suspension

[Ianjo]

I am in New Zealand and have a 1997 Mustang GT convertible.Stock springs lowered 1", Bilstiens rear and Munroes front,otherwise stock. Problem is it rides so harshly it nearly shakes my bowels loose. Its a convertible so no racing or powering up,street only.What suspension would soften the ride? Would going to coil over do it? It was harsh when completely stock and also when we had lowering springs in it. Can't seem to find a formula to soften the ride.

 

[AutodesignJohn]

You need to put in springs with a lower rate but with the same load. Spring rate is how much force it takes to compress per unit length. Spring load is how long the spring is when under the current weight of your vehicle. Basically you need to keep the ride height it's at and reduce the force to compress it. You can do calculations of both using an online calculator or you can find the formula needed (includes spring material, coil diameter, wire diameter, and active number of coils). Changing shock absorbers won't affect the feel besides how quickly the suspension compresses and how quickly it rebounds.

 

[GDawg]

If it's lowered you're not going to be able to get a soft ride back without bottoming out all the time.

 

[Ianjo]

You need to put in springs with a lower rate but with the same load. Spring rate is how much force it takes to compress per unit length. Spring load is how long the spring is when under the current weight of your vehicle. Basically you need to keep the ride height it's at and reduce the force to compress it. You can do calculations of both using an online calculator or you can find the formula needed (includes spring material, coil diameter, wire diameter, and active number of coils). Changing shock absorbers won't affect the feel besides how quickly the suspension compresses and how quickly it rebounds.

Thanks ,thats quite informative.

 

[Ianjo]

Thanks ,thats quite informative.