Springs or shocks? Please help.

[88gtman]

I searched this topic and could not find a direct answer. Here is my problem. I have a 94 Firebird and when ever I have 3-4 people riding in my car is has a tendency to bottom out somewhere under the rear passenger seat on every little tiny bump or dip I hit. This only happens when there are 3-4 people in the car. I have to say I do not have a problem with wheel hop. This leads me to believe that the problem must be my shocks, but I have also heard that springs don't go bad. I can only afford to replace one of the other right now (either the springs or the shocks). Does anyone know from what I have described whether my problem is worn out springs or worn out shocks? I am looking for a straight answer because I am hoping to fix the problem tomorrow. Thanx.

[Vracer111]

Re: Springs or shocks? Please help.

shocks...

The springs shouldn't bottom out on little bumps, big bumps/dips maybe but not little ones.

[CDNFB]

Re: Springs or shocks? Please help.

Generally, springs maintain the vehicle height, while the shocks absorb and dissipate the energy (movement) put into the suspension system.

But if you put in a multi-rate spring, like a Moog Cargo-Coil, you can eliminate any bottoming out, even if you shocks are weak. Unlike the linear force that a standard spring exerts when compressed, the multi-rate spring's force will multiply exponentially during compression.

I put a set of these into my 82' TA and with a fully loaded cargo compartment, 4 people in the car, 70mph on the roughest road in the area around here and the car never, ever bottomed out.

I thinking of putting a set of these into my 99' FB, because it will bottom out with 4 people on the larger bumps.