QA Coil Shocks

[cutlassmann]

I notice sense I put on a pair of QA Coil Shock that my car drives a little ruff and I get a vibration in the front I thought about going back to coil spring and shock any idea I have the car drop 2" in the back with QA shocks and coil spring thinking I should have did the same in the front.

[69 rs ss]

I have 1972 442 drop pro touring I am using the QA1 fronts and they suck so bad stiff as hell and my car is a bouncy mobile I'm trying to figure this out right now

[1967ls2]

I'm running qa1's up front on my 67 camaro. Not sure what's going on with mine. I think the shocks are dead or something. Ride is super rough & the front end floats up and down. I was going to buy some new shocks & see if that solves my problem.

[cutlassmann]

do you have the coil over shocks

[1967ls2]

Yes, single adjustable coil overs. I'm gonna buy a new set soon with a higher spring rate so I can see which rate rides better

[Rod]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/rustycamaro/media/Popcorn_zps10bf4825.gif.html)

[cutlassmann]

Do you think just the reg Set up ( coil spring and shocks ride better)

[marolf101x]

Do you know the spring rate?
Do you have a dyno sheet for the shocks?

The spring's purpose is to statically, hold up the weight of the car. Spring rate determines ride quality to some extent by altering the wheel rate, which changes the frequency.
If the spring is a "normal" street rate the frequency remains low (around 1Hz). The suspension reacts more slowly, allowing bumps to be absorbed, and the passengers in the car feel a more comfortable "floating" ride.
If the spring is a "race" rate the frequency increases (around 2Hz). The suspension reacts more quickly, so not as much energy is absorbed but instead transferred to the passengers. This gives them a more "sharp, jagged, bouncy" feeling.

Shocks have a much greater affect on ride quality as they can typically react much faster than the spring. In many shocks you can have huge force values at only 0.5 IPS (inches per second) in both compression and rebound. (For reference, travelling down a smooth road is 0-3 IPS, a small bump is 3-6 IPS and a pothole is above 15 IPS.)
If the shock has a lot of compression damping you'll feel that "sharp, jagged, bouncy" ride as the shock is resisting suspension movement and transferring that energy to the passengers.

Front to rear shocks and springs need to be "balanced" as well. If they are not you will likely get a "bucking" ride, where one axle handles the bump without issue, but the other axle pops over the bump, resulting in poor ride quality.

This is just some very basic information on what a spring and shock do, and what causes poor ride quality. Hopefully this helps you locate the issue.

[cutlassmann]

ok well I'm getting a shake from the front I have had my shocks replace my front end rebuilt I'm running new Bf goodwrench g-Force T/A™ KDW fronts are 245-45-18 and 295-35-18 rear when I'm doing about 70 when it starts shaking then smooth out when i hit 80 mph i have had the tire rebalance twice only about 500 mile on the tires any suggesting.

[kevmurray]

ok well I'm getting a shake from the front I have had my shocks replace my front end rebuilt I'm running new Bf goodwrench g-Force T/A™ KDW fronts are 245-45-18 and 295-35-18 rear when I'm doing about 70 when it starts shaking then smooth out when i hit 80 mph i have had the tire rebalance twice only about 500 mile on the tires any suggesting.

Can you either borrow a set of wheels or put your old ones back on to see if it goes away? This might isolate it to the new wheels.

[kevmurray]

ok well I'm getting a shake from the front I have had my shocks replace my front end rebuilt I'm running new Bf goodwrench g-Force T/A™ KDW fronts are 245-45-18 and 295-35-18 rear when I'm doing about 70 when it starts shaking then smooth out when i hit 80 mph i have had the tire rebalance twice only about 500 mile on the tires any suggesting.

Can you either borrow a set of wheels or put your old ones back on to see if it goes away? This might isolate it to the new wheels.

Edit: That's strange, I only hit the "post" button once.

[Rod]

OK I'm just going to say it......how come QA1 isn't answering these questions about their shocks

[Skylark]

I have basically the same set up as you OP and had the same vibration issue you have. Do you still have the stock suspension in the rear? Where do you have the front ride height set at? If there is too much rake you will either have to get the rear lowered or get your pinion angle adjusted. When was the last time you changed your U-joints? Is it a fast vibration or does it feel more like wheel hop? I wouldn't be so quick to blame the coil-overs.

My solution was to set the front ride height at it's highest setting, changed out the U-joints and lower the rear a bit.

[1967ls2]

Well my problem is now fixed.

Few years back ordered QA1 coil overs for my 67 camaro LS2/T56. Unfortunately ordered the wrong spring rate (350). Installed and quickly discovered that the springs weren't enough to support the front end weight which was surprising since the ls is lighter than all the other engines I ran before. Basically ran on the bump stops for a long while, possibly years, can't remember how long I put up with it.

Finally ordered 400lb springs and installed. When I swapped them my driver side shock was worn through from rubbing and leaking. So I did the what anyone would do and put silicone on it so no more fluid would leak out (I was lazy and cheap and didn't want to order new shocks). Ride improved but every time I hit a big bump car would bounce up and down like an old caddy.

Put up with this for a few years and finally decided to order new QA1 coil overs with 450lb springs. Installed this weekend and wouldn't you know, it's like a while new car. I bought the single adjustable and set it about the mid way point. Ride is perfect now. The QA1 shocks dampen the bumps in the road perfectly, the suspension is firm but not overbearing.

Just my experience but I'm pleased everything is now working properly.

[cutlassmann]

It feel more like the wheel is not balance in the front when I hit around 65-70 then smooth out when I hit 80+ and I just has my engine and tranny done an they had to shorten the drive shaft because when I had my stock wheels on it I didn't get this issue.