Reducing Tire/Suspension Noise Over Bumps with Fit Sport?

[gcisko]

Any suggestions on improving the bouncing/jarring I get when driving the Fit Sport AT over roads that have moderate repairs? If these repairs (slight dips, sewer covers, tar filled cracks, etc.) are not really smooth, the Fit gives a good bounce with each road imperfection as it passes over these. This seems to be more noticeable when going less than 40-45 mph. If I get on a road that has these every 50 feet or so, the ride can be quite annoying.

On roads where there are gradual dips and bumps, not a big deal at all. On smooth roads the car rides like a dream. But the little annoying imperfections as I described in the first paragraph, (even if only a half inch to an inch high) make for a crazy ride considering this is a new car.

Does anyone else notice this? I did check the tire pressure on the tires - they were set at 32psi, so that's not the issue. My only guess is that this is just what you get ina $15,000 car with the combination of larger rims, lower sidewalls and stiffer rear suspension.

I read the posts of others that say this car rides so well and I wonder what road conditions they're driving on. (I'd actually be happy to hear that I just have something in my car that needs warranty repair and once it's done, I'll also have an acceptably smooth ride across the board of road conditions.)

My brother rode in the Fit with me, and he just attributed the ride to the sport suspension. His 2002 Cougar XR has a sport suspension and also rides harshly on non-smooth roads like my Fit.

Any comments on your rides on choppy roads? Please post!

[Paulo107]

its kind of funny cause i know what you are talking about..i feel that bounce to and i say to myself it feels like i cut the springs LOL...thats how sprongs feel when you cut them, but just worse...it does its choppy ride...my only suggestion cause this bouncing does not bother me at all if you are planning to is get coilovers which i dont know if it were to take care of the problem or maybe...still waiting on doug write up about his T1-R coil overs...unless he has posted it and have not read it...

[kkim]

Originally Posted by gcisko

My brother rode in the Fit with me, and he just attributed the ride to the sport suspension.

FYI, both the base FIT and Sport have the same suspension other than wheels/tires.

I put 205/50-15 tires on 15x7 wheels on my base. The ride is choppy at highway speeds, due to the firm spring/shock tuning that comes standard on the car. Still, the MINI I just sold had suspension settings that were even stiffer than the FIT, so it's all relative. I think Honda did a great job of finding a shock/spring combo that is sporty and handles well and still preserved ride compliance and quality.

[Okietom]

Drive slower. No fun but less bounce. Would improve MPG also. Spoken like a true middle aged father.

[Paulo107]

Originally Posted by Okietom

Drive slower. No fun but less bounce. Would improve MPG also. Spoken like a true middle aged father.

wish i can do that, but the Fit does have some pep

[cheffyjay]

The rear suspension is very compact and simple. It also needs to be able to handle variable loads in the back so this is the compomise. I would recommend going down to a 14" wheel and a 195 60 14 tire for some improved comfort. Try TireRack.com!

[dougiepants]

The write-up will be posted today sometime... Also with my views on the stock suspension.

The OEM suspension reminds me a bit of an H&R Sports/Nuespeed Sports Springs w/ an AGX Shock set to 1 setting. As the car is on a smooth surface the car rides like a dream as stated above in other people's posts. Once you get onto a road surface that is not in the best of shape, speed bumps, or other types of obstacles the fit gives off the feeling of a stiffer suspension. This is like this because of how the GD3 is designed around the wheel base. The GD3 feels as if the Mini does under the same conditions. The wheels are at the further most points of the GD3 chassis. This also being that the GD3 is a short chassis than the Miata, EK, and almost EG. Means that the imperfections of the road surface will also be overly exaggerated. So you are feeling nothing out of the ordinary and what Honda basically was planning on the feeling of the GD3. Also remember that the front of the USDM GD3 may still possibly have the JDM/EURO GD1/2 suspension since it using the 19mm front alignment bolts instead of the 17mm's that the JDM/EURO GD3's use. This would affect the GD3 a bit if the USDM GD3 is still using the JDM/EURO GD3 rear suspension.

[aziatiklover]

Originally Posted by dougiepants

The write-up will be posted today sometime... Also with my views on the stock suspension.

The OEM suspension reminds me a bit of an H&R Sports/Nuespeed Sports Springs w/ an AGX Shock set to 1 setting. As the car is on a smooth surface the car rides like a dream as stated above in other people's posts. Once you get onto a road surface that is not in the best of shape, speed bumps, or other types of obstacles the fit gives off the feeling of a stiffer suspension. This is like this because of how the GD3 is designed around the wheel base. The GD3 feels as if the Mini does under the same conditions. The wheels are at the further most points of the GD3 chassis. This also being that the GD3 is a short chassis than the Miata, EK, and almost EG. Means that the imperfections of the road surface will also be overly exaggerated. So you are feeling nothing out of the ordinary and what Honda basically was planning on the feeling of the GD3. Also remember that the front of the USDM GD3 may still possibly have the JDM/EURO GD1/2 suspension since it using the 19mm front alignment bolts instead of the 17mm's that the JDM/EURO GD3's use. This would affect the GD3 a bit if the USDM GD3 is still using the JDM/EURO GD3 rear suspension.

thanks for the infos man

[dougiepants]

No problem bud... Pictures are done for the write-up and starting the review...

[Jonniedee]

Originally Posted by cheffyjay

The rear suspension is very compact and simple. It also needs to be able to handle variable loads in the back so this is the compomise. I would recommend going down to a 14" wheel and a 195 60 14 tire for some improved comfort. Try TireRack.com!

Just say NO to the 14's - You must be on Edmunds board too
I REFUSE to be sold this line of s*** that 14's give a better ride than 15's!

[kdepew]

14 inch wheels should give a smoother ride than 15 inch wheels. If you go with 14 inch wheels, you would go with a higher profile tire so that the overall diameter of the rim and tire would be the same. A higher profile tire will have a taller sidewall and will absorb more. If you really want a softer ride, then 14 inch wheels should help.

On the other hand, I'd much rather have the stiff suspension and the look of 15 inch wheels.

[cheffyjay]

Originally Posted by Jonniedee

Just say NO to the 14's - You must be on Edmunds board too
I REFUSE to be sold this line of s*** that 14's give a better ride than 15's!

Not sure what an Edmunds board is but it is not the wheel but the aspect ratio of the tire that can help with ride quality. The 15" wheel is a plus one size for the fit, the 16" option is plus two. Would you not agree that going up to 17 or 18" wheels with their 35 series tires would adversely affect ride quality? Wouldn't going to a 60, 65, 70, or 75 (God forbid) series tire conversly soften the ride? (please don't put 70 or 75 on your car gcisko!)
195 60HR14 is plenty of tire for this little car.
The Fit's stiffer suspension and subsequent firm ride are what enables the car to handle and stop safely and securely, as well as to scoot through Car and Driver's 'lane change' test as fast as a Corvette ZO6. More softly sprung cars, especially in this price range can be unsettlingly floaty and sloppy in even low-speed accident aviodance situations.

[Jonniedee]

Originally Posted by cheffyjay

The Fit's stiffer suspension and subsequent firm ride are what enables the car to handle and stop safely and securely, as well as to scoot through Car and Driver's 'lane change' test as fast as a Corvette ZO6.

This was achieved with a Fit Sport - on 15" wheels!