06-30-2021, 07:24 AM | #1 |
Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 185
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Front end harshness after lowering spring install
2012 SS vert with Hotchkis 1" drop springs and new FE4 struts/shocks all the way around and currently stock wheels/tires. Had the bushings timed and alignment done.
Just wondering if this is normal. The car is buttery smooth on most good roads, handles great, and rides even better than the stock suspension with FE2 struts/shocks. However, when I go over rough roads, it turns into a different car. I feel fairly significant harshness (to me) from the front suspension. I've driven lowered cars before, albeit an Acura TL and Lexus IS, but have never experienced that level of harshness. Is this normal for a lowered Camaro? It almost feels like the struts are gonna pop out of the top mounts!
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2012 Camaro SS Convertible: 2SS, LS3, M6, Triple Black. Mods: Solo Axleback, 1LE FE6 rear swaybar, CAGS delete, Vararam CAI, Heritage grill, Hotchkis springs, '15 FE4 struts/shocks, ZL1 side rockers, Velgen Classic5 wheels, Pedders radius rod bushings, ARH LTHs, gutted HFCs,...
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06-30-2021, 08:53 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 11,435
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I am lowered 1.25 for the past 9 years on Pfadt springs and stock struts and shocks. The front is very tight and smooth MOST of the time, and can get kinda harsh depending on the roadway. Also sometimes it depends on which springs you run as to how bad they ride, I had Eibach's on my Mustang and absolutely hated them.
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TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.
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06-30-2021, 09:39 AM | #3 | |
Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 185
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Quote:
Thanks. The car rides fine most of the time like you said. Its just when I "find" rough spots that the harshness catches me by surprise. My iPhone and mount definitely don't like it!
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2012 Camaro SS Convertible: 2SS, LS3, M6, Triple Black. Mods: Solo Axleback, 1LE FE6 rear swaybar, CAGS delete, Vararam CAI, Heritage grill, Hotchkis springs, '15 FE4 struts/shocks, ZL1 side rockers, Velgen Classic5 wheels, Pedders radius rod bushings, ARH LTHs, gutted HFCs,...
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06-30-2021, 01:21 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2014 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Southern California
Posts: 253
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Front end harshness after lowering spring install
I just installed pfadt springs and bilsteins shocks. It can get rough over rough roads but the suspension travel has been shortened, it’s to be expected on any lowered car. The harshness I get is completely tolerable though and nothing I would think of us extremely harsh. On regular roads the ride feels as smooth as stock. Of course we could have different interpretations of harshness but maybe look into a set of bilsteins to go with those drop springs. Stock shocks and struts won’t last very long with lowering springs.
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2014 SS | MGW Flat Stick shifter | Raceseng Slammer shift knob | Z/28 spoiler and grill
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06-30-2021, 02:47 PM | #5 | |
Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 185
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Quote:
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2012 Camaro SS Convertible: 2SS, LS3, M6, Triple Black. Mods: Solo Axleback, 1LE FE6 rear swaybar, CAGS delete, Vararam CAI, Heritage grill, Hotchkis springs, '15 FE4 struts/shocks, ZL1 side rockers, Velgen Classic5 wheels, Pedders radius rod bushings, ARH LTHs, gutted HFCs,...
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06-30-2021, 05:35 PM | #6 | |
Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 11,435
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Quote:
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TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.
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06-30-2021, 05:36 PM | #7 | |
Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 11,435
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Quote:
__________________
TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.
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06-30-2021, 09:38 PM | #8 | |
Drives: 2014 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Southern California
Posts: 253
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Quote:
Dis they actually last 7 years or did you just get used to the way it felt? I don’t think stock GM quality shocks and struts last that long even on non lowered cars lol.
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2014 SS | MGW Flat Stick shifter | Raceseng Slammer shift knob | Z/28 spoiler and grill
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07-01-2021, 07:11 AM | #9 |
Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 185
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2012 Camaro SS Convertible: 2SS, LS3, M6, Triple Black. Mods: Solo Axleback, 1LE FE6 rear swaybar, CAGS delete, Vararam CAI, Heritage grill, Hotchkis springs, '15 FE4 struts/shocks, ZL1 side rockers, Velgen Classic5 wheels, Pedders radius rod bushings, ARH LTHs, gutted HFCs,...
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07-01-2021, 07:23 AM | #10 |
Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 3,087
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07-03-2021, 08:48 AM | #11 |
Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 11,435
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Yes they did. The reason I had to replace them after 7 years IS due to them starting to feel "weird" and not like they used to. So yea.
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TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.
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07-04-2021, 09:50 AM | #12 |
Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 185
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Just an update. Put on new wheels and tires (275/40s up front) and most of the rough road harshness has been cut by 50%. My guess is that the Pirellis were well worn and provided very little cushion/shock absorption.
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2012 Camaro SS Convertible: 2SS, LS3, M6, Triple Black. Mods: Solo Axleback, 1LE FE6 rear swaybar, CAGS delete, Vararam CAI, Heritage grill, Hotchkis springs, '15 FE4 struts/shocks, ZL1 side rockers, Velgen Classic5 wheels, Pedders radius rod bushings, ARH LTHs, gutted HFCs,...
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