Bottoming Out Problem

[elkindw]

I just installed my rear KYB AGX shocks to go with the front KYBs and Eibach Prokit. With my front KYBs and stock rear shocks and the Prokit I had a problem with bottoming out when there was more than just me and a passenger. When I received my rear shocks and compared it to the stock one the KYB was noticable softer. now that was on the first setting but still. Now with them on the car and on the first setting I bottom out all the time with just me in the car. Is this normal, will it handle better being softer in the rear or what? What are other peoples experience with rear shocks? Thanks in advance.

[Byrd14]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

i thought the stiffer the better... at least for autox...

[IICODECll]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

I bottom out constantly myself. I was told to get an adjustable panhard rod or higher springs.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

I bottom out constantly myself. I was told to get an adjustable panhard rod or higher springs.

PHR? That won't do anything!

Either stiffer shocks or springs.

[87SC/SS]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

Try replacing the rubber snubbers on the rear, they're probably rotted away. My 94 Camaro did it and I replaced the snubbers and instead of hearing that loud bang in the back the snubbers absorbed it (I tried new shocks and springs before hand, they helped but still bottomed out the suspension when I had more than 2 people in the car and hit a bump). My 95 Firebird does it now, just haven't gotten around to changing them out.

[techsan23]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

i used 1" rubber spacers on my rear springs when i had my body kit on. id like to go w/ a stiffer spring but i dont want to lower the rear.

[elkindw]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

The rubber snubbers are those the same thing as the bump stops. So if I wanted a better handleing car I need stiffer shocks right? What do yall suggest since my plan to use KYB all around doesnt work? My springs are good I have the eibach prokit which has been on my car for about three months.

[elkindw]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

i thought the stiffer the better... at least for autox...

Thats what I thought too. Thats why I asked Im afraid that its hurting my handleing?

[IICODECll]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

PHR? That won't do anything!

I haven't a clue. I read it in a thread. Something about the rear axle being offset so much due to lowering springs and needing to be re-adjusted.

[87SC/SS]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

Yes the rubber snubbers are the same as bump stops.

When setting up your car for handling its usually best to go with a system. Hotchkis I've heard is the best for Fbodies. Some things I did to make the car more stable is box the LCA's and PHR. You can get the metal from Home Depot for $16 (includes 6.5% FL Sales tax :-D ) and if you have a welder and the skills all you're out of pocket is $16 and a days worth of work. When I'd launch the car if there was wheelspin, the rear end would hop like crazy. After boxing the LCA's it plants and goes. The LCA's help keep the rear end from torquing from side to side while the PHR keeps the rear end from shifting from left to right. I wouldn't worry about an adjustable phr they're expensive and you need to know what you're doing to set them up. If you box the LCA's and PHR it'll keep the rear end from moving around, in effect helping you're handling. Also strut tower brace in the front will help as well as subframe connectors. Fbodies are unibody so their not the sturdiest vehicles (compared to a Vette which is full frame, I belive hydraformed aluminum). So stiffening up the corners isn't going to do a whole lot if the body flexes in every direction. You need to stiffen up the body then focus on the shocks and springs. Thicker antisway bars will help too.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

the agxs are adjustable. did you try adjusting them?

[elkindw]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

Yea I have set them all the way to eight which is the stiffest setting, I can tell that it gets stiffer but it still bottoms out easier than the stock shocks. I have sent a couple of PMs to some people on here who have the same set up as me and they say that even on the first setting it doesnt bottom out. They said it rides about like stock on the first setting. So Ill give jegs a call in a few min and see what they say.

[Christopherrr]

Re: Bottoming Out Problem

To stop bottoming out is simple...

Like said before...stuffer springs and shocks.