Stereo too heavy!!! Bottoming out!!!

[96firebird311]

My box and subs are too damn heavy! If the car is completely empty other then subs, I have no problems. But if I have stuff in the back seat.... or passengers..... then every time there is even a little wave in the road, my car "bottoms out". I think it's just the two ends of the shocks hit together or something. The car isin't actually scrapping the road. I have already replaced the rear shocks. Not really any improvement. I'm looking for a fix. Some options that have been mentioned to me are airbags, air shocks, spring "spacers" and using larger or stiffer springs to raise the car... then the weight will sink it back down to were it should be. Of course, I'm not looking to spend on arm and a leg, but if that's what it takes.

:(

[pigglyroot]

uhh... 8cyl takeoff springs 'might' help...i'd just find some springs with a stiffer spring rate although that'll make for a rougher ride...or TOSS THE STEREO! ;) j/k...i'm an audiophile myself, not much room for a system in the lightning, im working on a behind-the-seat W7 setup

[Arctc Wolf]

lighter components and box? take out the rear seat. get stiffer rear springs.

[Perry V]

bang in the fender walls..... i have almost 200 lbs worth of stereo equipment in my trunk.... and when i just recently put 18's on my car, i was bottoming out and rubbing my tires when i went over bumps or took sharper turns..... so i banged in the the walls.... and voilla.... problem solved.....

is it ur tires rubbing??? or are u completely bottoming out?

If ur rubbing, bang in the walls....
If ur completely bottoming out.... i'd suggest really stiff rear suspension.

good luck.

[3.4 slow to go]

there really are different rear springs for 6 & 8 cars? or is that jsut some [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] you 4th gens are screwy.

coil spring spacers/compressors can be had @ AZ & other places for like $8 a pack. need 2 for both sides.

[96firebird311]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Perry V:
is it ur tires rubbing??? or are u completely bottoming out?<hr></blockquote>
Not sure. It's just a loud thud. What do you mean by bang out the walls? You mean remove the wheel well walls? Won't I have to worry about water and dirt getting up into the car then?

The stereo is not going anywhere! :D I'm still looking for a solution to this. The newer V8's come with stiffer springs? Or where can I get some stiffer springs? Do those spacer thingies really even work? Thanx guys! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ June 30, 2003: Message edited by: 96firebird311 ]</p>

[MrCoffee]

my front does that on speed bumps
I think its just the shocks going down all the way

[96firebird311]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MrCoffee:
my front does that on speed bumps
I think its just the shocks going down all the way<hr></blockquote>

Replaced my rear shocks. No difference. And I'm 95% sure we have struts in the front.....

[camaro_speedemon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 96firebird311:


Replaced my rear shocks. No difference. And I'm 95% sure we have struts in the front.....<hr></blockquote>

I'm pretty sure we have shocks. I haven't done any research, but I figure since SLP sells take off front shocks from the V8. I could be wrong though.

http://slponline.com/view_product.asp?PARTNUMBER=96307