Eibach's springs & sway bar kit soft setting.....sucks!!

[Dochidalgo]

Yeah, well, it is not the first time that I upgrade suspension parts in the cars that I have owned.
Since the internet exists, I have read in the car forum brand and model that I have owned, the upgrades that have proved effectiveness and utility resulting in an improvement of the part to replace.
That is the Eibach's sway bars & springs case. As I've said before, I was reluctant to lower my car (aesthetics??...my @ss!..sorry...no way!!), but my Stinger suspension behavior when passing over the speed bumps, so one of them hit the passenger exhaust tube, convinced me to replace the stock ones being aware of the effect on the alignment of the wheels, but who in their right mind would think that the Kia dealers do not have the alignment specs into the alignment machine, even now?

So, I'm going to take into account the positive and informative written opinions on how to improve the problem I presented and prove its effectiveness in solve the suspension issue.

 

[Dochidalgo]

Ohh, I forgot to render thanks to all the opinions of the participants of this post.

 

[Never thought]

@Dochidalgo the specs are actually on this forum if you do a search. The dealers didn’t have them at the beginning but all the US dealers now have the specs.

 

[MerlintheMad]

my Stinger suspension behavior when passing over the speed bumps, so one of them hit the passenger exhaust tube, convinced me to replace the stock ones being aware of the effect on the alignment of the wheels

You've mentioned "speed bumps" twice now. Please clear something up for me. Up here, speed bumps are raised ridges across the entire road width, designed to force drivers to slow down. A lowered car would scrape on them where an OEM setup would have a couple of inches more clearance. If your unmodified Stinger scraped the exhaust tube, how would lowering springs help make that better!?

 

[Dochidalgo]

@Never thought....Thank you Sir
Yes, I am an avid forum post reader, so I printed those alignment sepecs sheet and with that info the Kia dealer máster mechanic did the alignment manually.
I have to plan a trip to San Antonio, Tx and look for a Kia dealer there.

 

[robz32]

@MerlintheMad It is no secret to anyone that the rear suspension on the Stinger is very soft and when taking turns at high rate of speeds (50 mph+) if you go over a bump or imperfection on the road, it will upset the cars rear balance and you will experience a sort of skip on the rear, which basically translates to a loss of traction on one or both of the tires. Something that will not with the front suspension.

That is why many members here decide to upgrade to a higher rate spring, meaning a slightly stiffer spring, to prevent the rear from being upset easily, the lowering part is also helpful as it will lower the center of gravity of the whole car, which will also give you better control/handling, the fact that it makes the car look better is just a plus.

The sway bar upgrade, that is often done at the same time with the springs, also helps tremendously with reducing the body roll when taking a turn at high rate of speed, which in turn reduces the understeer that is also prevalent on a car with the mass and weight of the Stinger.

@Dochidalgo let me know when you decide to make the trip, maybe we could meet.

 

[MerlintheMad]

@MerlintheMad It is no secret to anyone that the rear suspension on the Stinger is very soft and when taking turns at high rate of speeds (50 mph+) if you go over a bump or imperfection on the road, it will upset the cars rear balance and you will experience a sort of skip on the rear, which basically translates to a loss of traction on one or both of the tires. Something that will not with the front suspension.

That is why many members here decide to upgrade to a higher rate spring, meaning a slightly stiffer spring, to prevent the rear from being upset easily, the lowering part is also helpful as it will lower the center of gravity of the whole car, which will also give you better control/handling, the fact that it makes the car look better is just a plus.

The sway bar upgrade, that is often done at the same time with the springs, also helps tremendously with reducing the body roll when taking a turn at high rate of speed, which in turn reduces the understeer that is also prevalent on a car with the mass and weight of the Stinger.

@Dochidalgo let me know when you decide to make the trip, maybe we could meet.

Thanks! So you are saying that "speed bumps" as @Dochidalgo uses the term means uneven, up and downsy road surfaces, not speed regulating ridges like we have up here. Do I have that right?

 

[robz32]

Correct. Also pot holes could enter into that description as well.

 

[Dochidalgo]

let me know when you decide to make the trip, maybe we could meet

Of course, I'll do it gradly my friend....

 

[Dochidalgo]

@MerlintheMad....
The mexican "speeed bumps" are poorly designed so that, the ridges have high point and the ascending and descending parts are abruptly short instead of gradually ascending and descending, if you know what I mean. Moreover, there are portholes all over the streets and roads here where I transit very day and the OEM springs setting is very elastic....
I have understood that the rear springs are progressive, so for that property, the spring is more contained, especially when the wheels pass through the descending part of the ridge, even the car is lowered. Prove of that is that I have not scrape the exhaust tube anymore in my commute road trip.

 

[Ozstung]

Bottom line for me is the springs are an improvement not just aesthetics. 4 months of eibachs. Will go the sways when my "accountant " let's me. I think Robz32 has explained it to a "T".

 

[Manchuz]

Bottom line for me is the springs are an improvement not just aesthetics. 4 months of eibachs. Will go the sways when my "accountant " let's me. I think Robz32 has explained it to a "T".

And what type of improvement are you experiencing with the springs alone? I just got both sway bars installed but can't really test them out here with 30 cm of snow. I'd consider the Eibach springs too if it'll add to the overall handling of the car.

 

[eflyguy]

And what type of improvement are you experiencing with the springs alone? I just got both sway bars installed but can't really test them out here with 30 cm of snow. I'd consider the Eibach springs too if it'll add to the overall handling of the car.

I think the answer you seek is in Robz's post.

 

[Manchuz]

I think the answer you seek is in Robz's post.

I saw his post. I'm looking for experienced feedback rather than theoretical. Theoretically we know what these after market springs and sway bars are suppose to do. Now tell me about real feedback. The OP says they suck, which is fine. Want to hear other's experience.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think the answer you seek is in Robz's post.

That answers the performance questions.

But I am still having difficulty visualizing the description of @Dochidalgo's, how with the OEM springs he got a scrape on his passenger side exhaust pipe on a "speed bump". Yet with the Eibach springs upgrade, which prevents as much rise and fall to the chassis, there is a lowering of the chassis. So what I am supposed to see here is that a lowered, stiffer car will actually stay higher in ground clearance than the OEM set up, which, though riding at rest higher, will drop lower when road irregularities cause the chassis to rise and fall on the softer springs.

So, the Eibach springs lower the car, but at the same time restrict its upward and downward movement; such that the absolute lowest point the car will drop, on a rough or up and downsy road surface, is not as low as the OEM set up (springs) will allow the chassis to drop.

If you can understand what I just wrote, and that is what is going on with the lowered, yet stiffer springs, please confirm. Thank you.

 

[Dochidalgo]

That answers the performance questions.

But I am still having difficulty visualizing the description of @Dochidalgo's, how with the OEM springs he got a scrape on his passenger side exhaust pipe on a "speed bump". Yet with the Eibach springs upgrade, which prevents as much rise and fall to the chassis, there is a lowering of the chassis. So what I am supposed to see here is that a lowered, stiffer car will actually stay higher in ground clearance than the OEM set up, which, though riding at rest higher, will drop lower when road irregularities cause the chassis to rise and fall on the softer springs.

So, the Eibach springs lower the car, but at the same time restrict its upward and downward movement; such that the absolute lowest point the car will drop, on a rough or up and downsy road surface, is not as low as the OEM set up (springs) will allow the chassis to drop.

If you can understand what I just wrote, and that is what is going on with the lowered, yet stiffer springs, please confirm. Thank you.

Yes, I can't figure out my car suspension behavior too...it sounds illogical but that's how you described very well....the same with the sway bars too, altough I have to take into account the suggestion (@TwinSnails) to change from soft to firm the rear sway bar setting only.

All of these makes me to ask you guys your opinions about these matters.

 

[Ruturaj]

@MerlintheMad there are plenty of people on this forum that say the Eibach springs improved the ride and improved handling dramatically. Some said they didn’t see the point of sway bars in addition. I am getting my springs on this week so I’ll report back.

I think two guys one with only springs and another with only sways compared by switching car and driving it. The spring guy said sways made more difference. I think sways should be first mod than springs, because it keeps cars original ride height so doesn't affect dynamics. Sways are much simpler to install as well.

Edit: I think those guys may be never tried or fully compared Sway only upgrade compared to spring only upgrade. I would say you try both if possible.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think two guys one with only springs and another with only sways compared by switching car and driving it. The spring guy said sways made more difference. I think sways should be first mod than springs, because it keeps cars original ride height so doesn't affect dynamics. Sways are much simpler to install as well.

Edit: I think those guys may be never tried or fully compared Sway only upgrade compared to spring only upgrade. I would say you try both if possible.

I read about this for weeks, before deciding that the Eibach rear sway bar was the most impressive upgrade; the single most effective handling improvement; and, as you say, the easiest mod for the difference it makes. So, that is what I have. Later? Who knows?

 

[Ruturaj]

I read about this for weeks, before deciding that the Eibach rear sway bar was the most impressive upgrade; the single most effective handling improvement; and, as you say, the easiest mod for the difference it makes. So, that is what I have. Later? Who knows?

I am planning to buy the set, front and rear. Just put rear and drive it for few months, then put front and decide if I really want front. If not then would sell it.

 

[Never thought]

I read about this for weeks, before deciding that the Eibach rear sway bar was the most impressive upgrade; the single most effective handling improvement; and, as you say, the easiest mod for the difference it makes. So, that is what I have. Later? Who knows?

Did you notice any change in the ride quality?