Different Springs fitted to 2001 & 2003 Echo's ???

[mr_grumble2010]

I have a 2001 Echo and I have family that also have a 2003 Echo.

I've found the ride quality between the two vehicles to be vastly different, mine is very rough in comparison.

I have just changed the shocks in mine to see whether they were to blame, but found it to be equally as rough.

I know the shocks between the two Echo's are the same, so I suspect that the springs may be different between a 01 and an 03 Echo.

Can anyone confirm this ?

Steve

[rob323]

Springs were basically the same throughout, only the sedans and the sportivos got different ones.

Even different makes of tyres and different air pressure in them will affect the ride.

[mr_grumble2010]

Both sets of tires are within 3 psi of each other (31-33psi), both run identicle shock / struts and appear to be the same spring, so I can't put my finger on what could be causing such a harsh ride in the earlier echo

[rob323]

Both sets of tires are within 3 psi of each other (31-33psi), both run identicle shock / struts and appear to be the same spring, so I can't put my finger on what could be causing such a harsh ride in the earlier echo

If you're in Brissy, I'd be happy to have a look at it sometime. I have spare stock suspension here we can play with if we find the problem.

Short of flogged out bushes and weight differences, the suspension should be exactly the same. My 1999 Echo was very smooth and soft on the stock suspension.

[mr_grumble2010]

Both sets of tires are within 3 psi of each other (31-33psi), both run identicle shock / struts and appear to be the same spring, so I can't put my finger on what could be causing such a harsh ride in the earlier echo

If you're in Brissy, I'd be happy to have a look at it sometime. I have spare stock suspension here we can play with if we find the problem.

Short of flogged out bushes and weight differences, the suspension should be exactly the same. My 1999 Echo was very smooth and soft on the stock suspension.

Affraid not, Sydney way

Bushes seem ok when I recently swapped out the struts / shocks, weights are near identicle, the only components not changed are the factory springs

Springs usually sag and make the suspension get softer rather than harder

Slower bumps seem to be fine, it's just the short, sharp bumps that are more noticable, enough to make EVERY bit of plastic trim inside noisy as buggery !!!

Steve

[rob323]

Well that only really leaves the bearings in the strut tops, the lower ball joints, play in the wheel bearings and the two bushes in the lower control arms.

Where new/ different bump stops used when the new shocks were put in? Or were the originals re-used?

Can you tell if it's coming from the front suspension or the rear?

[mr_grumble2010]

Well that only really leaves the bearings in the strut tops, the lower ball joints, play in the wheel bearings and the two bushes in the lower control arms.

Where new/ different bump stops used when the new shocks were put in? Or were the originals re-used?

Can you tell if it's coming from the front suspension or the rear?

Bearings in the top struts felt pretty good when I changed the struts recently.

Ball joints, wheel bearings and control arm bushes seem to feel tight with no apparent slack or obvious 'noises / clunks' on small bumps etc.

The rough ride is just that....rough, no mysterious noises that would suggest worn components etc.

Both front and back are equally as rough, rear probably worse as it doesn't have the weight to dampen out the bumps.

Original bump stops were re-used, I couldn't find anything wrong with them, can't imagine how they'd have a continuous effect on ride quality though ??

What about tires ???

As I've already stated, tire pressures are identicle to that of a later model Echo, however they tires I have are quite old (possibly original fittment, from a donor vehicle)and the rubber seems to have hardened. Could this effect the way in which the tire flexes, giving the same effect of having over-inflated tires ?

[rob323]

Yes, tyres will make a big difference.