Firm Suspension

[Guest Teleplayer]

Hi everyone, Hope this isn't too daft a question for you, anyway, here goes.. I bought a 2001 1.8 Zetec 3dr last month. I love it - a huge step forward from my last car (a '94 Pug 306 1.4) I'm really impressed with the build quality and the 'Big Car' feel to the car. So far so good.

I love the handling of the Zetec, it's great to chuck around some of the twisty roads around our home - always brings a smile to my face :)

However, I'm getting a bit of stick from 'her indoors' who reckons that the ride is 'Too jiggly, spoiling an otherwise great car' :angry:

Well, she does have a point - at slow speeds over our less than perfect British road surfaces it does jar a little.

So, are there any steps I can take to moderate/soften the suspension a little? I tried taking a bit of air out of the tyres - no noticeable difference other than less fun to drive :(

It's not a 'Huge' issue, but nevertheless, it would make this old farts life a bit easier if I could modify it a little.

[Guest Kevin]

Yes the ride on the Focus is restless and jiggly. At one time in March 2002 I was loaned a new Focus 1.8 and had the opportunity to compare it with my own Cougar V6 and my wife's Picasso HDi.

 

Well I thought the Cougar had a firm ride but it was more stable over rough roads. Driving on the same stretches of road the Cougar suprised me by having slightly more grip than the Focus. I could get the back end out with the Focus on roundabouts by stabbing the brake when cornering hard. It is commendable how little the Focus rolls in bends when you consider it is quite a tall car.

 

The Picasso had by far the better ride than either of the other cars, but wasn't as chuckable and didn't turn in so quickly although there was plenty of grip.

 

I guess suspension settings are a compromise at the end of the day...but with the appalling quality of our roads I now drive a Citroen C5 estate!

[Guest Andy]

ONLY KIDDING BUT GET THE MISSUS A TIGHTER FITTING BRA :) :)

[Daveyboy]

Out of the whole range from CL, LX, Zetec, Ghia, the Zetec is considered to be the 'sportier' handling model hence the firm suspension. The only way around this would be to either fit an aftermarket set of shocks / springs, or replace with a set from a Ghia. If you do go down this path, Eibach is a really good make.

:)

Dave