In the motorcycle world, there are plenty of shops that will re-valve stock shocks. Is there a similar service for those with 4 wheels? The shocks that are on the car now, have way too much high speed compression damping, and the car is harsh over expansion joints on concrete highways.
What shocks? There are two ways of dealing with it. Some companies, like Koni, will revalve shocks. Or, you can simply swap them out for something different. But tuning a suspension is a tricky thing. You may think its the shocks, but turns out its the spring rates. Or bushings. Or something else, like tire pressure. Best thing to do is go to someone who knows the car well and knows how to tune suspensions. You're in NJ... Talk to Jimmy or Rocky down at Classic Coach.
we did all the normal checks, if anything, the tires are about about 2 lbs low. the car feels over damped and under sprung if anything. Smooth asphalt roads are prefect. Imperfections and concrete roads give hard thuds. I will bump the tire pressues from 27 to the recommended 29 psi as soon as I get a chance.
I don't know why, but that seems to be the preferred condition for factory suspension...all I can think it that there is a particular condition they are trying to aviod. My 308 was terrible that way. I had new shocks made for the car and more than doubled the stcok spring rate and it still drives nicer and now corners well too.
Does the car have the skyhook suspension? My gut feeling is that over damped/under sprung is the only way those adjustable suspensions can "work". Also, cheaper shocks (vice a koni, bilstein, etc) are likely to be more resistant to initial movements, which makes them harsh. Similar to mk_e, I upped the front spring rate in my Factory Five cobra 25% while replacing the stock oil sloshers with Koni single adjustables and the car was actually more comfortable.
That's a common result of the droop stop stop breaking up and jamming in the footvalve and rebound bypass holes of the piston. Do you know what are the numbers and date codes of the shocks?
My mistake, I thought it was an earlier model. It won't be a problem of droop limiter breaking up or anything alike. I'll do some research to see if I can find out which damper is on the new cars.
You say the car is brand new, so my first question is: Has it been harsh over bumps from the first time you drove the car, or a new sudden problem? Best, Rob
Who sold you the car? Did you buy it new? Are you sure you the problem isn't prior collision related? Isn't that car under factory warranty anymore? Could you get a technician or service manager at the dealer to give you some tech assistance? That is the first line I would try. If it came from a dealer, I would go back to them and hold ground.
The car is new, but it seems that they all ride harsh (Nature of the beast) I was talking to a suspension co, and it sounded to them like there is jut too much high speed compression damping. Most motorcycle suspensions are similar, in that the OEM pieces are just OK, but an upgrade to a Penske or Ohlins makes a world of difference.
You really need to talk to Rob AKA Rexrcr. He can custom tune your shocks to your use. You will not be dissappointed.
