Rep Power: 183

Hi,
I'm a bit annoyed by the ride quality.
I know the 7th Gen civic has rough ride, I don't know what that actually means exactly because we all have different taste of comfort. I don't really mind if the suspension is tight, in fact, it's better that way. But my car is really uncomfortable, it drives like there is no suspension installed, when I fall into a pot hole, I really feel like as if I was myself falling into it riding on bicycle without suspension. It's so rough and brutal that I can hear the door panels vibrate and rattling.

My guess is that maybe it is the shock absorbers or the coils spring, or both of them? I feel like it's not doing their work.

I already replaced the LCA bushings with some Energy Suspension bushing, there is much less body lean on the front, much stable and secure. What bothers me is when I drive on poor road condition with many cracks and pothole and bumps on the road (most of the roads where I live are like that), I feel it too much (it was already that way even before I changed the LCA bushings), I rode in other civics of the same generation and it's much more cushioning or I heard somewhere in the forums about someone else complaining about rough ride and some others saying they are like driving on a cloud.

I'd like really to figure out what's the problem.
Any suggestion, feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 0

mileage?

if over 80k, you likely need struts and possibly strut mounts.

 
Rep Power: 285

Most likely the struts are on their way out and the springs have begun to sag, if you change to tokico hp struts and shocks the problem will most likely be corrected.

Stand outside your car and push down on one corner, when it springs back up does it go up and down a couple times or is it one smooth motion?

 
Rep Power: 183

The car has 172k km which means 106k miles.
Struts mounts? Is it what bolts into the strut at the top?
Can they by bought separately or would it be better to buy it with
the strut?
Sorry I don't know much myself as you can see =P

 
Rep Power: 183

I'm not sure myself, but I think it is one smooth motion. I tried pushing down once, it's pretty stiff. Could it be what CiviStang mentioned?
The strut mount?

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 0

yes the mount is what the strut mounts to up top. they have to be purchased seperately from the struts themselves. im researching the same parts for my 2001 with 94k. i feel your pain.. LOL

below is a parts listing from Majestic.. mounts are a good deal. but strits can be found at your local auto store cheaper. and shipping kill the savings at this site. however the photo is here more to give you an idea of what we are talking about.



hope this helps

 
Rep Power: 285

Strut mounts won't affect the ride comfort, but they should be replaced.

172k km on the original suspension, that's definitely why the ride isn't comfy and soft anymore.

 
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everytime i hit so much as the crosswalk lines in the road, it sounds like marbles in a beercan under my hood.. struts are toast. mounts likely are too. but indeed you are correct mounts will not change comfort. but can improve fitment and longevity of your new struts.

 
Rep Power: 183

Actually I bought the car used.
Is there anyway to know if the strut or other suspension part have been replaced? If there any noticeable difference between stock suspension and jobber parts?

 
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take it for an oil change at a reputable shop that you trust and ask them to overlook the suspension components while its up on the rack. bought our vic from my brother in law. now we are fixing everything he neglected for 6 years. But practically stole the car so putting more money into it is not a big issue.

 
Rep Power: 183

So from your point of view, if it ain't strut mount, could it be definitely the struts/shocks themselves?

 
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hmm
our civics have struts not shocks. whoever does the struts will advise you of if you need mounts or not. with your mileage id say you will likely need the mounts as well as the struts.

otherwise not getting the mounts and only installing the struts. would be like getting four new tires and not getting your car aligned.. the tires will wear quicker..

"best analogy i could come up with after midnight. "

 
Rep Power: 285

The struts and shocks and springs are the only part of the car, aside from tires, that absorbs bumps and affects ride quality dramatically. If you have a stock tire size, that're the issue.

 
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indeed...

 
Rep Power: 183

Haha thanks CiviStang.
I'm really grateful for all of your replies.
First time I'm actually getting replies in a forum.

Also, MindBomber, would small tires affect ride quality as well?
I think that without even an answer this is, I'd say it would, right?

 
Rep Power: 812

get some better struts (front) and shocks (rear) like the tokico hp, and some decent tires. tires make a huge difference in ride quality. I went from junk fuzion tires at 30psi to some general altimax hp at 35psi and the ride on the generals' feels like im in a cadillac. very soft going over bumps yet great cornering. with the old tires, it felt like i was driving on rocks and even the slightest bump would be spine busting. not to mention unbearable road noise even at low speeds. and i have a lowered suspension with upgraded shocks. rims are stock 15s, and tires are stock 185/65/15.

 
Rep Power: 0

no prob, im a newb to civics , but not a newb to American muscle.

tire size wont effect ride quality persay.. bad struts/mounts/lower control arm bushings. can wear tires and cause ill effects on ride quality. but a new set of 14" tires should actually ride smoother than 16-17" new tires.. as the smaller tires has less ground contact.

now if you are talking about cornering and aggressive handling. yes a larger/wider tire will hold ground better. however i do not think the vic will ever fishtail like the Stang at WOT.

 
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on my to do list this week.

 
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gotta love them hard compounded tires.. LOL they last forever but ride like a skateboard.

 
Rep Power: 183

Thank you all for all of your feedback. This have been very helpful. I started another thread not so long ago in the mechanical problems section about my engine losing power and becoming noisy as it is warming up if you want to help xD It would be really appreciated.

 
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Strange you have the same problem I do. mine feels as if they put too strong of a strut on it. Very tight, but damn it rides like its lowered!! No bouncy return when pushed down on, one of the things I tested first lol.

I am thinking about lowering it now since it rides like **** anyhow haha! Very weird, most Civics feel like they are mushy suspension wise. No "mods" are done to it other than I just installed some 17's which really, hardly notice a difference from the stock 14's. Rode like crap with those too! 116k miles. Suspensions dont get Tighter with age....they get looser, this thing feels like it has some HD struts on it or something.

 
Rep Power: 183

I guess I'm gonna have to invest in a good set of tires.
Question, can shock absorbers pass the bounce test but still be bad, worn out? My front ones bounces only once and stops, rear maybe two times then stops, although it's really soft in the rear, easy to push down.
About tires, what brand do you recommend and how much should I invest to get some good tires?

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 812

ive had good luck with my general altimax hp tires. they are not too expensive and have a softer compound so they absorb road bumps better and are quieter. michelin is pretty good too but due to the long life, sometimes the ride can be bumpy. if you do lots of driving, then michelin is worth the money. if you think you will not drive and use up the tires within 6 yrs, then get a softer tire.

 
Rep Power: 183

I can see you've only mentioned the tire's ride quality, but what about handling and grip?

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 367

struts/shocks wear overtime. they might still be alive, but could be getting weak. Also, bounce test is not that accurate, unless you can use the same force the suspension will feel when hitting a bump, so they are good to check for dead shocks, not for weakening ones.

 
Rep Power: 183

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know.
Although they passed the bounce test, the car bounces so much and I can feel almost every little bump, it's so violent sometimes.

 
Rep Power: 188

Are your tires overinflated?

 
Rep Power: 812

VERY sharp, after the 2k mile break in time ofcourse. they are directional which should be better in the rain too, but on dry road they stick like crazy in turns. comparable or better than michelin. mine are the 15s for EX civic. the tire got superior or excellent in every category. amazingly some people are getting 100k miles out of these even tho soft sidewall tires should have a shorter life.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....n&autoModClar=

 
Rep Power: 193

I liked the Altimax's but after awhile they got loud on my car. They were great in the wet and snow, nice ride, sidewall was a little soft for my liking but still overall a good tire, I would've gotten another set had it not been for the noise.

 
Rep Power: 183

Damn, I'm almost convinced after reading that. It's strange, I've read some reviews elsewhere and I've noticed a lot of disappointment, I don't know if tires size and the car it's being installed on matters or not. I don't have any mags right now, just some regular black cheap rims, what tires size do you recommend, I currently stock size tires installed on my car.