Stiff suspension. - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Dan1776 · 12-31-2008, 10:04 PM

I have had my '08 Passion for just over one month and have wondered if something can be done to soften the suspension? I love driving the car except when going over any size bump. The suspension seems extremely harsh. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dan

andrewd · 12-31-2008, 10:34 PM

the suspension is super soft man!

thats just how it is

with the wheelbase of a bicycle you cant really expect a better ride...

a normal smart is like a limousine in comparison to mine lol, but mine does corner rather well...

ever driven a gokart off road? thats the ride mine has :|

some say larger/wider tyres help somewhat, i dont believe them, i have 195's all around and notice no difference compared to stock.... although our stock is 195 rear 175 front...

i have a set of both factory and lowered springs here and you'd be amazed at how light the front coils are, very easy to compress with your hand, they if i compared them to a bicycle spring they seem like a 150lb spring they are that soft!

sunnyokanagan · 01-01-2009, 01:22 AM

I think it's down to what y'all mean by "stiff suspension". If you mean it jolts/hits hard with each wheel when you run over a bump or pothole or railroad track, twice sending a shooting pain up your spine, that's one thing.

If you mean it rocks uncomfortably forward and back - choppy - when you run over a bump, first with the front wheel and immediately after with the rear wheel, that's altogether something else.

The former could mean a stiff suspension or over-inflated tires, or tires with a short (or inflexible) sidewall, and the latter would happen with a stiff OR soft suspension, because of the short wheelbase.

So what do you mean exactly?

smark · 01-01-2009, 02:45 AM

Sit on a blow up doughnut, Mines rides fine, except on brick roads. Hard on the kidney's.

mdfortwoguy · 01-01-2009, 09:00 AM

Not too much can be done, honestly.

It is set up the way it is to keep stability in high speed avoidance maneuvers (the elk test - Moose test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). This is also the reasoning for the differently sized tires, front to rear.

forestacademy · 01-01-2009, 09:14 AM

As My wife has stated, put a well endowed woman in the pasenger seat, it has the same appeal as Girls jumping on Trampolenes.

PeteInLongBeach · 01-01-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

Not too much can be done, honestly.

It is set up the way it is to keep stability in high speed avoidance maneuvers (the elk test - Moose test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). This is also the reasoning for the differently sized tires, front to rear.

This is exactly correct. A lot of it seems to be the damping rate of the shock absorbers, and also relatively little front suspension travel. Combine with a short wheelbase, and it is what it is. Still, I find it no worse than some sports cars I've driven, and the seating position and comfort make up for a lot of it.

mdfortwoguy · 01-01-2009, 10:37 AM

I don't mind, to be honest. My VUE floats like a boat in comparison, but in the twisties - I think the firm suspension helps keep the smart more composed. This thing is a hoot to drive.