Washed suspension today = better handling?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Oceansaide CA
Washed suspension today = better handling?
All the aluminum was black with brake dust and random road grime. Took the wheels off, sprayed everything down with oil eater, and went at it with a brush. Power washed it all out, looks pretty darn spiffy now. Got in, drove around, now the ride is way nicer. Handles same, but bumps dont resonate through the whole car anymore.. How can this be? Not that I mind, but it didn't make sense to me. A slight change may be understandable, but this feels like I got new shocks!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Your shocks were lifted when you took the wheels off...this will make the ride feel softer when first going out.After a few miles,the shocks settle back to its lowest position and the harder ride comes back.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Bill's86Coupe
Your shocks were lifted when you took the wheels off...this will make the ride feel softer when first going out.After a few miles,the shocks settle back to its lowest position and the harder ride comes back.
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I ALWAYS feel like my car's riding better after I wash/wax it 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: South Cave, Brough East Yorkshire
Lol. Thought it was just me.
It`s wierd though - i`d swear that my vette feels tighter in the wet than in the dry - maybe it`s just the water being channelled through the grooves in the tyres - but i wondered - if the old rubber bushes are on their way out, would they swell up when they get wet and temporarily make the car feel better ?
Dom
Dom
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What was the "oil eater" you used?? If it was petroleum based, you may have simply "greased" the various bushings on the control arm 
That would have solved any binding problems in the bushings.
That would have solved any binding problems in the bushings.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Oceansaide CA
Umm, it's a product they sell at my local costco, very similar to Simple Green, except much cheaper, and works better IMO. Very harsh stuff, but gets the oiliest, thickest crap off instantly. My other car I had a PS leak, rear seal leak, and the whole bottom had like 50 pounds of fluid layered with grease layered with dirt. After I fixed the high side hose and the seal, I sprayed everyhting down with Oil Eater, brushed it lightly, and sprayed with normal hose - everything came off, looks like it's new. Good stuff. Doubt it's petro based, but I am going to lube my bushings with something now.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by MikeDrum2112
... and happy cars give better rides ... they just love getting shown a lot of attention ... I know my old lady gives a better ride when she's shown some attention.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by bogus
yea... it's not so much the shocks, as it is the springs. Those transverse leaf springs are junk... I hate'm. As soon as I can get the $$ I am doing a coil over conversion.
