Reducing dive under braking...

[*tim*]

...whilst maintaining stock suspension height?

How can this be done? I don't really want to fit lowered springs to stiffen the suspension up as I've found the floor on a couple of occasions already

I'm thinking along the lines of Koni FSD's dampers but keeping the stock springs. Anyone know if this would work, and whether the dampers can be fitted to the vRS, some places say they can't but others don't mention (in)compatibility at all

Opinions appreciated.

Tim

[TeflonTom]

yeah, it's fine fitting the stock springs to the fsd's

[*tim*]

Quick of the mark there Tom. Thanks

Got any experience of how it would drive?

[TeflonTom]

to be totally truthfull.... no... but however they will definately fit ok, imho the fsd's felt a little strange at first on mine, but once the new springs(i've got koni springs) settled down it now feels a lot better...

the other alternative for you is to use the TDI lowering springs rather than the vrs ones, they have a higher ride height but have the same poundage(stiffness)

[53FabiaVRS]

Te reduce dive under braking. You should plan ahead and brake earlier. I view braking like the curve of a rugby ball. At first, look way ahead into the distance and see what hazard, junction etc is approaching. Position the vehicle on the road and apply gentle braking, increasing it slighty to slow the vehicle. Once the speed starts to reduce then the amount of pressure needed should be reduced. So once you are almost stopping, reduce the pedal pressure so you dont get that jerk forward most people get when they come to a halt. You should try to make your driving as smooth as possible. This puts less strain on the car and makes tyres brakes etc last much longer.

[Neo_VR]

Originally Posted by TeflonTom

to be totally truthfull.... no... but however they will definately fit ok, imho the fsd's felt a little strange at first on mine, but once the new springs(i've got koni springs) settled down it now feels a lot better...

the other alternative for you is to use the TDI lowering springs rather than the vrs ones, they have a higher ride height but have the same poundage(stiffness)

NO NO NO!

under no circumstances use the TDI springs... the vRS has another 60kg over the nose than the tdi, and the springs sag too much.. you would suffer more diving and actually have problems scraping your undertray with these springs

[*tim*]

Ok, no TDI springs. Even if they were suitable I wouldn't want to go any higher, it already looks like a 4x4 - hmm, theres an idea

[*tim*]

Originally Posted by 53FabiaVRS

Te reduce dive under braking. You should plan ahead and brake earlier. I view braking like the curve of a rugby ball. At first, look way ahead into the distance and see what hazard, junction etc is approaching. Position the vehicle on the road and apply gentle braking, increasing it slighty to slow the vehicle. Once the speed starts to reduce then the amount of pressure needed should be reduced. So once you are almost stopping, reduce the pedal pressure so you dont get that jerk forward most people get when they come to a halt. You should try to make your driving as smooth as possible. This puts less strain on the car and makes tyres brakes etc last much longer.

YAWN!

[ncarring]

Hmmm, marketing rethink required

[TeflonTom]

Originally Posted by Neo_VR

the vRS has another 60kg over the nose than the tdi, and the springs sag too much..

the springs i got from koni were listed as fitting the sdi, tdi, 2.0 and vrs

[ScoobyChris]

While I agree with 53FabiaVRS's sentiments, the Fabia does have very pronounced diving and pitching even under the gentlest application of the brakes/accelerator. I opted for a set of Eibach springs and dampers, but I'm not sure if just the uprated dampers will solve it as it's the springs which increase the "stiffness".

Chris

[ncarring]

The dampers will just wear out quickly, if not matched with springs to suit.

[*tim*]

After reading more on the internet it seems that FSD's are designed to be used with standard strings up to 30mm drop, as the vrs is 25mm it should be okay. As too whether it would have the desired effect I don't know.

[vindaloo]

Only thing I can think of is to fit either a "spring helper" of some sort. Fit a thickish dense rubber tubing over the lower rate part of the front springs would work. It'd force the higher rate part of the spring(s) to do more.

IMO it's mostly a spring thing, you can meddle with the progression of weight transfer with fancy dampers but you've got to get the springs somewhere near acceptable in the first place.

HTH

J.

[ric04vrs]

more/better compression damping on the shock absorber will stop the diving especially in conjunction with uprated springs

does anybody make shockers for the Fabia with adjustable compression ?

[Disco_Mikey]

TBH, i like the ride on my vRS, however, with some "enthusiastic" driving, iv found it bottoms out too easy. I was thinking along the lines of dampers only, with standard springs. Dont want to make it too harsh as i do a lot of miles in it...

[anonymouse]

I think Wardy fitted Koni FSDs to his motor - do a search

[Wardy]

Yes, indeed - Eibachs plus Koni FSDs here.

To be honest, I'd get them in conjunction with the Eibachs. Just take a little more care over speed bumps. Pretty much the perfect everyday setup, and I've tried every major combo on the Fabia platform, bar a coilover type setup! Near standard ride comfort and compliance, a touch harsher maybe, but hardly noticeable. Then when you want to press on, the dampers stiffen up.

You could just fit them with standard springs, yes, and they would make a positive difference. But I'm not sure you'd notice an improvement on the dive reduction front. You need a reduction in the spring coil for this to happen, or for the springs to be stiffer. You'd be missing out by not upgrading to Eibach springs at the same time.

Well worth the money in my book

Steve

[*tim*]

Thanks all for your replies, it seems that uprated dampers are recommended however with uprated (lowered) springs as well - this is gonna be expensive

Just too clarify a few points, I've never bottomed out on public roads nor by driving too fast, and I can't even remember the last time I drove over a speed hump The main problem is when I drive down muddy path / tracks and sump guard bumps on the raised middle section of the path. Generally only mud and stones so doubt it'll cause much damage....

Cheers all

[Wardy]

It's a fairly expensive setup, there's no doubt. You could go to coilovers for less.

Just changing to Eibachs would help the most with nose dive, and for the least amount of outlay too. But you will notice a reduction in ride comfort and compliancy, and the OEM dampers will wear out quicker. Maybe look to replace springs now, and dampers later??

Steve