Suspension questions

[Damo]

Hi all,
I got my FTO about six weks back but the Offaly roads are pretty crap and I'm bouncing all over the place. I don't really know much about sports suspensions or shocks but my car has "Tein" springs fitted, I wound these up last week and it improved quite a bit but it still doesn't seem to be near good enough and the handling doesn't seem to be as good now.
Some people have suggested as well getting a smaller wheels with a bigger tyre might help but I don't really want to do that as I like the wheels that are on it (I ahve 215,40,17 on it at the moment).
I've read all the differnt threads on suspension and tyres and still don't really know what to do?, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Damo

[dave100]

Damo, Jap suspensions are usually pretty hard. Back them off to their softest setting and see wot they are like. If still too firm then the spring rates are prob too high.
U can then either change the springs (contact tein UK) or else swap back to a more forgiving setup eg stock dampers with lowered springs.
Im sure you wont have a problem selling a set of Teins on the board or FTOOC UK

[Myfeckin FTO]

Hi all,
........ but my car has "Tein" springs fitted, I wound these up last week... ...............wheels that are on it ( 215,40,17 )
Damo

From the sounds of it you have the Tein Coilovers rather than springs.
Adjust them to the softest setting and fit 215/45/17 tyres for a bit more comfort.

I had Tein coilovers on a recent car and I sympathise - great for track - but no good for Irish roads - even at the softest setting they are just too hard.

If its still too uncomfortable - then sell the Teins and fit a set of KYB's and Apex springs - Should cost under €500 which is about as much as you could expect to get for the Teins on the UK forum - I doubt anyone on the Irish forum would buy them. The UK roads (and possibly Dublin) would suit these coilovers fine - but for anyone who has to drive a backroad in Ireland won't want these on their car.

[CJ]

Teins and Offaly roads just don't mix Damo!

This is probably what you've got installed:



http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... 0s586p2535

As per MfFTOs suggestion, the following would be a good replacement and offer up a softer ride:

KYB dampers: http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... b0s585p416
Apex lowering springs: http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... b0s584p412

CJ

[Damo]

Thanks very much for the advice guys, nobody around here was able to tell me what to do. I'll order the shocks and dampers from Camskill and let ye know how I got on. The last time I ordered from them I had the stuff in 2 days so I should have a new car by the weekend hopefully.

[Damo]

Guys, I took out one of the Teins on the front of the car yesterday to fit the new shocks and I discovered that the Springs won't fit the Strut tops that are on the Teins. I'm assuming that these are not the originals and they were changed to suit the Teins. Does anybody know if I can get new ones in this country from a mitsubishi dealer or would the ones from other Mitsubishi cars fit?

[Daz]

Guys, I took out one of the Teins on the front of the car yesterday to fit the new shocks and I discovered that the Springs won't fit the Strut tops that are on the Teins. I'm assuming that these are not the originals and they were changed to suit the Teins. Does anybody know if I can get new ones in this country from a mitsubishi dealer or would the ones from other Mitsubishi cars fit?

Steelroe is ya man he'll probably have some knocking about

Daz...

[Myfeckin FTO]

Guys, I took out one of the Teins on the front of the car yesterday to fit the new shocks and I discovered that the Springs won't fit the Strut tops that are on the Teins. I'm assuming that these are not the originals and they were changed to suit the Teins. Does anybody know if I can get new ones in this country from a mitsubishi dealer or would the ones from other Mitsubishi cars fit?

You have the Tein Top Mounts - very pricey.
Camskill or RiceRocket will likely be able to supply the OE parts.

Try sticking the Tein Coilovers and Top Mounts up for sale on the UK site.
You should get good interest for them - possibly enough to pay for your new set-up.

[paullen]

If they are Tein super streets, I might be interested. I have some OE top mounts I could swap too

Any idea how old the suspension is?

[Damo]

I'm not sure to be honest my car is 1998. Just spoke to mike at Camskill he said the topmounts should be the same but I just need some additional fittings for them he sent me a diagram to lookup the bits that I need.