Suspension just terrible--who's got a fix for this?
I love everything about my Insight but the ride; feeling every bump in the pavement is NOT what I signed up for. Anyone have a lead on who makes better shocks/struts/springs to better the harsh ride, and who to contact?
If you have the stock tires pumped up to the stock pressures, the ride is not too bad. Are you using the 50 psi theory? If so, you will indeed feel every bump.
The problem is that the rear suspension bottoms out if there is significant weight in the car. Yves, one of the moderators, made a set of spacer discs for the rear springs. That would be a cheap fix. There is another owner who posted describing custom springs. Sorry I don't have the links. Just wanted to let you know that there are solutions.
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Kip Munro
The laws of physics don't need changing, but rather our attitude and values. 72.8 LMPG
The LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) OEM tires are the main (and cheapest) items to replace which will dramatically improve ride and handling. But the down side is expect a 12%+- reduction in ultimate MPG ability.
If their Bridgestone RE92's their the OEM's.
Kip, AFAI remember the shocks / springs were for an auto crosser in here. Don't think it would soften the ride any.
Right, would not soften the ride unless the travel was increased, but if bottoming out is the problem, it might work. This summer I was occasionally driving around with a passenger, a weeks supply of groceries and a full set of renovation tools. Not fun at all!!!!!!!!!!!
Fortunately it was only for short distances.
I seem to recall there was a thread about air adjustable suspension components as well. That would be the best by far. Got to figure something out there. Dang, I wish I had some time. Soon, soon!
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Kip Munro
The laws of physics don't need changing, but rather our attitude and values. 72.8 LMPG
Replacing the skinny OEM 165/65R14 tires with 185/60R14 touring tires will increase ride comfort noticeably.
Personally I wish my Insight had even stiffer suspension :twisted:
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2000 Insight 5spd with 290,000 Km
Daily driver (previously used for autoslalom & track lapping)
Collision avoidance and Track driving instructor
The Insight is a Caddy compared to my MINI . Well honestly, the Insight only weighs 1800lbs and it "jumps" some over bumps like it's under dampened. Now, with 80k miles, I can really feel the shocks need replaced. I'd like some aftermarket company lke Koni to come out with a nice adjustable shock for the Insight.
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-2000 NF Red
-64.6 LMPG
-JVC El Kameleon HU, JVC 12 disc changer, Infinity Kappa 3-ways up front and Alpine 2-ways in the rear
I'd like some aftermarket company lke Koni to come out with a nice adjustable shock for the Insight.
KONI won't ever make an off the shelf shock/strut replacement. To low of number of vehicles, plus who would ever think of racing and Insight
With that said, I had a set of custom KONI's made for my Insigt. The fronts are single adjustable from the top at the strut towers, under the hood. The rears are double adjustable. I have the rebound set at mid stiff and the rears are at only 2 turns, which is about 1/4 full stiff. When I race I can get the suspension very, very stiff in either the rear or the front. It works very well for Autox :twisted: They are a huge improvement over the stock struts and shocks, but they are not for an improved ride. They were purely developed for performance, and they do a very good job. I have run them at full soft in the rear and front and you just float all over the place. Tires will make a much bigger difference to soften the ride at a much lower price.
If any one is interested I can have a set of the KONI's made by Pro Parts. The cost would be around $1700.00 for the complete set. Once the new KONI's are installed you would have to send in your old set as some parts are used for the new KONI's.
I ride on 155/80/13 in winter on VX rims and it's night and day. So much more comfortable it's like a different car. I'll look into getting another set of 13" rims for summer next year. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Insight should have come stock with 155/80/13 tires. No reason for anything bigger on such a small and light car. The 14's are only there to make it look a bit more actual in the sales brochures.
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Suspension just terrible--who's got a fix for this?
. Well honestly, the Insight only weighs 1800lbs and it "jumps" some over bumps like it's under dampened. Now, with 80k miles, I can really feel the shocks need replaced. I'd like some aftermarket company lke Koni to come out with a nice adjustable shock for the Insight.
