Supension

[dp12]

so I was looking for the
'best" suspension for my 2010 corolla and came across ksport control pro coilover and according to the website it fits my car. anyone knows if it actually fits and how does it work? thanks!!

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

That all depends what, "the best", means to you. What are you looking for?

 

[dp12]

handling and ride comfort. I do ALOT of driving in NYC and Westchester county with a lot of narrow highways with many turns

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

For ride comfort, don't touch the coil springs. For better handling without negatively affecting the ride, look for better anti-sway bars front and rear. Better tires can also make a big improvement. What size tires is your Corolla equipped with? What brand and model of tires is it using?

-- B.F.Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

I had Yokohama AVID ENVigor on my 2008 Matrix. Loved those tires.

 

[dp12]

tire size is 195/65R15 and currently riding on hankook optimo 727. should I get TRD rear sway bar and front strut brace? also planning to get some nokian all season tires this summer.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Only installing one better anti-sway bar will result in uneven and likely dangerous handling, especially on the rear. For the best, safest handling, better anti-sway bars should be installed in pairs. With better anti-sway bars, I seriously doubt you'd notice any further improvement in handling on the street with a strut bar. Save your money.

Why have you settled on that brand of tire?

 

[dp12]

hankook because my mechanic suggested them. if you were referring to the nokian, I read a lot about them online and our winters have been terrible and I have to work on snow days- I work in the medical field. what anti sway bars do you suggest?

 

[stvotw]

I recently installed both a TRD front strut bar and rear sway bar and I am thrilled with how much better my 09 Base handles.

 

[dp12]

does your car slide/drift when you take sharp corners as some online info says? and what happens when you hit a pothole does the whole car vibrate?

 

[stvotw]

does your car slide/drift when you take sharp corners as some online info says? and what happens when you hit a pothole does the whole car vibrate?

I have not had any problems with sliding or drifting. For the record this is with normal driving, I have never taken the car to any kind of track. The car has a much firmer feeling when cornerning especially on/off expressways.

As far as potholes it is no worse than without the bars.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

I recently installed both a TRD front strut bar and rear sway bar and I am thrilled with how much better my 09 Base handles.

Only upgrading a rear anti-saw bar and not a matching front anti-sway bar can result in uneven handling in slippery, (rain, snow or fast driving), conditions and lead to a crash. Only upgrading the rear anti-sway bar can cause the vehicle to oversteer where the rear of the car breaks loose before the front, putting the vehicle into a spin. For a street driven vehicle, this is a dangerous handling characteristic in most situations.

From, "Performance Handling - The Complete Handbook", by Herb Adams VSE -

"If you install a VSE rear stabilizer bar without a VSE front stabilizer bar, it will probably cause oversteer. This is a dangerous condition for most driving conditions, so we warn you to not use a VSE rear bar without a VSE front bar".

This safety advice holds no matter what brand of anti-sway bar is used.

-- B.F.Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Here is a link where you can download a free handling book by Addco Performance Sway Bars. Enjoy.

http://www.addco.net/aftermarket/tech/handling-book/

 

[dp12]

what is your thoughts on lowering springs?

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Unnecessary expense. Again, for a smooth, comfortable ride, don't touch the coil springs.

For your stated handling objectives, try the front and rear anti-sway bar upgrade and I think you will be more than happy. :thumbsup:

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

Keep in mind that oversteer in a FWD is difficult to control. RWD oversteer can be corrected by letting off the throttle and a steering correction. On a FWD, all you can do is correct the steering and pray that is sufficient.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Correct. Again, this is a safety issue gang. Do it right and use matching anti-sway bars front and rear.

 

[stvotw]

Snowing on the way to work this morning and no problems. Regardless important thing is don't overdrive any vehicle in any conditions.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

It's prudent to follow the advice of professional suspension engineers such as Herb Adams and always upgrade anti-sway bars in matched sets, front and rear.

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

TRD only sells rear sway bars Scott. Says that it counters understeer (by means of inducing oversteer).

TRD wouldn't release the kit if it wasn't safe. Chances are, it is only slightly stiffer than stock.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Virtually all cars are designed to understeer as that is considered safer on the street than oversteer. Yes, rear anti-sway bars reduce understeer as has been noted and as has also been noted by the professional suspension engineer Herb Adams, only upgrading to a rear anti-sway bar is not advisable.

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

Meh, oversteer is easier to control than understeer. If you oversteer you can counter. If you understeer you just pray.

Then again, I've driven my share of RWD cars so I can handle the oversteer better than understeer.

 

[dp12]

Thanks again for the inputs. I think I am only going to get some kyb shocks and good all season tires for now then get a second ride.

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

Love KYB. Great stuff.

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Koni.

http://www.koni-na.com/sport.cfm

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Thanks again for the inputs. I think I am only going to get some kyb shocks and good all season tires for now then get a second ride.

Are your shock absorbers already worn out?

 

[dp12]

Yes, they are my car is all "bouncy" on the road. I do a lot of driving- almost 800 miles a week.

 

[dp12]

I checked koni no applications for Toyota

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

So the rear shock absorbers are worn, but not the front struts? If the front struts are also worn out, Monroe struts/shocks are quality units and they have a $120 discount going right now -

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/