Supension dilemma

Slugoid · Postby **Slugoid** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:49 pm

Hi, I have a big suspension dilemma. I have a 89' NA6 and when I got it it had King springs and some aftermarket shocks (not a brand I know, but I'll check on it soon). Ride is very bouncy so I figured that the shocks might have gone. Then my friend notices that the Kings look overly compressed, but I'm not 100% sure of this. So could it be the shocks that are worn or the kings have worn or a combination of both?? I would naturally think the springs will last way longer than the shocks. I would be devistated if I had to replace both.

If anyone has pics of their rides with Kings installed, can you send them to me?? My email is slugoid@hotmail.com. I'm not sure if that's a good way to see if my springs have sagged or not. Would places like Pedders be able to find out??

These questions are driving me nuts....any reply will do! Thanks.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:59 pm

King springs have a nasty reputation of sagging.
Mine have sagged over the years. i ended up raising the hts on the konis.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:14 pm

Also check hts
measure from centre of wheel to the centre of the rear lip of fender

I'll measure it as well tonight.....

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:06 pm

rear passenger side 330mm
rear driver side 320mm

also seems to be pretty common to have the passenger side higher with the Koni & king combbo.

bahhh only 10mm probably nothing for a weekend warrior

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:28 am

The driver side tends to be a bit lower on the stock springs as well. My NA was about 10mm lower on the drivers side.

Slugoid · Postby **Slugoid** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:42 pm

Just measured the height

320mm both rears, then 310mm front right and 315mm front left.

Why is the drivers side lower?? With the driver in it will be even lower....wouldn't it be better if the drivers side was slightly higher?? I dunno, I'm not an automotive engineer.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:53 pm

sounds like your delima isn't that bad. are your bump stops trimmed?

thats what my car looks like

The NA

Slugoid · Postby **Slugoid** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:32 pm

Not exactly sure, but prob not since it doesn't look as low as yours, and I have 16's on. Pic:
http://members.optusnet.com.au/slugoid/IMG_0006.jpg

More good news. I actually have KYB Super Special shocks on (sold on Japan only)! Although I'm not 100% sure because on the website they are silver, but mine are white. At least I know they are some sort of KYB adjustables and if worst comes to worst, I can go revalve them.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:55 am

Slugoid wrote:Why is the drivers side lower?? With the driver in it will be even lower....wouldn't it be better if the drivers side was slightly higher?? I dunno, I'm not an automotive engineer.

The car is old, probably had one occupant (driver) most of the time and thus the springs have sagged. Mine was like that too but new springs fixed it.

r0gue · Postby **r0gue** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:00 pm

If we assume that you have King Lows in there and not replacement OEM's from King Springs, then yes the spring will look compressed.

Your problem is caused by the rebound of the spring not being dampened by the shock absorber. So a cheap Monroe w/- a King low spring will always bounce a little, even if the shock is brand new.

What you need is to upgrade the shock to something better. Minimum would be Monroe GT gas, preferably Koni or KYB - something of a better calibre than the ole cheapo shock.

Slugoid · Postby **Slugoid** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:44 am

r0gue wrote:If we assume that you have King Lows in there and not replacement OEM's from King Springs, then yes the spring will look compressed.

Your problem is caused by the rebound of the spring not being dampened by the shock absorber. So a cheap Monroe w/- a King low spring will always bounce a little, even if the shock is brand new.

What you need is to upgrade the shock to something better. Minimum would be Monroe GT gas, preferably Koni or KYB - something of a better calibre than the ole cheapo shock.

I think I have King lows (yellow). I've realised that the main problem was with the shocks, but could sagged springs contribute to more bouncing? That was my main concern. From what I know so far, my springs are ok, just the shocks. Then I found out that my shocks are set to the softest setting (KYB Super Special). So for now i've set the shocks harder and see that happens. At worst, a rebuild or new shocks. I was worrying that the springs might have gone too, which would mean more $$.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:54 am

Slugoid wrote:I think I have King lows (yellow).

Colour is no guide - mine are yellow but standard ride height.

Slugoid wrote:........but could sagged springs contribute to more bouncing?

Nope, the shocks stop the bouncing - that's their job.

sabretooth · Postby **sabretooth** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:54 am

Tons of pics of Kings + Konis here: Shocks - Koni adjustables install (NA).

On the coils of your springs, look for a small tag on the springs (take the wheel off if you have to). The model number should be there, eg KM-FL52. These will tell you which model spring you have.