Geo setup and handling

[Mike_Mac]

Now that i've been driving the Supra again I'm still not sure about its ride.

It's currently running J-Spec springs, yellow Bilsteins, 17" Alloys and Conti Premium Contact 2 tyres. Balance and pressures are fine and alignment has been set up to Toyota settings. On a smooth road it's great - really planted. The problems is I live in the SW and smooth roads aren't too common, and i've noticed two things:

Steering - The car keeps trying to steer into ruts or grooves in the road requiring constant correction and doesn't inspire confidence when driving on B roads.

Firm suspension - The ride quality is now quite jarring. Everything from cats-eyes upwards sends a real jolt through the car and it crashes over imperfections/bad repairs in the road. I thought the Bilsteins were an improvement on stock, without ruining ride quality - has anyone else who's experienced both got any comment?

Of both of these the steering is really the issue I want to resolve, as it spoils the car now that the rest of it is so much improved. My question is what the best course of action would be? Depending on feedback recieved I plan to either:

1 - Take my current setup to a Geo specialist (such as Centre Gravity), as I think most of the steering issues could be resolved with adjustment. This would leave the firm ride, which I would prefer to soften if possible, but be less expensive.

2 - Take the car to CW, who would set the Geo up and install his own dampers, which should sort out the steering and the ride quality, but is v expensive!

3 - Swap current springs/dampers for UK and then get the Geo setup. This should sort out the ride (i'm assuming) and the steering and remain cost neutral. The main question is how does UK suspension compare to J-Spec? Is it a noticeable difference in ride and how much does this compromise the handling?

Any thoughts/comments would be welcome!

[dunk shaw]

Do you have a printout of the settings on your car ? sounds like its running to much camber.

Cant see why its crashing over small bumps unless youve possibly got a blown damper

[Martin F]

Mike, i'm not sure how much this will help, considering my own car is running Bilsteins, Eibach springs and 18" wheels.

Originally Posted by Mike_Mac

Steering - The car keeps trying to steer into ruts or grooves in the road requiring constant correction and doesn't inspire confidence when driving on B roads.

Mine used to do this, until such time as I had the alignment done. Would definitely put this down to an alignment issue rather than suspension component orientated, considering you've just replaced a load of yours.

Originally Posted by Mike_Mac

Firm suspension - The ride quality is now quite jarring. Everything from cats-eyes upwards sends a real jolt through the car and it crashes over imperfections/bad repairs in the road. I thought the Bilsteins were an improvement on stock, without ruining ride quality - has anyone else who's experienced both got any comment?

Mine is certainly firm and I can definitely tell when I run over a cats eye or hole in the road, but i'm not sure I would describe it in the same way as you seem to be. More a noticeable thud and in the worst cases it would send a jar through the car. But then, compared to your setup, i'm more likely to put this down to my low profile tyres and 18" wheels.

I think as Dunk says we really need to see the settings on your car before passing comment, but I suspect spending time with a good geometry guy is going to be the way forward.

Or maybe you're just getting too old for this sports car malarky

[Mike_Mac]

Originally Posted by Martin F

I think as Dunk says we really need to see the settings on your car before passing comment, but I suspect spending time with a good geometry guy is going to be the way forward.

Or maybe you're just getting too old for this sports car malarky

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll be taking it in to get it set to the Lance settings on Tuesday, so will record what it's setup on. It's been initially adjusted after the arms were fitted, but the mechanic thought the settings seemed a bit OTT (can't remember which ones though ).

I must admit there may be more to the old git theory than i'd like to admit!

I'm pretty sure the steering is, as you say, down to settings. That concerns me far more than the ride, with which I don't think there's anything broken/faulty, it's just the stiff J-spec suspension and (Jap made) Bilstein dampers. If I could smooth it a bit more without sacrificing too much of the handling i'd consider it. I doubt the dampers are blown as they're new on.

What i'm really after is trying to compare how a UK car rides on stock suspension before I get it into a Geo specialist, because that'll then inform how many, if any, changes I make to my current setup.