I am one of those who likes to fiddle with suspension. I do, however, like to do things one at a time, and am not too proud to put them back as they were if I turn out to be wrong. I drive a '96 9000 Aero, and wanted better handling without sacrificing the "big car" ride. Apart from fitting an Abbott Racing suspension kit (I'd have been rather annoyed to have had to take *that* off again), I have fitted polyurethane bushes in a couple of places. Having done the front lower control arm bushes with not-super-hard poly bushes, torque steer is gone (I fitted brand new rubber bushes first to compare) and steering much sharper. I have noticed a very slight tendency to follow the road surface, but on balance, I feel I have made an improvement.
Poly bushes on the rear anti-roll bar neutralised the handling, and this, of course, is where you must compromise in your job, as I believe my car could be a tad dangerous in the wrong hands under certain conditions. It is, however, much more manoeuvreable now.

I have some limited knowledge of mechanical engineering which I try to apply, but realise I am no expert. At the end of the day, my compromises are probably different to those of the 9000's target market, and while I like to experiment, I'm happy to be wrong and try again (so long as it doesn't cost too much!).

I hope we can take you up on your offer to answer questions, as the one thing I know for certain about suspension tuning is that I don't know nearly enough!

On another point, and speaking now as a professional engineer (not in the mechanical field, though), I understand your frustration with marketing people. I, too, have had to compromise the design of good products to suit what the customer *thinks* he needs (or what *Marketing* thinks the customer thinks he needs). At the end of the day, though, it is the customer who pays my salary...

posted by 62.253.64...

• On Bushings and deflection..., 2Slow, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 14:43:14
  • GREAT DIALOGUE. Thanks to all. n/m, Stealthbomber, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 19:32:18
    • I agree!!! Very informative. (n/m), IrieTom , Thu, 15 Nov 2001 09:25:03
  • it's obvious you know nothing about saabs..., chrisx, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 21:52:40
  • Re: On Bushings and deflection..., Dean, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 17:10:24
    • Some experience..., Schu, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 21:02:38
      • Re: Some experience..., 2Slow, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 09:27:03
        • Sorry. Just adding an interesting tidbit of info., Schu, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 12:03:06
          • Re: Sorry. Just adding an interesting tidbit of info., 2Slow, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 13:27:25
      • Some more experience..., George D, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 21:30:34
    • My understanding is ..., BillJ, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 20:24:08
  • riddle me this ..., Kevin K , Tue, 13 Nov 2001 17:05:25
    • Re: riddle me this ..., 2Slow, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 10:08:49
      • Re: riddle me this ..., 2Slow, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 10:37:40
        • C900 camber, Kevin K , Wed, 14 Nov 2001 11:19:09
          • Re: C900 camber, 2Slow, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 14:02:32
    • Re: riddle me this ..., 2Slow, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 10:08:49
  • Very interesting post. Thank you., BillJ, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 15:24:05 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Very interesting post. Thank you., 2Slow, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 15:56:01
    • Re: Very interesting post. Thank you., lms, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 15:40:19
      • Re: Very interesting post. Thank you., 2Slow, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 16:28:55
        • That's is why i said almost., lms, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 17:05:45
          • -1.3 on my spg, dave n, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 21:02:32
            • Wow, what a post. Now, lets talk tires and slip angles, lms, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 16:12:36
              • there is no slip with my bridgestones! Q for 2slow, dave n, Thu, 15 Nov 2001 23:01:56
              • Re: Wow, what a post. Now, lets talk tires and slip angles, 2Slow, Thu, 15 Nov 2001 09:55:46

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• Prev by Date: Haven't seen it yet., ckpaden, Tue, 13 Nov 2001 14:52:33
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