Installed Tanabe GF210's in my Sedan, now I bottom out.

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May 27, 2009 | 09:32 PM
  #1  
I installed Tanabe GF210 350Z springs on my car and the car looks absolutely sick! I have adjusted my D-specs to near maximum to allow for a smooth ride ( a little bumpy on rough roads but the car feels VERY planted ) and I am generally happy with the springs.

The problem is that SOMETIMES ( somewhat rarely ) my car bottoms out on very rough roads even when driving somewhat slow. My bump stops are cut but now I'm wondering if maybe I cut them too much ( I cut them a long time ago so I don't even remember how much I cut them ). When looking into the wheel well, I notice that the upper A arm is hitting the shock absorber tower ( which is what causes the clunk noise ). It's happened twice today over the same ultra screwed up road with the shocks at 2 turns from maximum firmness so I put them at 1 turn from maximum to see if it helps.

How do people with very low cars keep from bottoming out? Or is it normal for it to happen every so often? I don't have a picture right now but the tires just barely barely have any space left before they go into the wheel well ( I can put a finger in there ).

BTW- my exhaust scraped everywhere....lol...
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May 27, 2009 | 09:58 PM
  #2  
lol the price of putting one of the lowest 350 springs on a gsedan
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May 28, 2009 | 02:00 PM
  #3  
Quote: lol the price of putting one of the lowest 350 springs on a gsedan
Tell me about it...lol.

Today I have yet to bottom out so I guess I'm okay for now. Car is pretty stiff with the shocks set so high but it feels awesome at speed.
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May 28, 2009 | 02:02 PM
  #4  
Got at pic of how low it is?
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May 28, 2009 | 02:05 PM
  #5  
Looks like you are going to ruin your suspension in short order.
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May 31, 2009 | 01:16 AM
  #6  
Quote: Got at pic of how low it is?
I would also LOVE to see a pic of this setup...
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May 31, 2009 | 01:48 AM
  #7  
what did you really expect? The spring rates are pretty low and your suspension doesn't have much travel. Bottoming out is inevitable
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May 31, 2009 | 03:36 AM
  #8  
pics would be greatly appreciated.
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May 31, 2009 | 08:19 AM
  #9  
Quote: what did you really expect? The spring rates are pretty low and your suspension doesn't have much travel. Bottoming out is inevitable
I expected what little bit of bump stop I have left to stop it but I think it's way too short. I'm buying new ones tomorrow. I'll take pics today and post them up.
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May 31, 2009 | 07:54 PM
  #10  
Here are some random pics I took today.




Here is a before and after:



Keep in mind my tires are slightly smaller in diameter than OEM 18's to make the wheel look somewhat bigger and to have more tire choices ( I use 225/45 in front and 245/40 in rear vs. the oem 235/45 all around ).
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May 31, 2009 | 11:32 PM
  #11  
looks good!
hmm i thought it would lower ther car more on sedans with z springs
r u running a camber kit?
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Jun 1, 2009 | 02:26 AM
  #12  
Quote: looks good!
hmm i thought it would lower ther car more on sedans with z springs
r u running a camber kit?
It lowered it enough that the exhaust scrapes against EVERYTHING...lol. I'm running no camber kit for the moment.
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Jun 1, 2009 | 02:32 AM
  #13  
that's not low at all... My car is on the same wheels/tires with the front fenders tucking tire and the rear fenders sitting right on top of the tire. This is why you get coilovers. Buying springs and shocks separately that weren't specifically designed for eachother can cause problems, and you probably spent nearly as much as a set of coils.
-GP-
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Jun 1, 2009 | 02:59 AM
  #14  
That's not that low. I think it's just the type of exhaust you have.

I'm lowered on S techs and I think my drop is more than that. I have a Greddy Evo2 catback (singly tip) w/ a somewhat medium-large size can, and it scratches sometimes as well.
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Jun 1, 2009 | 10:20 AM
  #15  
Quote: that's not low at all... My car is on the same wheels/tires with the front fenders tucking tire and the rear fenders sitting right on top of the tire. This is why you get coilovers. Buying springs and shocks separately that weren't specifically designed for eachother can cause problems, and you probably spent nearly as much as a set of coils.
-GP-
Well it's definitely not the lowest, but it is almost 2" lower than stock. In the before and after pictures, the before was with Z springs which already lower it 1". I've spent about $700 between springs and shocks but it's because I never expected to go lower and I'd take a beating if I sell them right now to get coilovers.
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