i installed HD bilstein struts and shocks since they are for stock height.

wasnt sure what to expect just kept hearing they are worth it.

anyways the car corners unbelievably well, doesnt shake just takes it and holds it. i push on teh gas and just handles great!


but..


like it was with my stock struts and shocks i can feel every bump in teh road pretty hard

is this normal for bilsteins?

i guess they are more for racing on flat pavement

i only ask because if they are supposed to be smoother ill take them to a shop to get adjusted

me and my dad installed them ourselves to save on labor costs.

if its the way its supposed to be, fine just want to make sure because more comfortable wouldnt be bad either but whatever works

also did a front end steering rebuild and replaced the rear springs with moog iroc springs from spohn

also replaced all 4 sway bar links and bushings

also installed a wonderbar

anyone want to add any thoughts on how my car should feel on a not so perfect road?

 

Sounds normal to me. I also think an iroc suspension is too stiff since i mostly street drive my car. But its all about preference.

You compromise a little bit of comfort for handling.

 

ok thank you, yea i love how it handles just wish it didnt feel like the car was gona break apart everytime i go through an old road or contruction site haha

 

Try installing SFC's to firm up the body to take some of the shake out of it. They work wonders on 3rd gen uni-bodies.

 

yea i think after i get my xmas bonus ill do that first thing when spring comes.

in my mind i just figured sfc's were only useful for cornering so your cars body doesn't twist

but i did want them to begin with jsut wasn't priority until i got a few other things done

thanks guys been a big help

 

also, anything loose or worn in the suspension will negate the shock and spring's ability to absorb sudden impacts. Worn ball joints, worn bearings even, steering components, all that stuff. If they're loose, it changes where the force caused by the bumps in the road go.

 

yea the entire front end steering was replaced/greased up/ and tightened with a front end alignment done.

fresh tires

ball joints are the only things original mostly.

most of the bump i feel coming from the rear

 

I have the bilsteins on the rear of my IROC and it is a firm ride.
That doesn't sound normal so look it all over when you have it up on jackstands.
The spring insulators on top of the rear springs should isolate some noise. Did you reinstall them or were they missing?
Also the track bar can be broken and bang when you go over bumps.
You replaced the sway bar bushings and everything was tight there, right?
The torque arm connects to the rear end also you might check it.
I know of someone who had the upper support for the rear shock break and it rattled. Had to be rewelded.

 

I feel your pain,
Nobody ever seems to bring this issue up. The 3rd gen maro gives a bumpy feeling to it's driver, you can swap out all of your suspension and still have the same result. I have dual SFC's and if I hit a small bump @ 30mph it sounds like WWIII. Everyone says they dont have the problem but I think they really do and just ignore it because they build the car for performance driving anyway. I am a daily driver too..

I took all the interior out (except the dash) and drove and hit the same bump and still get loud noise.. IT'S LIKE THIS IN EVERY 82-92 MARO I EVER BEEN IN. This car gives a stiff ride. You really have to just love your 3rd gen to drive it.

It just seems to be the nature of the car.