I've been thinking about replacing the suspension on all 4 corners of my Honda Element. It has a pretty short wheelbase and with its age, it's become bouncier.
The Element is a keeper, so I was planning to buy whole OEM assemblies and do the installation myself. That should get me close to the original ride quality.
However, for an acceptable amount more money, there are custom coilover setups that I could get with custom springs and damper valving. Originally, the kits were made to be able to lower Elements one or a few inches. However, I can also order the kit with longer springs of varying spring rate, then adjust the spring perch up higher, getting the same ride height, but with more spring. I think I could also potentially get a dual rate spring setup.
So, help me understand what it takes to get better ride quality from the suspension. For now, let's assume the wheels/tires and ultimate ride height (stock) are constants, and that the shocks will always be valved appropriately for the spring rate. Is it just a matter of getting the softest spring that will hold the weight of the car?
Thanks for any thoughts!
Shock and spring setup for better ride quality
- Thread starter EdwardC
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OK, so fully 1/2 of ride quality is the tires. Higher aspect ratio and lower tire pressure will help a lot. So if they are riding on 60's, go to 70's and drop the pressure.
Next, a lot of the ride quality comes from the rubber bushings in the suspension. If the rubber is getting hard, that will lead to less compliance and that leads to harsher ride.
Very unlikely the springs are the issue ...
Shock valving can have a very dramatic effect on ride quality. How progressive the valving is is one way. Ranch0 9000 shocks have user adjustable valving and can get you the ride quality you want, just spin the dial 
Oh, I agree completely. I have no doubt there's nothing "wrong" with my current (I'm certain I could save a few bucks by reusing my old springs), or new OEM springs. I'm just curious if I could potentially do better. I'm running the stock tire size, 215/70R16, with decent tires.
Shock valving is something I hadn't really looked into. I know the coilovers have adjustable valving, but I don't know the parameters of those adjustments.
It needs need shocks/struts to restore the original ride quality. Speaking of ride quality, I just looked at the road test on Consumers Reports, which usually has a bias towards Honda and Toyota. They state the Honda Element has a stiff, choppy ride.
While I would replace the shocks on all four corners since your describing your Element has become bouncier over time, I'd learn to live with the ride.
Are you looking for a ride that is more absorbent to road irregularities or a ride that is a bit more cushioned/floaty?
Being bouncy is the biggest Element complaint, you're far from alone. Especially in the rear. According to many that have tried and failed, its the design, the shape. So its not something you can't easily get rid of if at all. Many say adding weight in the rear helps. That means maybe the springs are too high or too strong. Lowering the center of gravity, lowering the springs should help.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Are you looking for a ride that is more absorbent to road irregularities or a ride that is a bit more cushioned/floaty?
Originally Posted By: Rand
What tires do you have on it?.. That is part of the equation as well.
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Originally Posted By: EdwardC
[quote=Rand]What tires do you have on it?.. That is part of the equation as well.
Just get the OEM Honda quick struts, and be lucky that Honda offers complete assemblies from the dealer
How many miles on your Element? What year is it? For the early cars 03-06, Monroe makes quick struts for all 4 wheels. For the later cars 07+ they only have the rears available. There is also a rebate if you buy by 1/30
How many miles on your Element? What year is it? For the early cars 03-06, Monroe makes quick struts for all 4 wheels. For the later cars 07+ they only have the rears available. There is also a rebate if you buy by 1/30Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Just get the OEM Honda quick struts, and be lucky that Honda offers complete assemblies from the dealer
How many miles on your Element? What year is it? For the early cars 03-06, Monroe makes quick struts for all 4 wheels. For the later cars 07+ they only have the rears available. There is also a rebate if you buy by 1/30
How many miles on your Element? What year is it? For the early cars 03-06, Monroe makes quick struts for all 4 wheels. For the later cars 07+ they only have the rears available. There is also a rebate if you buy by 1/30 Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Being bouncy is the biggest Element complaint, you're far from alone. Especially in the rear. According to many that have tried and failed, its the design, the shape. So its not something you can't easily get rid of if at all. Many say adding weight in the rear helps. That means maybe the springs are too high or too strong. Lowering the center of gravity, lowering the springs should help.
The problem with the Element and similar vehicles is that the shocks are too short in the rear. This is a very common engineering problem that always causes bad ride behavior.
The coil over is probably your best way to go. I've done those on a number of modern Hondas, and was able to tune the suspension just right every time.
Ride, grip, handling, and absorption all improved without any changes to the tires or wheels.
Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
The problem with the Element and similar vehicles is that the shocks are too short in the rear. This is a very common engineering problem that always causes bad ride behavior.
The coil over is probably your best way to go. I've done those on a number of modern Hondas, and was able to tune the suspension just right every time.
Ride, grip, handling, and absorption all improved without any changes to the tires or wheels.
Is your element an SC? They had lowered suspension which means even less suspension travel.
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Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
The problem with the Element and similar vehicles is that the shocks are too short in the rear. This is a very common engineering problem that always causes bad ride behavior.
The coil over is probably your best way to go. I've done those on a number of modern Hondas, and was able to tune the suspension just right every time.
Ride, grip, handling, and absorption all improved without any changes to the tires or wheels.
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Is your element an SC? They had lowered suspension which means even less suspension travel.
That's the ticket. If you get one that has the split "helper" springs at the top, ride over the chop will be even better.
Soft dampening with strong rebound is the way to go on the shocks.
Last Honda I did had 3 problems:
Tore it's tires off in first and second gear when aggressive
Got wobbly when maneuvers made at higher speeds
On poorly paved roads, the tires would literally skip
This was with a low mile stock suspension.
After installing and dialing the coil overs (Tein JP brand), first or second shift seemed to suck the car to the ground. Kid you not. Lunged like a stab of the brakes. No slip. Take a corner or swing it aggressively, and it just conquered the maneuver. Things that felt like they took up 90% of the car's capability went to feeling more like 40%.
The ride was the best improvement. Where this car (08 civic Si) would get silly over poorly paved roads, it now just went through like a comfortable sedan.
This was with stock wheels and tires.
Just take your time, take notes, and keep adjusting. All in all, we spent about 3 weeks dialing it in. It was a MASSIVE improvement from the get go, but you just notice things, feel different kinds of ways, and refine your taste. At the end of 3 weeks, we knew exactly what settings to put for any occasion at all.
Just throwing this out there....were you happy with the ride when new? The reason I say this is because ride quality so slowly dimenishes that you can't tell over time. So by the time the shocks/struts are completely worn and you replace them you SUDDENLY realize what you've been missing. If this is the case - just replace all with new OEM or even a Quick strut assembly from Monroe or something.
I bought it used with about 56,000mi on it (Elements were discontinued already), but I've driven many Elements and I'd say that I was satisfied with the ride. It was always a little rough riding, but I was ok with it.It's a valid question, I think I would be totally satisfied with OEM replacements, but since I was spending the money, I thought coilovers might be a way to improve the ride even better than new.
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