Anyone else disappointed with Eibach Pro-Kit ride quality? - Honda CRZ Forum: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums

jd_oc · 07-28-2011, 05:56 PM

I've been driving with the Pro-Kit springs for about 3 weeks now and am a little disappointed in the ride quality. I'm only referring to ride quality, not cornering performance (which is improved).

I know its all relative, but I my 2 previous cars were a 02 RSX lowered on Eibach pro-kit springs (which retained very good ride quality), and an 05 WRX STi which has notoriously stiff suspension. However, the ride in my CR-Z currently feels more harsh than even the STi, but in a different way. The best way I can describe it is 'bouncy' or overly progressive. It's worst at highway speeds on non-smooth roads which is the majority of my driving.

My question is, does anyone else feel this way, and has anyone swapped springs and noticed an improvement (swift, tein, tanabe)? It may not be the springs at all but a function of the suspension design not reacting well to lowering which I've seen mentioned before.

Finally, can anyone explain why they used such a drastically progressive spring in the rear? From their website:
Rear:
OE rate: 33 N/mm (190 lbs/in)
PK rate: Progressive 17-39 N/mm (97-222 lbs/in)

Seems strange to have the pro-kit springs start off at half the stiffness of OE springs, as that would cause a lot more suspension movement. Anyway, just thinking about what my options are (new springs, new dampers, or a full coilover set). I do love the look though as it's a perfect drop. I'm still using OEM 16" wheels and tires. Thanks in advance.

BasisSportTony · 07-28-2011, 08:23 PM

Lowering springs are all going to be progressive spring rates. The reason being is that the softer portion of spring is being compressed fully giving you that lowered effect while retaining a full spring height so that the spring doesnt sit loose when the car is up in the air. Or else they would make shorter springs with the same spring rate as factory or slightly stiffer.

Crappy Example but [\ \ \ \\\\] this is a progressive spring.

When the car is in the air the spring will be uncompressed and will be the same height as the stock spring.

When you put the car back on the ground the softer portion of the spring will be fully compressed and look like this.

[\\\\\\\] vs [\ \ \ \\\\]

Also with the harsh ride.... did you trim the bump stops on your car? When the CRZ is lowered anything over about 1.5" you will be riding completely on the bump stops which will give the car a much harsher ride. The stock shocks on the CRZ weren't meant for lowering springs since the shock stroke isnt long enough and when lowered you lose all shock travel.
Hope this helps.

sohcsol · 07-28-2011, 08:31 PM

What you are describing does not sound normal. With any lowering spring there will be a compromise in ride quality because you can only do so much to work with the stock struts. I have not heard of any complaints with the eibachs though, and thought they rode fairly well, actually liked them better than stock.

Id have to ask, did you install them yourself, and if so did you cut the bump stops down both front and rear? If not I could see it causing the ride you describe, because it would frequently bottom out on the bump stops.

If this isnt the case, I would wonder if the springs didnt come from a bad batch, maybe call eibach and try swapping out the rears since it only takes a few minutes, and this is where you get the most feeling from.

SuiteMike · 07-28-2011, 08:40 PM

Since you have experience with Eibach Pro Kit...I personally dont have it installed, but your the first I have heard to compare saying the ride is alot harsher than it ussually is on other cars, only thing I can think of is find someone who as it in your area and take a ride int heir car to see if its any different or the same, and if different maybe take it back to the shop you got it installed at, unless you did it yourself.

Whocares05050 · 07-28-2011, 08:41 PM

Dont take this the wrong way....

You bought springs. This is by far (aside from cutting the stock springs) the cheapest way to lower a vehicle. If you lower a vehicle, on stock struts, then you are only asking for issues. Your stock struts are designed to handle the stock springs. You change the springs, you should also change the struts to and aftermarket equivalent to handle the extra abuse the lowered car will give it.

lowering a car on springs has its trade-offs. If you are daily driving the car, then springs AND struts would be just fine. If you are tracking the car, then adjustable coilovers is what the doctor ordered. I understand why thousands of people only lower their vehicles with springs (because of cost and they dont want to wait and save up for coilovers or dont think they are going to be much difference).

If you are going to do something right, do it the first time and be done with it. If the car looks good with the springs, and the ride is not "terrible" then you got your moneys worth for 200 bucks.

really, thats all aftermarket springs are good for, is looks. Ive had eibach, tein, and a few other brands. the ride was not "bad" but it wasnt factory. Ive learned over the years that in order to get what you want you have to pay. Its like adding an aftermarket stereo and complaining that it dont sound stock or adding aftermarket wheels and saying the ride comfort is changed. OF COURSE.

Get a nice set of coilovers, adjust them for your preferences and call it a day.

EDIT: Everyone is different. What may feel like a rough ride to you, another may think its great. IJS

Scotty001 · 07-28-2011, 08:41 PM

I have not had similar issues.. Ride is still to my liking. Also curious as to the bump stop question..

Eibach Specs:
Front Bump Stop - Trim 15mm (.59") from the bottom
Rear Bump Stop - Trim 17mm (.669") from the bottom

And looking forward to Whocare's CR-Z suspension mods.. and impressions..

Whocares05050 · 07-28-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty001

I have not had similar issues.. Ride is still to my liking. Also curious as to the bump stop question..

Eibach Specs:
Front Bump Stop - Trim 15mm (.59") from the bottom
Rear Bump Stop - Trim 17mm (.669") from the bottom

And looking forward to Whocare's CR-Z suspension mods.. and impressions..

LMAO

STOCK! For now... I buy to many damn firearms to seriously dump money in the CR-Z

EDIT: Theres nothing wrong with adding just springs, as long as the user is aware that the struts will start to blow out around 10k miles and not 40k miles. so replace them with good aftermarket ones or enjoy a crappy, bouncy ride.

Scotty001 · 07-28-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whocares05050

LMAO

EDIT: Theres nothing wrong with adding just springs, as long as the user is aware that the struts will start to blow out around 10k miles and not 40k miles. so replace them with good aftermarket ones or enjoy a crappy, bouncy ride.

OK - probably a few variable such as road conditions - driving habits etc that play into the equation.. Time will tell as many users here have springs.. We'll see.

Back to OPs issue. Still interested in the bump stop question..

JCRZ · 07-28-2011, 10:15 PM

I've never been a huge fan of eibach springs never really appreciated the ride quality. I went swift bc I honestly believe that out of the companies out who makes springs they are the best. I've also had good experience with H&R springs. But whocares is right you compromise alot of aspects with springs. Sometimes is better to just go with coilovers and avoid the trial and error but when swift came out with the lot for us I didn't hesitate.

jd_oc · 07-28-2011, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. The springs were installed by a very good tuner shop and they correctly cut the bumpstops. The ride isn't terrible, just worse than my lowered RSX which is the closest comparison I have. I went 90,000 miles on stock RSX struts without issues. I'm interested in the swift springs as their literature explains a lot of the benefits of their design. Or just splurge and go coilovers.

07-28-2011, 05:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
jd_oc Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 31	Anyone else disappointed with Eibach Pro-Kit ride quality? I've been driving with the Pro-Kit springs for about 3 weeks now and am a little disappointed in the ride quality. I'm only referring to ride quality, not cornering performance (which is improved). I know its all relative, but I my 2 previous cars were a 02 RSX lowered on Eibach pro-kit springs (which retained very good ride quality), and an 05 WRX STi which has notoriously stiff suspension. However, the ride in my CR-Z currently feels more harsh than even the STi, but in a different way. The best way I can describe it is 'bouncy' or overly progressive. It's worst at highway speeds on non-smooth roads which is the majority of my driving. My question is, does anyone else feel this way, and has anyone swapped springs and noticed an improvement (swift, tein, tanabe)? It may not be the springs at all but a function of the suspension design not reacting well to lowering which I've seen mentioned before. Finally, can anyone explain why they used such a drastically progressive spring in the rear? From their website: Rear: OE rate: 33 N/mm (190 lbs/in) PK rate: Progressive 17-39 N/mm (97-222 lbs/in) Seems strange to have the pro-kit springs start off at half the stiffness of OE springs, as that would cause a lot more suspension movement. Anyway, just thinking about what my options are (new springs, new dampers, or a full coilover set). I do love the look though as it's a perfect drop. I'm still using OEM 16" wheels and tires. Thanks in advance.

07-28-2011, 08:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
sohcsol Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 564	What you are describing does not sound normal. With any lowering spring there will be a compromise in ride quality because you can only do so much to work with the stock struts. I have not heard of any complaints with the eibachs though, and thought they rode fairly well, actually liked them better than stock. Id have to ask, did you install them yourself, and if so did you cut the bump stops down both front and rear? If not I could see it causing the ride you describe, because it would frequently bottom out on the bump stops. If this isnt the case, I would wonder if the springs didnt come from a bad batch, maybe call eibach and try swapping out the rears since it only takes a few minutes, and this is where you get the most feeling from. __________________ 2011 CR-Z EX, 6MT, CBP, #7960

07-28-2011, 10:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
JCRZ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Hartford, CT Posts: 1,783	I've never been a huge fan of eibach springs never really appreciated the ride quality. I went swift bc I honestly believe that out of the companies out who makes springs they are the best. I've also had good experience with H&R springs. But whocares is right you compromise alot of aspects with springs. Sometimes is better to just go with coilovers and avoid the trial and error but when swift came out with the lot for us I didn't hesitate. __________________ "For those 17 seconds or more, I'm free..."

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07-28-2011, 08:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Whocares05050 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 252	Dont take this the wrong way.... You bought springs. This is by far (aside from cutting the stock springs) the cheapest way to lower a vehicle. If you lower a vehicle, on stock struts, then you are only asking for issues. Your stock struts are designed to handle the stock springs. You change the springs, you should also change the struts to and aftermarket equivalent to handle the extra abuse the lowered car will give it. lowering a car on springs has its trade-offs. If you are daily driving the car, then springs AND struts would be just fine. If you are tracking the car, then adjustable coilovers is what the doctor ordered. I understand why thousands of people only lower their vehicles with springs (because of cost and they dont want to wait and save up for coilovers or dont think they are going to be much difference). If you are going to do something right, do it the first time and be done with it. If the car looks good with the springs, and the ride is not "terrible" then you got your moneys worth for 200 bucks. really, thats all aftermarket springs are good for, is looks. Ive had eibach, tein, and a few other brands. the ride was not "bad" but it wasnt factory. Ive learned over the years that in order to get what you want you have to pay. Its like adding an aftermarket stereo and complaining that it dont sound stock or adding aftermarket wheels and saying the ride comfort is changed. OF COURSE. Get a nice set of coilovers, adjust them for your preferences and call it a day. EDIT: Everyone is different. What may feel like a rough ride to you, another may think its great. IJS

07-28-2011, 10:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
jd_oc Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 31	Thanks for the replies guys. The springs were installed by a very good tuner shop and they correctly cut the bumpstops. The ride isn't terrible, just worse than my lowered RSX which is the closest comparison I have. I went 90,000 miles on stock RSX struts without issues. I'm interested in the swift springs as their literature explains a lot of the benefits of their design. Or just splurge and go coilovers.