Ride Over Handling, Original Shocks Floating

PopeHooper · 08-21-2007, 01:13 AM

Hello everyone, my first posting on this amazing forum.

Glad to be here.

My 1st issue:
Seems most of the postings regarding suspension changes concern lowering the suspension, and/or sharpening the handling. I have a different requirement ...

I have purchased a '05 base 300, with the 3.5Ltr V6 engine, everything stock. The car is in Africa, I am visiting the USA for a brief period.
The original shocks are causing the vehicle to "float" a little, they are weakening. The roads in the city I am in vary from excellent-smooth
in some areas, to rough dirt roads. Ground clearance is an issue on the dirt-road streets, and there are speed bumps on most of the good roads in residential areas, therefore I cannot lower the car. Ground clearance can be such a problem, that in my initial drives in the car I have raised the tyre air-pressures by 2psi to raise the vehicle in order not to scratch the underside over the speed-bumps.

I am interested in purchasing a set of shocks for the car to take back with me, in preparation of the shocks needing replacement very soon. I would like to sharpen the handling, but NOT at the expense of ride; I would rather keep the stock-handling rather than harden the suspension, harsh suspension develops a new meaning on some of the roads we use.

Would anyone be able to suggest a set of shock absorbers that would be appropriate for a vehicle under the conditions I describe? Cost would be a factor ...

Thank you, and glad to be here

brandon6976 · 08-22-2007, 06:06 AM

problem is there isn't a ton of shocks available yet. KYB has a couple but its only for the fronts of the car. Usually I would look at Koni, KYB, Tein but Tein only makes a lowering system and there is a couple other companies but its mostly coilover kits to lower the car.

millertimelv · 08-22-2007, 02:34 PM

Try Eibach dampeners... they are like $500
Try an Eibach sway bar maybe... that will help with excessive roll in turns

Tubular Suspension · 08-24-2007, 03:07 AM

TSS now has Koni adjustable shocks for 300c
TSS makes these in house
$866 for a pair of front
$765 for rears
We have them for coils spring cars as well

Prices are in Australian $
If exporting divide the total by 11 and subtarct
That is what you pay for Export

PopeHooper · 08-24-2007, 11:28 PM

Ok, thanks, noted all. I do think the TSB shocks seem expensive? Price is a factor for me, and I am not looking for a handling-sharpening solution, just want to replace my stock shocks which will need replacement soon, emphassis on a ride, good handling a bonus for me.

Can't seem to find the EIBACH's at $500, only about $850 ... still looking.
Price a factor, unfortunately

Tks

millertimelv · 08-25-2007, 02:01 PM

try ajusa.com... they have the cheapest eibach stuff for our car that I can find and they advertise that they will beat anyone else's price.

**bruno** · 08-25-2007, 02:58 PM

Looks like you received some great suggestions for your situation. Good luck on that. This car seems to make itself shown all around the world!

Also, welcome to the 300c forums!

bruno

PopeHooper · 08-30-2007, 11:23 PM

Thnk you, all, for making me feel so welcome to the forums. & for the advice, which is noted carefully. Unfortunately, this particular time, I will file the info away for use for the next time I need this; it seems there is a consensus that the EIBACH's are pretty good shocks. Due to price constraints, I have decided to purchase a set of KYB's, the KYB-GR2 (341608 Left & 341609 Right) for the FRONTS, and a set of MONROE 5797 Monroe Sensatrac for the REARS. I hope I have made a good choice, not just a cheaper choice. Any comments on my choice will be welcome ... Thank you again

PopeHooper · 08-31-2007, 01:35 AM

Thanks for the input, Folks, but apart from cost, the issue with the EIBACH's is also the fact that they drop the vehicle, which as I stated earlier is not an option for me. Ground clearance is very important, and I would be expecting a serious crunch from the underside every time. Even now, just by dropping my tyre pressures by 3psi causes my vehicle to scratch over every speed-bump and as I drive over every untarred (dirt) road.

Check out my earlier post at the top of the page about ground clearance.

This link indicates the EIBACH's drop the ride by 1.6 inches.

http://www.ajusa.com/cgi-bin/stores/...0cbd70ebca0e13

Chase300 · 09-06-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopeHooper

Thnk you, all, for making me feel so welcome to the forums. & for the advice, which is noted carefully. Unfortunately, this particular time, I will file the info away for use for the next time I need this; it seems there is a consensus that the EIBACH's are pretty good shocks. Due to price constraints, I have decided to purchase a set of KYB's, the KYB-GR2 (341608 Left & 341609 Right) for the FRONTS, and a set of MONROE 5797 Monroe Sensatrac for the REARS. I hope I have made a good choice, not just a cheaper choice. Any comments on my choice will be welcome ... Thank you again

Having used the KYB-GR2's on other vehicles I can tell you that you will be very happy with them. They give a very smooth ride, but also very good control. I have no experience with Monroe's.