Soft Suspension

[SilverP5Ghost]

As of November, my Prot5 will be 2 years old. I don't know about you guys, but my suspension is getting extremely soft lately. I mean, lets face it, I drive A LOT and pretty hard sometimes. Could my shocks be failing me after such a short time? I've checked tire pressure, turning, etc. I know Ryan had similar problems and was or has changed out his suspension with Tokinos I think. Any suggestions on what I should do?

-R

[Red Zeppelin]

Hi---I don't know anything about suspensions, but I feel bad that no one has responded! Zelda turned over 10,000 miles last weekend, and will be two years old soon, as well. I guess the suspension problem may be something I have to look forward to!



As of November, my Prot5 will be 2 years old. I don't know about you guys, but my suspension is getting extremely soft lately. I mean, lets face it, I drive A LOT and pretty hard sometimes. Could my shocks be failing me after such a short time? I've checked tire pressure, turning, etc. I know Ryan had similar problems and was or has changed out his suspension with Tokinos I think. Any suggestions on what I should do?

-R

[Familia323]

Yeah I think it is a possibility. I've had eibach springs and a rear sway from AWR fin for a little under 2 years now. Im pretty sure that my struts are shot they bounce all over and when I go over even the tiniest of bumps, there is no cushion whatsoever. It sounds like I hit a pothole. So your struts could be wearing out already. (dunno) Mine have.

[SilverP5Ghost]

Wow, 10K, thats it? I rolled 40K a few trips ago. I must be running close to 41500 or so. Yeah, I might need to save up for some new struts. Just wanted to do it right, you know? I will probably be getting some wheel for this winter, but with bad suspension, it will be equililly as dangerous. I am not sure what I will do.

Yeah, so some reason this board has been dead lately. We are all so busy I Guess.


Hi---I don't know anything about suspensions, but I feel bad that no one has responded! Zelda turned over 10,000 miles last weekend, and will be two years old soon, as well. I guess the suspension problem may be something I have to look forward to!

[Mike R]

Stock Struts/shocks are only supposed to last for about 30K-40K or so. I noticed mine getting soft at 30K, and I replaced them with Tokico Iluminas. Got 20K on them so far and they are doing great.

[flat_black]

The longetivity of struts really depends on the driver and the workout they're getting; Lowering springs, for example, of any sort, will wear the struts faster if they aren't tuned to accomidate the springs. I beleive Tokico Illumina/HP's are tuned for shorter springs, and are valved a lot harder than stock. MSP struts are tuned for the MSP springs, accordingly, and so on.

But yes, mine are getting tired, too. Just replaced the sway bar, though, and it's pretty nice, regardless, but the bouncing at highway speeds on strange roads is starting to get noticible, and I have about 70k on my car now.

[1 PHAT 5]

I have my original struts on my car with over 77k miles on it. I know they need to be replaced due to mileage, not because they are worn out, and I am looking into that here real soon. It wouldn't hurt to get them replaced since you drive so hard. I would recommend doing botht the springs and struts and the same time though. Also look into getting the endlinks done at the same time. This will save you time, money if you have someone else install them, and will give you a much stiffer ride.

You can find springs on this forum for as low as $120 and 4 Tokico Hp struts for $385 shipped. Endlinks will run you around $170 shipped.

[SilverP5Ghost]

That seems like a good deal. Let me know when you are thinking about changing out. Perhaps we can have a tech day, no? Here's a question though... I don't think its a great idea to have a lower ride during winter in Omaha. Even more so in rural Iowa. Perhaps its a spring project then. This winter I need to get some snow tires. I'm thinking through tirerack, they seem to be the best price. A little over 400 for steelies as well. What do you think?

-R



I have my original struts on my car with over 77k miles on it. I know they need to be replaced due to mileage, not because they are worn out, and I am looking into that here real soon. It wouldn't hurt to get them replaced since you drive so hard. I would recommend doing botht the springs and struts and the same time though. Also look into getting the endlinks done at the same time. This will save you time, money if you have someone else install them, and will give you a much stiffer ride.

You can find springs on this forum for as low as $120 and 4 Tokico Hp struts for $385 shipped. Endlinks will run you around $170 shipped.

[1 PHAT 5]

That seems like a good deal. Let me know when you are thinking about changing out. Perhaps we can have a tech day, no? Here's a question though... I don't think its a great idea to have a lower ride during winter in Omaha. Even more so in rural Iowa. Perhaps its a spring project then. This winter I need to get some snow tires. I'm thinking through tirerack, they seem to be the best price. A little over 400 for steelies as well. What do you think?

-R Well, I actually just got my Evotion springs on here a few weeks ago. Lowers the car 1 1/2" which is a subtle drop. I wanted to do both the springs and struts at the same time but I didn't want to wait. I think I am going to wait till I can get the Tokico Illuminas which are around $500-$550 shipped. They are 5 way adjustable. I had them before on my honda and I loved them.

Might be a month or two before I get them. The only thing i need right now are endlinks and I will be getting them here in a week or two. I would be up for a tech day though. My garage does have heat though the lighting could be a bit better. let me know what you want to do.

As for lowering in winter, how low you want to go? I drove around in my del sol in winter and it was slammed on the ground. I never had a problem with it.

I just bought new tires primarily for winter. There a great all around tire which is the Toyo Proxes4. I got all 4 mounted/balanced for $313.