So I just picked up a used xA, the previous owner had put on some tien springs, not sure which ones but everything else is stock. The initial ride was fine, but there are quite a bit of pot holes and construction/steel plates going up to my house and the ride is killing my back, seems like I can feel every single tiny crack/bump in the road.

After reading through some threads here I picked up some monroe shocks and changed out the rear shocks, also checked the tire pressure and it was fine at 28-29. After doing these mods I can't tell any difference from before, my back still aches after a 15 minute ride. Is there anything else I can do or should I just try a different car. I have no expectations as far as performance or handling, I just want to improve the comfort of the ride.

 

if you want to change out the springs get some tanabe DF210's

 

You should probably swap out the springs in favor of either TRD springs or stock springs. While Tein springs ride nice for a lowered car, it's still lowered and the ride won't be as plush as a car with stock springs. Many people here have stock springs lying around and you could probably pick them up for next to nothing.

 

trd springs and shocks are way stiff keep the monroes. the DF210s is a good soft lowering spring

 

Basically I want to know if it's possible to get an xa to ride like a civic or a corolla, or should I just not waste my time and pick up a different car. I've owned many "compact" cars and never have I had a sore back after driving, even my yamaha r6 has better shock absorption...

 

If I had to guess which springs it came with - Tein S-techs. Get another set of springs - like the Tanabe's or the Tein H-techs or get another car.

I've got H-tech, monroes and bushings on my xB and it rides smother then stock.

 

Well I checked and the springs are tein and green, this usually means they're s-tech's?

 

From looking at the spring rates, it looks like stock springs are the least stiff... does this mean that they will give the most comfortable ride?

If so, anyone here with a set of stock springs I can buy?

 

Stock vs H-tech for comfort?


Anybody?

 

Go get a set of stock springs. They will give you a much softer ride, not like a benz, but much softer than s-techs.

 

you get your seat reupholstered to some thing softer with more lumbar support

 

Thanks, yea right now I'm using a lumbar pillow thing that helps a bit, will be on the look out for some stock springs

 

stock xb springs work for the xa right?

 

It looks like the spring rates are different for stock xa and xb springs, thanks for the offer though.

Scion xB 148 160
Scion xA 134 134

 

what about changing out the struts? maybe get some with a dampener or just buy a hotchkis kit.

 

Do you have stock tires/wheels? I found that by having more "meat" on the tire, Actually greatly improves ride comfort. I would also try avoiding potholes, at all cost. ;)

You can also get aftermarket seats that have inflatable lumbar supports. May help out some. I know Corbeau offers seats with this feature.

 

My box on tein h-tech with stock shocks was great!

 

I don't remember my xa riding much different after swapping the springs. I did notice a difference when I changed the tires though. I have the stock springs if you live in the Los Angeles area for $20.

 

You may just need to go see a Chiropractor. ha ha

 

People occasionally complain about my ride being rough. I like being able to feel the road.

If you don't want to feel what you're driving on, try a Subaru Outback, it makes gravel roads silky smooth. haha.


Or put the stock springs back on.