Aveo Spring Mod w/Pics!!

[JoelR]

I think that's a safe assumption. I don't personally know of a car less than 30 years old that's needed its worn out/ sagging coil springs replaced. You hear about such things on older cars but I don't know if the reason is age, quality of materials or design (eg springs too soft to begin with).

[Balboa]

The monroe shocks worked great for me. I noticed that at 70-80mph the rear still feels too soft on dips, but bottoming out has reduced significantly. I'd like the Aveo springs but I don't want the rear raised. I wish someone could be the guinea pig and cut the aveo springs.

[Need4Speed]

Years ago I cut down a set of springs for a 1969 mustang. About an hour each with a hack saw, needed to be a diamond covered one. What a pain. A regular hacksaw blade barely made a dent before the blade lost it cutting ability.

For better handling does the insight have a rear sway bar?

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by Need4Speed

For better handling does the insight have a rear sway bar?

The rear axle is a twist beam that resists one wheel moving differently from the other wheel which is what a sway bar does. However, the Insight's rear suspension is pretty crude compared with rear suspensions on some other Honda models. I guess it's a relatively light design that doesn't impinge on interior space as much as other designs.

[buzzard]

I appreciate these forum discussions...they sure save a lot of research time and trial and error time!

Now that my wheels are off the car and being prepped for painting, I'm looking at brakes, wheel bearings, suspension components, and so forth. I've read the thread on rear spring and shock replacement and have a question. Can anyone provide the factory part number for the Matiz rear springs?

I think it may be 96187433 but another source suggests 96316749. If anyone can confirm the correct part number (of if those two numbers are for different years but will both work okay in an Insight), I'll do further hunting for springs.

One idea is to contact Chinese manufacturers such as Tianjin/Ningbo in Shanghai and order a bunch of new springs. Many of those manufacturers will not sell less than 300 springs so we'd need to have a fair sized list of folks who would like to do the spring replacement. But, if I had the correct part number and if my friend's wife who is fluent in Shanghai Chinese will help, we can contact parts manufacturers and get a ballpark idea of cost with shipping.

Anybody interested?

Buzzard out

[Balboa]

I'm interested but I am too cheap. I'd be willing to spend about $80 or so shipped price. I'm hoping someone comes up with a better alternative eventually down the road for springs that we can just buy here in the USA. Right now that really is the only thing holding my car back...I just need a good set of stiffer rear springs, and a cheap aftermarket front shock solution, and ride quality should be more bearable.

[JoelR]

Balboa--regarding the Aveo springs, I think I paid close to $50 new for a pair using an online dealer parts site. Cutting them down by 1 coil put the rear at about the right height. I wouldn't say the ride quality improved except for the lack of bottoming out. It's a cheap & easy mod if you have a way to cut the springs (I think I used a Sawzall w/ "the Torch" blade" or maybe a grinder with cutoff wheel, I can't remember now).

I have yet to swap the Aveo springs out for the Matiz set that I picked up but when I do, I'll be sure to report back with the differences.

Too bad the lowering springs for the Aveo made by Eibach & H&R are both over $200 for the set AND would only fit the rear of the Insight (AFAIK).

Joel

[AClewell]

What about using air bags inside the springs? I have seen posts where a couple people are using them. That seems like a really easy approach and they are availble here in the US. They also are adjustable if your needs change just add or bleed a little pressure.
I don't think you would need a compressor or anything but the bags.