Front suspension very soft / bit low

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major_slackr
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Joined: 22 Mar 2020 05:59 pm

Front suspension very soft / bit low

Post by major_slackr » 23 Mar 2020 12:35 pm

Hiya,

The front suspension on my 340 looks a little low and feels very soft so looking for some advice and pointers please!

It easily hits the bump-stops over relatively minor bumps in the road, which is annoying and not going to do it any good as a daily on the roads round here... The dampers appear working as they stop after one depression but it all feels very soft. I am thinking it probably needs new springs but should the dampers be ok still? I have read changing the oil can firm them up a bit which would be nice... also if the springs need changing what are the options? Ideally don't want to spend a fortune on fully adjustable for front and rear if I don't have to, but I am looking to give the car nice solid (compliant but firm) handling for the road.

I see classic Swede does a wide range of dampers and springs but not sure whats best for the 340...

Cheers!
------
340 GL 1.7 '89

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bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
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Re: Front suspension very soft / bit low

Post by bogbasic » 24 Mar 2020 08:48 pm

Hello, great looking car. I have just got new springs and damper inserts from Ebay and local spares shops but I am sure Dai at classicswede can advise.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

360beast
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Joined: 27 Dec 2013 08:40 pm

Re: Front suspension very soft / bit low

Post by 360beast » 24 Mar 2020 11:16 pm

If you want to firm it up then look in to some new dampers and 1" lowering springs and blocks.

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bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
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Re: Front suspension very soft / bit low

Post by bogbasic » 25 Mar 2020 12:15 am

When you do the swap you will be able to check the strut cups. Chances are one or both will need repairing - Dai does this too. My preference is for originality, rather than lowering, etc, but that's partly because mine are driven along a boggy track, or at least they were before we had to stay at home, arf!!
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Tofufi
Posts: 13
Joined: 26 Nov 2019 10:05 pm

Re: Front suspension very soft / bit low

Post by Tofufi » 27 Mar 2020 08:24 pm

I was of the impression that 360 front springs are stiffer than 340 ones.

I've 360 front springs in my B230FT 340 and the front isn't massively soft.

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major_slackr
Posts: 3
Joined: 22 Mar 2020 05:59 pm

Re: Front suspension very soft / bit low

Post by major_slackr » 06 Apr 2020 07:00 am

Thanks for the replies, ended up getting new shocks, 1" lowered front springs, bump-stops, top-mounts etc from Dai @ Classic Swede.
Fitted over the weekend and results are excellent :-) - coupled with the GAZ adjustable rear shocks it now drives like you would want it to! rear had sagged enough that it sits nice and flat, just a bit lower and looks really good.
------
340 GL 1.7 '89

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