Corner weight/balancing a budget suspension
#1
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,612
Total Cats: 567
Corner weight/balancing a budget suspension
Hey guys, this is an easy one. I searched but couldn't find much on the subject.
Here's the scenario. I have what most on this forum would call a "shitty" suspension. it's kyb agx with ground control coils. The thing is, I'm perfectly satisfied with the way it rides and handles for now (emphasis being on "for now", of course this will be replaced with quality parts down the road). I'm getting a new wheel/tire setup and will be getting a good alignment as well.
Here's the point of my question. Is it worth corner weighting/balancing these coilovers? It's a 99% street/canyon car that may see a trackday or two a year if everything goes as planned and the car is reliable. I was quoted $250 for having this done at a local miata shop, is it worth it in my case or should I just set the money aside for better shocks down the road? I was thinking something like koni race or blisteins to go with my GC coils.
Thanks guys, please give me your
Here's the scenario. I have what most on this forum would call a "shitty" suspension. it's kyb agx with ground control coils. The thing is, I'm perfectly satisfied with the way it rides and handles for now (emphasis being on "for now", of course this will be replaced with quality parts down the road). I'm getting a new wheel/tire setup and will be getting a good alignment as well.
Here's the point of my question. Is it worth corner weighting/balancing these coilovers? It's a 99% street/canyon car that may see a trackday or two a year if everything goes as planned and the car is reliable. I was quoted $250 for having this done at a local miata shop, is it worth it in my case or should I just set the money aside for better shocks down the road? I was thinking something like koni race or blisteins to go with my GC coils.
Thanks guys, please give me your
#2
250 for just corner weighting? I just paid that for a corner weight and align because I just left the car there after I was done dynoing and I thought it was a bit expensive. Compared to the 135 I paid the previous time I was corner weighted and aligned. Try a different shop, or get 4 bathroom scales and use the teeter totter method.
#4
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,612
Total Cats: 567
250 for just corner weighting? I just paid that for a corner weight and align because I just left the car there after I was done dynoing and I thought it was a bit expensive. Compared to the 135 I paid the previous time I was corner weighted and aligned. Try a different shop, or get 4 bathroom scales and use the teeter totter method.
corner balancing was somewhere between $200-$250, cant remember exactly. This included getting the coils to my "desired height".
Alignment was going to be $200
To roll my fenders by hand they wanted like $90.
Guess I should just say **** NO to all of that, roll my fenders myself (which was my plan anyways), and take it to a shop that doesn't declare themselves a "miata specialist" to have the alignment done.
#8
The cheapest CW of all is made by wrenching by feel.
US in one direction and OS in the other, adjust by whatever means you have available. If it gets better you are on the right track, if it gets worse adjust in the other direction.
I usually start with a level height with some rake (once verified to be decent on scales) and then adjust on the rear shocks (easiest to get to).
Lowering (lightening the load) in the corner you want more grip is my way to remember what to do, if you add "softening" you can use the same logic for bars, "shocks" and springs too. It even sort of work for rake too.
The numbers in the shop are never perfect on a track
It's not black magic at all, but some like to keep it "magic".
US in one direction and OS in the other, adjust by whatever means you have available. If it gets better you are on the right track, if it gets worse adjust in the other direction.
I usually start with a level height with some rake (once verified to be decent on scales) and then adjust on the rear shocks (easiest to get to).
Lowering (lightening the load) in the corner you want more grip is my way to remember what to do, if you add "softening" you can use the same logic for bars, "shocks" and springs too. It even sort of work for rake too.
The numbers in the shop are never perfect on a track
It's not black magic at all, but some like to keep it "magic".
#9
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,612
Total Cats: 567
Thanks guys. Going to go with the ride height i want, some forward rake, and an alignment from a local shop that can dial it in to my specs for cheaper.
I'll re visit the idea of corner weighting once i drop some coin on suspension.
I'll re visit the idea of corner weighting once i drop some coin on suspension.
#11
Can anyone point to a good read on setting preload? I'm a couple weeks away from popping my Tein monoflex flex in and I have no ******* clue how to properly set the preload on these things. Seems 5mm is pretty standard, however, my spring rates are fairly high (6XXlbs) compared to typical 'street' coilovers (which suggest a 5mm preload.)
-Zach
-Zach
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
StratoBlue1109
Miata parts for sale/trade
21
09-30-2018 01:09 PM