Improving lowered ride comfort - 1990 panda

[AtomicRooster]

Hi!

I want to improve my temporary runabout.

Its a Retro rides special, been through a few of us, 1990 panda dance.

Looks like this:

Problem is, its a chopped spring jobbie, and while it looks better in its lowered form, its stupidly uncomfortable on the ploughed and potholed roads round here, its got its standard shocks on as well, which bottom out on everything.

What id like to ask is, can i improve the comfort at all? i.e. could i shorten the shocks or something?

I know for a fact i can get springs for a tenner each, but then it'd ride like a range rover, so I'm weighing my options up first.

Cheers for reading!

[`state]

I think most of your problem will be the shagged shocks tbh. Ive used bilstein b4`s before which are about 20% uprated but not as hard as spax ect so still give a good ride.
www.motorsportworld.co.uk will sell them its where i got mine from.

[AtomicRooster]

Thing is, those average out at about 80 quid each, 4 of them and youve paid more than the car is worth!

[`state]

Bout 50 each i think for the panda. I never care about spending more than the cars worth as id rather actually enjoy driving it rather than dreading the next time i have to drive it and it trying to push my balls out my mouth.
Kyb do aset of ultra shocks that are good too and pretty cheap.

[AtomicRooster]

When you're on £4.98 an hour and only doing 8 hours a week you would care!

Looks like it might have to be tractor stance at any rate.

[stealthstylz]

If they're oil shocks drill a hole in them and drain the fluid out, weld a nut over the hole, refill with thicker oil and put a short bolt in the nut.

[AtomicRooster]

Thats a cool trick actually, i'll check!

[rodney]

buy new standard shocks if you can , or trim the shock down and replicate the top so it fits correct and don't bottom out , or buy some low springs or even try fing some from a different car that will fit,.

[composimmonite]

If it's temporary why spend any more that you have to on the car ?
I'd say source a scrapyard etc set of standard springs and spend your pennies on whatever project you are building.

Paul H

[RobinJI]

Chances are the bad rides a result of it being under-damped and lacking travel. The damping can only really be sorted with new shocks or the method stealthstyles mentioned. The only way you'll gain any travel on the cheep is by being handy with a bit of fabrication.

[popuptoaster]

Cut springs get stiffer, the dampers probably can't control the harder spring rate so the car bounces. then when you hit a large bump you find out they are to long so they bottom out as the spring compresses, if you haven't altered the bump stops either they are probably also bottoming out.

If you want it comfy either put stock springs back on OR be prepared to buy springs and dampers that match what you want and alter the bump stops so they clear.

If its that uncomfy its probably not safe either, anything that lets the wheels skip about will increase stopping distance.

[chairchild]

it'll be a curse word ride, because the springs are stiffer. Making the dampers harder, will make this even worse.

As above, different springs are the only real solution I'm afraid

[RobinJI]

Dec 29, 2012 16:08:30 GMT chairchild said:

it'll be a curse word ride, because the springs are stiffer. Making the dampers harder, will make this even worse.

As above, different springs are the only real solution I'm afraid

Stiff springs aren't inherently uncomfortable. Stiff springs with a lack of damping and travel ARE.

Remember springs don't actually absorb energy, they just store it temporarily, you need dampers that are up to the job to control the cars ride properly or when the springs release the energy again it won't be controled or absorbed, so will be unpredictable and uncomfortable. Fit dampers that are up to the job and you can get away with really quite stiff springs without being uncomfortable. It's what makes the difference between a firm, sporty ride and a crashy uncomfortable ride.

[AtomicRooster]

Looks like tractor stance and standard springs are the way to go, id rather look like a grandad at standard height and enjoy driving it slightly more than take off every time I hit a dip or a pothole. Plus its only 40 quid to remedy whereas dampers and lowered springs are loads more.

Thanks for your help, nice to see both sides of things!

[popuptoaster]

bolt some cheapo spotlights at the base of the A pillars, fit a 4x4 nudge bar, paint it camo and drive it at tractor height.

[madmog]

This'll probably sound like I'm taking the P but get a big soft cushion on the seat squab and maybe another on the back. Costs next to nothing from a charity shop.

[AtomicRooster]

The drivers seat is a fairly comfortable non panda one, its beyond the control of seat squabs I'm afraid

[AtomicRooster]

Dec 29, 2012 18:43:24 GMT popuptoaster said:

bolt some cheapo spotlights at the base of the A pillars, fit a 4x4 nudge bar, paint it camo and drive it at tractor height.

The thought had crossed my mind, nato green is cheap, ive got the stuff to do it and it needs a new door so it could work!

[giacosa]

The standard approach of Fiat Forum with Pandas is to take standard springs and lop one coil off them which doesn't cause any issues. I don't know how many coils have been lopped off your springs but i'd guess its more than 1 as its sitting way lower than normal. Spax springs with a 35mm drop seem to work well too but are obviously a more expensive option.

Most Pandas of that vintage were fitted with 155/65 tyres which doesn't help the ride. 155/70 tyres will help take the edge off the ride.

Having owned a few though they were never great in the ride stakes to begin with. Bearable is a as good as they got.

[mt2man]

I actually really miss this car! Haha, leave the height the same and just move down here its fine on the roads near me!