what are coil-overs?

[miguel]

what are coil overs and why are thay better (worse) than "normal" spring/damper combinations?

as the ride is a bit harsh, how do I know what I've got on my '82 cab?

[Blue MK2]

Coilovers are smaller than the original springs and shocks.

They are ride height adjustable and some come with dampening adjustable features.

Ive got coilovers on mine, the handling and cornering is much stiffer (better) than the standard springs/shocks.
Mine doesnt have the dampening feature that allows me to adjust the ride quality.
This makes it a much harsher ride.

hope that helps

[AdamB]

I'm looking at fitting some on my '92 cab (below) so I can drop it a bit more when I fit the 14" rims I just bought. Venomsport do some good budget ones with upto 120mm drop for ?399 - supersport goldline, they look great for the price

[Blue MK2]

Yeah I brought some Supersport Goldlines for mine as a fix to the tired old suspension.

It isnt a bad ride. 30% uprated shocks and with the lowering up to 120mm!

It might be a budget kit but ive sat in many other mk2's with expensive coilovers and mine feels the smoothest.

[miguel]

hmm, my cabs lower than standard but the ride is far too hard! think I might whip off the springs and dampers for a bit of investigation then return to standard before the car shakes itself to pieces!

[modulater]

Coil overs are in principle just like Mac'pherson struts but they allow the ride height to be adjusted and keep a compliant ride. When you lower a strut car you normally just fit lowered springs. On a coil over car you adjust where the bottom spring platform sits so you lower the car but keep the spring the same length so keeping a good ride.

[Rexy]

try and get adjustable damping as well this gives youe the ability to set up how the car drives.  Dont get to carried away like i did on my old corsa lol Was forever adjusting them and then taking it up rivvington (country lanes) for a blast lol

Rex