We've had some pretty warm weather here in Kansas City lately. Today it was 60 and my car rides MUCH MUCH MUCH better than it does in 40 degree and below. The ride is smoother and far more refined. My current setup is Intrax, Koni in the front, and severely worn out KYB GR2s in the rear. I'll be getting my rear KYB AGX on Monday. We had some cold weather for the past 3 weeks (15-30 degrees) and my car was chopply and harsh. Now it's nice and smooth with little thumps from the suspension instead of a crashing suspension and harshness. I had no idea what kind of influence weather has on a modded suspension.

Anyone else notice this?


Dave

 

Yeah, I've noticed that too, I can't wait until it warms up again.

 

opposite..

 

I've noticed that the right is a little smoother and it handles slightly better in warmer weather but the accelerations is better in cold weather.

 

I don't understand why people would put such different struts/shocks in the front and back. Why not just get the same all around?

 

And yeah it's the opposite for me too, I think it rides better/smoother in cold weather. Especially when it's raining, going over bumps etc is so smooth. I don't know if that's just me or other people notice it too. (now I'm not saying that I want it to rain all the time so my ride is smoother, just an observation).

 

Your shocks will be firmer in wamer days because those gas shocks will have greater pressure in warmer temperature. The reason why your ride was so harsh in cold days is because your shock doesn't have more pressure inside them to keep them cushy.

 

My car is more powerful on cold days and much quieter on rainy days.

 

What are you guys complaining about? Try riding in my Maxma when she's -25. Its like a tank, very stiff. I also notice a drop in milage when the real cold stuff hits. This winter we have been lucky only several night below zero, and January half over. Bring on the Spring. I started up my Supra the other day, just about cried. It's gonna be 2.5 months or so until I can drive her.She offically in hibernation until snow is all gone. They salt the road so much, it's a wonder my Max isn't all rusted out.

Dan

 

Because I got the Koni's 1.5 years ago and I didn't want the rear Koni's because they aren't adjustable unless you remove them. I choose to wait for the AGXs for the rear. Since the AGXs are adjustable, there should be no problems running the Koni's with the AGXs.


Dave

 

Yes I too notice my car rides very slightly smoother when the weather is warmed up. Might have to with a combination of the heat acting on the gas inside the struts and air inside the tires.

 

The effect is there with gas struts, but it's much more pronounced in oil-filled struts. The liquid undergoes a much more drastic change in viscosity when subjected to temperature changes. Liquids are far more viscous at higher temperatures and will give a much smoother ride when it's warmer.

 

my car only runs good when i drive with the windows down

 

Yes, I just assumed it was my summer tires that were cold an brittle causing all the harshness.

 

I notice what everyone else notices, but also this; my gearbox is smoother, too. In the cold, even with MT-90 synthetic, the gearbox is a little stiff. Nothing lie the regular tranny oil, but it is stiffer. Once the temps get like 45 and above, my 5 speed is as smooth as silk once again.

DW

 

All struts use oil for the dampening fluid. It becomes thicker (more viscous) at lower temperatures. Dampers usually have valving that compensates for changes in temperature, but it isn't completly effective. Other components contract at different rates, and with wear, cheap struts, factored in there can be losts of tempt related changes. Most "Gas" struts are low pressure, and the gas is only in there to keep the oil from becoming filled with air bubbles. The effect on the gas pressure, due to temp changes, is not a factor. Another factor is that the rubber in the tires gets stiffer from the cold weather, and this alone will give you a harsher ride. If you are getting creaks and graons, the suspension bushings need to be lubed.

 

the rougher for my auto..