Its abit like a chip batch. Its a chip cob :p

Nick you know chip batch it the real name for it :D chip cob - have a word lol :D

[Nick k]

Lets see!! your votes in General Chat please!! :D

[MR TURBO]

I have Konis and Spax no complaints here!!!;)

[Tillax]

I wouldn't bother with Poly's bushes. A lot of people who say fitting poly bushes totally changed their car were replacing completely shot, often original bushes. It goes without saying that new standard bushes will be ten times as good as old, standard bushes.



Thanks Bill J, are you saying the poly bushes are a waste of cash?

Which would give the best ride and which would last longer?

[Tillax]

U/J = universal joint - is a square metal block you can see when looking at the steering rack and connects the rack to the car steering wheel section. The rubber bush wears and you get sloppy steering ;) easy to change and not expensive


Thanks duncan, that clears it up

[Duncan Grier]

For road use - standard bushes more than upto the job and will feel a lot better than the very old originals. Save the money unless your going on track ;)

[The new Bill J]

Thanks Bill J, are you saying the poly bushes are a waste of cash?

Which would give the best ride and which would last longer?

Personally, i'd spend the money on new wishbones, which come with new bushes already fitted, for about the same price as just a set of poly bushes :cool:

[Frix]

Personally, i'd spend the money on new wishbones, which come with new bushes already fitted, for about the same price as just a set of poly bushes :cool:

Anyone got part number for the wishbones?

[dangerous dave]

i got gaz and there fooooooooking hard, i like them but others find them hard to get along with..

settings are-

1 . rock fecking hard

or if you need it a little softer you can twiddle the knob so there

2 . still rock fecking hard

i have poly bushes so its uber tight and suits me at the mo with a hefty drop front and rear.. whats best? i dont know, but i think i'd try the koni's next.. :)

as said above, lowering = toe out

[Woznaldo]

I'd recommend 250lb per inch springs though instead of the ones that come with the Koni kit.

What is the spring rate that's supplied with the Konis?

[Ian S]

I would guess somewhere between 150 and 200lbs.

I previously had 175lb per inch and that was a LOT better than standard springs. The 250's were a similar order of magnitude better again.

When I went back to them, having given the 250's to Brad to try, there was much more understeer on entry, through and exit of slow and fast corners / bends.

The softer springs were also a bit taller, about 1/2 inch. I don't know if the height change had an effect.

I ordered a specific open length for the 250's. I forget now what that was, but it might have been 8 1/2 inch. But with the front wheels jacked off the ground the springs were just lose in the seats. No shorter would be possible unless of course there was a softer longer turn or two to take up the slack.

[markey b]

i got gaz and there fooooooooking hard, i like them but others find them hard to get along with..

settings are-

1 . rock fecking hard

or if you need it a little softer you can twiddle the knob so there

2 . still rock fecking hard

i have poly bushes so its uber tight and suits me at the mo with a hefty drop front and rear.. whats best? i dont know, but i think i'd try the koni's next.. :)

as said above, lowering = toe out


same here, dog**** on the road but amazing round snetterton lol

[Tillax]

Thanks for the info on the GAZ suspension kit guys, I don't think it will be suitable for me though, too many fecking speed humps near me. I love speed humps, they're my favorite thing!

So... my shopping list at the moment is:


Koni sport suspension kit
30-35mm drop springs 250lbs
replacement wishbone/ball joint assembly
top mount bearings and bushes
strut tops and top hats (not sure about these? I guess they only need replacing if they're buggered!?)
Did I miss anything?

[Tillax]

Incidently, just in case anyone's interested, the cheapest I can find them for is £344.08 at

http://www.dcdezign.com/cheap/722/renault/koni/suspension-kits-ssk/ssk10.html

if anyone knows of a cheaper price, please let me know