Notices
Scion xA/xB 1st-Gen Suspension & Handling Coilovers, Shocks, Airbags, Swaybars...

What's better. Soft springs firm shocks or Vice versa

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-18-2009, 06:00 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
silverevo05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 403
Default What's better. Soft springs firm shocks or Vice versa

I've got some Swift springs that are soft. (too much body roll)

I wanted to know which is better for a handling and smoothness compromise, more towards smooth (getting koni yellows soon)

Soft springs and firm shocks or hard springs and smooth shocks

When I had TRD the ride was just too firm and I want to avoid that


Thanks
silverevo05 is offline  
Old 09-18-2009, 06:21 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
Fail, INC
SL Member
 
burstaneurysm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Forest Park, IL
Posts: 11,313
Default

If you have the money, get some Koni Yellows or Tokico adjustables and have the best of both worlds.
burstaneurysm is offline  
Old 09-18-2009, 12:49 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
Fail, INC
SL Member
Scinergy
 
spr0k3t's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 956
Default

Another point to take into consideration is the sidewall size of your tires. I have the Koni Yellows with the Tanabe DF210s and so far it is one of the best setups I've driven in the B. When I'm running on 18s with 35 series tires, I set the stiffness to soft front, medium back. When I'm running the stockers, I go with a medium front and soft back. I've driven on a set of TRDs (shocks and springs), you won't regret going to anything else... Konis are probably the best you can get for the type of adjustability you are looking for.

To counter the body roll, you should look into a rear sway bar, better end-links, and change out the lower control arm bushings (front). Bring the stiffness of the konis in the front to a medium hard and the rear to at least a medium. That will counter most of the body roll you are experiencing.
spr0k3t is offline  
Old 09-18-2009, 06:41 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
10 Year Member

5 Year Member
Fail, INC
Club One

SL Member
 
Sciond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: What's in your Box...
Posts: 14,930
Default

yep my car rides so much different on 15'vs 18's. Also depends on tires to..when I have my Michelin's on it rides much different then when I run Delta's
my set up Progress coils and Konis
Sciond is offline  
Old 09-22-2009, 01:13 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
silverevo05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 403
Default

Actually I have a trd sway
es front bushings
monroe echo struts and shocks
and swift springs
oh and 205 50 16 bfg sport tires

The handling should be better but I have a lot of body roll
(plus other probs on another post)

which would you all suggest for better handling but more on the comfort side

konis and swifts
kons and eibach pro kit (small drop)
or trd spring and shock setup (I had trd springs and they were rough)
silverevo05 is offline  
Old 09-23-2009, 07:13 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
IV ACE
 
bB384's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: North Hollywood, So. Cal.
Posts: 600
Default

Neither combination (Firm shock & soft spring or vice versa) is better, you want your shocks to match your springs accordingly, That's why the Konis would be best for any spring as they are adjustable. The Echo shocks is probably what messed things up, people say the Echo shocks are the $hit, but in reality they are nothing more than pure $hit because they were intended to be used on a slightly lighter car, and trust me that makes a difference. I think Swift springs and a Koni shock set up would be ideal for a balance between comfort and handling, if not my next suggestion would be Tanabe springs and Koni shocks. Either way, you're going to have to play around with the settings on the Koni's until you find the settings you like.

Last edited by bB384; 09-24-2009 at 05:20 PM.
bB384 is offline  
Old 09-24-2009, 02:19 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
10 Year Member

5 Year Member
Fail, INC
Club One

SL Member
 
Sciond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: What's in your Box...
Posts: 14,930
Default

Koni's FTW.. as I said I have them
Sciond is offline  
Old 01-27-2010, 01:55 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
mrsocks's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 162
Default

I am not sure you can have both. I have TRD struts/shocks, DF 210's, anti sway rear and 17" 40 series with close to 40lbs of air and it rides like a go-cart. That is why I bought it; That is the way I like it! Had I wanted a better ride, I woulda got an Avalon!
Is the Echo really lighter? How can anything get lighter than the box?
Also, I have ?'s about putting "Echos" on the box...look for the thread.
mrsocks is offline  
Old 01-28-2010, 05:29 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Zman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: DubV
Posts: 1,267
Default

Originally Posted by mrsocks
I am not sure you can have both. I have TRD struts/shocks, DF 210's, anti sway rear and 17" 40 series with close to 40lbs of air and it rides like a go-cart. That is why I bought it; That is the way I like it! Had I wanted a better ride, I woulda got an Avalon!
Is the Echo really lighter? How can anything get lighter than the box?
Also, I have ?'s about putting "Echos" on the box...look for the thread.
The base Echos without power steering are as light as the 2DR Yaris hatch. Really light.

I've got a beautiful set of Koni struts laying in my room waiting to be installed. I want a smoother ride for the front as well.
Zman is offline  
Old 01-29-2010, 03:44 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
Music City Scions
SL Member
 
bB2NER's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: West TN - Land of twisty roads
Posts: 11,808
Default

I love having monroes on all 4 corners ans Tein springs. Gives me a very nice ride. I use a Whiteline rear sway bar to control body roll so this to me seems a great all around combo. Best of all worlds.
bB2NER is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
k1114
Scion xB 2nd-Gen Forced Induction
43
03-01-2023 03:08 AM
GoodVibes
Scion xB 2nd-Gen Owners Lounge
2
04-08-2015 05:30 PM
fluxingnation
Scion xB 1st-Gen Owners Lounge
1
12-26-2014 04:28 PM
swtbabiboi4u
Maintenance & Car Care
8
10-13-2003 04:38 PM
swtbabiboi4u
Scion xB 1st-Gen Aero & Exterior
2
10-10-2003 01:40 AM



Quick Reply: What's better. Soft springs firm shocks or Vice versa



All times are GMT. The time now is 02:46 PM.