Hi all, I've been reading various threads on spring/damper upgrades and would like to put a general question out there to those who have some first hand experience with aftermarket suspension mods.

I put a set of used Pedders SportsRyder lowering springs on my car about 6 months ago (dampers are stock). While cornering has improved and the car looks a lot nicer, ride quality is very poor to the point where I'm quite fed up with it. The previous owner advised the springs had done around 100K. Aesthetically the springs look very low - and I suspect they may have been compressed to sit lower than standard. The car is fine on the smoothest of roads but crashes over potholes and road imperfections.

Ideally I'd like a compromise - better handling and a lower ride height, without sacrificing ride quality too much. This has led me to consider a set of King SPs which I understand sit about 30mm lower than stock but no doubt higher than my Pedders and would probably allow the shocks to work a lot better. (At this stage I'm not looking to change the shocks as the car has done under 100,000kms and I don't think they're at the end of their life.)

For those running King SPs - are you happy with the ride quality? How firm are these springs? Do you have any problems with bottoming out over curbs or steep driveways etc? Would a shock upgrade (e.g. KYBs) improve comfort over the stock shocks?

Thoughts/opinions very much appreciated.... cheers D

Haven't had King SPs mate, but what I will say is that Pedders springs are known to sag horribly after a while, so if they'd already done around 100k before you got them i'd say they're well and truely shagged... If they've sagged to anywhere near as low as the Superlows that i'm currently running, I feel you're pain when it comes to pothole and road imperfections!

Come out to a meet and go a for a drive in someone's car that has King Lows and see what you think, they ride a lot better that SLs (and sagged Lows) in my opinion. Not too sure if any regulars in SA have low SPs tho...

i had peddars put in my car and loved it!! Car drives sensationally. I noticed it sits lower than other cars on king lows and i struggled to get into car parks, etc, but could go round corners over 80km (luved highway ramps.. :)). Jumping back into the car after driving a stock VRX for 2 weeks, i felt the difference (u feel the contours in the road much more), but its not uncomfortable. i had the shocks and little pads done too, not sure if they are called dampers.. selling car now due to upgrade.

I have Lows (v. similar springrate to the SPs, but a little lower) with KYBs and I have no issues with bouncing and crashing. Not only do springs sag with age, but Superlows are too low and too soft to be comfortable IMO. In the King Springs range, the Superlows have a softer spring rate than the Lows - coupled with less suspension travel, you're far more likely to hit the bumpstops. You'll have the same issue if your current springs are compressed.

I would recommend upgrading your shocks too. I found after lowering (compared to stock VR-X), I felt more of the small bumps/undulations in the road (because of the stiffer springs), but it was actually more comfortable over the bigger bumps, which I'm partially putting down to the better quality shocks.

Your profile says you have a TL ES... you shouldn't have too many dramas with driveways and the like. You have to be careful, but it's not impractical.

Originally had secondhand worn Kings Lows on my AWD.
Not good, car was low, however the suspension bottomed out too frequently at the front.
Don't forget that these springs were originally developed for the much lighter TE, The AWD being so much heavier needs springs that have a much higher rate.
Especially unnerving when cornering fast and the suspension had run out of travel on the loaded side.

Changed to new SP's, in the higher grade of steel, about a year ago.
Seriously much better.
Yes the car sits higher, but now there is a reasonable amount of suspension travel.

Can actually get out of the local Westfield without hitting the front tow hitch and get into my driveway without scraping the bottom of the exhaust.

General handling, IMHO, is much better with the SP's.

Gerry

A heavier sports type shock or an adjustable shock will make an improvement for sure.

I'm considering the SPs down the track. I want the car to be a little bit lower but avoid scraping issues.

I've got Low SP springs all round in my TL, paired with Koni Yellow shocks.

They're firm enough to make the car feel more balanced and stable while cornering, yet still soft enough to make driving on Sydney's moonscape roads bearable. As Red Valdez said, small bumps are more noticeable, while larger stuff is less evident.

Quality suspension = quality ride.

Thanks to all for your responses so far... my instincts tell me that either Lows or Low SPs are going to be an improvement over what I currently have. My main concern about Lows is encountering the problems with scraping and having a lower ride which probably means it will be a rougher ride vs the SPs.

I have the SP and Boge combo in mine. I reckon it is a little bit plush in its ride quality. Very comfortable.

You mentioned your problem in the first post, PEDDERS

They are really rubbish

Kings are a far better product, match them up with some Bogue and you have a good set up. KYB are also ok but are a little over gassed and will make your ride not quite what I think you are after

I've had low SP's for the last 70,000 kms, and they ride as good now as they did when i got them.
Yes they are firmer so you will feel bumps more, but I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable.

You mentioned your problem in the first post, PEDDERS

They are really rubbish

Kings are a far better product, match them up with some Bogue and you have a good set up. KYB are also ok but are a little over gassed and will make your ride not quite what I think you are after

took words right out of my mouth :D

I'd say get rid of them and go for King Springs. Regarding your shocks, I also got springs at first, leaving in the stock shocks. I thought it was good enough, and changing springs made a big difference in handling. HOwever after 3 months on those springs, it is harsh on the stock shocks as they are not designed for these shorter springs.

I would say when you get your springs changed, get a set of KYB heavy duty shocks at least at the same time. It made handling much better again. Especially around cornering, and the ride was comfortable also.

I've had my King springs & KYB shocks for about 6 years now, and my shocks are rooted... TIme to renew my suspention setup.