[Superpug]

I really, REALLY want to get some suspension mods done. Recently I got new rims and tires so the fender gap is more noticable. I plan on going with lowering springs (probably Eibach or H&R), front strut bar (Racingline) and roll bars (Racingline), and maybe new shocks and struts. What I am afraid of is making my car so stiff that every bump I hit something comes flying off. Already my center console creaks like a haunted house door and my drivers side door pops when I lean into a curve. Would my car be able to take the harsher ride for the long haul? This is my daily driver and I commute about 70 miles a day. Also, I heard that when lowering suspensions the stock struts are not designed to compensate for the lower suspension and will make the ride even worse. BTW, I have noticed lately that when I hit a bump or something that makes my suspension go up and down I hear a hiss sound like a "pushiss". I am assuming that's normal and not a sign that the struts etc are going bad right? I don't even have 40k on the clock yet so that would be a bummer.

 

[charleslara6]

That sound is normal. i hear it all the time. I've read on other forums that combining kyb gr2 struts with eibach makes a comfortable ride. Slightly stiffer but not much, softens up after a few weeks. I'm going this route when i get some cash flow lol.

For the center console, if you go into the back seats and stick you hand under directly on the back, pull forwards and it should pop off. there are a few screws you can tighten. I had the same issue and this fixed it right up.

 

[Superpug]

Actually, that reminds me - those screws went missing some time ago. I tried to replace them once but those backed out too. Next I might just rivet it down or use some hex bolts etc. Problem is, I am a slightly "wide" Altima owner and have even noticed that the gap around the shifter on the left is less than the right, no doubt because of my leg pushing on it.

 

[charleslara6]

Mine is starting to loosen up too. Mostly cuz my wife pushes against it with her knees. I would hot glue them together. Or plastic cement.

 

[mikejamesbyma]

Lowering your car will stiffen the ride, there is no way around that. If you are already thinking that your car is stiff, lowering it is not a good idea. Yes it looks great and handles great, but if you can't live with the ride, it's not worth it.

 

[charleslara6]

Mine got stiff for some reason. I like it! I can take corners pretty hard.

 

[peelman]

I like the ride with my RL springs and KYB's as for the noise... that's what the volume dial is for

 

[superbad]

I like my BC Racing coilovers but if you don't like a stiff ride I would avoid them. I like my rides stiff. I feel the ride better if that makes any sense and the handling is incredible compared to stock.

 

[Superpug]

I don't mind the harsh ride - I was just worried about the additional impact transmitted to the car from the road. Won't that in theory cause a car to decline faster? The last suspension mod I did on a vehicle got me nothing but grief from my wife, and that's because it destroyed my transmission.

 

[superbad]

I don't mind the harsh ride - I was just worried about the additional impact transmitted to the car from the road. Won't that in theory cause a car to decline faster? The last suspension mod I did on a vehicle got me nothing but grief from my wife, and that's because it destroyed my transmission.

it might make it decline faster but i cant imagine anything major of it. i can see maybe some screws coming loose

how does a suspension mod ruin your transmission?

 

[Superpug]

When you lift a truck higher than the driveshaft can compensate for, drive it that way for awhile and totally destroy your U joints as well as the tail shaft of the transmission. Long story there really...

 

[peelman]

I really, REALLY want to get some suspension mods done. Recently I got new rims and tires so the fender gap is more noticable. I plan on going with lowering springs (probably Eibach or H&R), front strut bar (Racingline) and roll bars (Racingline), and maybe new shocks and struts. What I am afraid of is making my car so stiff that every bump I hit something comes flying off. Already my center console creaks like a haunted house door and my drivers side door pops when I lean into a curve. Would my car be able to take the harsher ride for the long haul? This is my daily driver and I commute about 70 miles a day. Also, I heard that when lowering suspensions the stock struts are not designed to compensate for the lower suspension and will make the ride even worse. BTW, I have noticed lately that when I hit a bump or something that makes my suspension go up and down I hear a hiss sound like a "pushiss". I am assuming that's normal and not a sign that the struts etc are going bad right? I don't even have 40k on the clock yet so that would be a bummer.

What size of rim/ tire did you buy. The bigger you go worse the ride.

 

[Superpug]

I went very conservative at a 17" with 215-55 R17 Kumhos which are quite nice actually

 

[Unclear_Motives]

I went very conservative at a 17" with 215-55 R17 Kumhos which are quite nice actually

If you don't mind a slightly harsher/stiffer ride...then lower it. Parts are not going to start flying off of the car...that would be crazy, lol.

You're not going to completely damage your car just by lowering it. Where do you live anyway?

And when you say that your door "pops" are you saying that your door opens while you're driving...or that it makes a popping noise?

 

[Superpug]

If the door opened I would be SOL! No, it just makes a popping noise when I lean into a hard right turn, most likely because my leg is pressed up against it. I live in North Texas (Dallas area) so I don't have the worst roads, but definetly have some bumps and bruises to navigate around. That clay causes concrete to crack like nothing I have ever seen.

 

[dvs1270]

from my experience eibach will not make the ride that much stiffer, & my h&r car was identical to stock. only difference for me was eibach makes the a$$ saggy looking & h&r gave my car a slight rake. just change your shocks & struts while it is broken down, especially up front. rear is a breeze.

 

[dvs1270]

as far as creaks & pops, take your door panels off & tighten all of the bolts. i was amazed at how many were loose when i changed a broken door handle.