I have KYBs along with lowering springs and the ride is just too rough. I actually believe my steering wheel (which I need to fix) has loosened because of the jolt I get when I hit a bump in the road. Are the Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks any good? I think they are like $35 dollars each and I may just put them on to soften up the ride.
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08:02 PM
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KurtAKX Member
Posts: 4008 From: West Bloomfield, MI Registered: Feb 2002
I had Monroe SensaTracs on another Fiero, and have KYBs on my current Fiero. So maybe I can help here. The SensaTracs are stiffer than stock, but not as stiff as the KYBs. IMO, they're good for someone who wants to improve the handling a bit, but doesn't want a "performance" suspension.
I was doing some autocross and I think that is why I ordered and installed them. That was a while ago. Just the roads here are rough and hitting a bump is painful. And of course I am getting older and it is bothersome.
I am wondering if I am hitting the bump stops? I have not thought about that. Or, are the KYB's that stiff?
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08:35 PM
Bruce Member
Posts: 2189 From: Ventura, California, USA Registered: May 99
I have the sens-a-tracks, also. I was weary of the harsh stock ride, and the Monroes were reviewed well. I like them, but I don't push the car very hard. Should be ok for the average driver. b
I cut the stock springs down two full coils on my '84 and installed Monroe's at the same time. I don't hit the bump stops but yes, the ride is pretty stiff. The stance looks great, but I really gotta now look out for pot holes in the road!
One thing I noticed about the Monroe's is that it takes pressure to compress the shocks/struts whereas the factory units only resisted on the rebound. This alone would make the ride stiffer than stock.
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08:45 PM
LZeppelin513 Member
Posts: 761 From: Lake Stevens, Washington Registered: Aug 2003
I doubt the harsh ride is due to KYBs being too stiff. My 87 had intrax lowering springs and KYBs and I thought the ride was very soft, too soft for my preference. I cut my bumpstops.
I would guess either your dampers are worn in which case you would have a bouncy ride, or you are hitting the bumpstops.
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10:08 PM
Nov 4th, 2010
RotrexFiero Member
Posts: 3692 From: Pittsburgh, PA Registered: Jul 2002
I probably put about 3k on the car since then, but even then I remember the lowering spring and kybs were a rough ride. I tolerated it because I assumed it would help with the autocrossing. Just now I want a more streetable car that I carry a passenger around with and not have them loose a few teeth.
I guess I have to check the bump stops. I dont remember what I did then, but do remember doing something.
Do you think the kyb are just burned out from sitting? Does that happen with shocks? The car was stored inside.
I cut the stock springs down two full coils on my '84 and installed Monroe's at the same time. I don't hit the bump stops but yes, the ride is pretty stiff. The stance looks great, but I really gotta now look out for pot holes in the road!
One thing I noticed about the Monroe's is that it takes pressure to compress the shocks/struts whereas the factory units only resisted on the rebound. This alone would make the ride stiffer than stock.
The sensa-trac's are supposed to get more firm when not at the designed ride height (like when you hit a bump). Do you think lowering the car puts the shocks/struts into the more firm part of the shock?
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10:22 AM
Patrick Member
Posts: 38604 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
The sensa-trac's are supposed to get more firm when not at the designed ride height (like when you hit a bump). Do you think lowering the car puts the shocks/struts into the more firm part of the shock?
That very well may be (I don't know), but the point I was making was that the factory shocks/struts offer no resistance (even when new) while being compressed. The Monroes most certainly do, starting right from the fully extended position. This has got to make for a more firm ride, even without lowering and/or chopped springs being used.
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12:50 PM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
I have KYBs along with lowering springs and the ride is just too rough. I actually believe my steering wheel (which I need to fix) has loosened because of the jolt I get when I hit a bump in the road. Are the Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks any good? I think they are like $35 dollars each and I may just put them on to soften up the ride.
Anyway, I have the same feeling you did. Originally, my 87 SE (when it had low miles), I had stock SE springs, and KYB shocks and struts all around.
The ride was rought. Every rock, pebble, etc... felt like a sledge-hammer to the car, and quite honestly, it didn't really do all that much for the handling anyway. The solution for me (best of both worlds), was to have a suspension that was a lot like the one in my wife's 2002 VW Jetta from back in the day when we owned that car. It had a stiff solid ride, but it wasn't jarring.
The way to accomplish that was to have STIFF springs, and light shocks.
So... this is what I've done with my suspension rebuild, and this is also what I had on my 85 GT before I sold it. In the picture from the link above, I have brand new WS6 springs from the Fiero Store. In addition to the WS6 springs, I am going with Monroe shocks and struts all around. As it stands, I actually have KYB shocks in the front just because I already had them, and I can change them out at any time. They aren't as stiff anymore as they were when new, so I'm using them in the mean time to save money... but in the rear I'm going with MONROES. Then, when I get around to it and everything else is done, I'll swap out the fronts (which take 5 minutes each side) with Monroes. With this type of suspension set-up... the springs (which have much more deflection capability) absorb a lot more of the road disturbances, and therefore you get much less impact to the chassis.
As for the steering wheel... there is a steering damper that attaches to the steering rack. If this shock absorber has failed, you will get much more feedback (steering wheel can jerk out of your hand) and you'll feel it much more. If you can turn the wheel back and forth a little and the tires don't move, then the ball joints and stuff are shot.
I do have 16" all the way around with 225/55 I believe. I know I removed my steering dampener a long time ago. I will hold off purchasing the new shocks until I can get a look at the front suspension. I dont want to spend money, work, and time on something that will do nothing. But, honestly something is wrong, it feel the front is bottoming out, hitting something. Bump Stops maybe? But, handling wise, as long as I dont hit a bump, it is tight and corners like a jackrabbit. Probably why I tolerated it back then, but as I mentioned being older it is just annoying.
Did it bottom out back then? The suspension can deteriorate quite slowly, so that you might not remember what it was like.
What about the classic bounce test? Push down on each corner of the car, and see it the car returns to its initial position and stops, or if it oscillates 2-3 times before coming to a stop.
