Suspension, TERRIBLE ride...

[mr_waxdope_noodle]

I think it’s very subjective. There are people here who tell you they’ve lowered their vans and they ride great but there are others who basically dispute that being possible.
Personally I have the original very small 2008 wheels and Conti Vancontact tyres. I tend to think the ride is quite good and I don’t expect a van to ‘handle’.
However, I have been wondering about spending a little on an upgrade though, to these Bilstein B4 dampers when I get my brake pads done at next service.
View attachment 101739

Absolutely agree with you this is subjective.
I’m just a little bit shocked with a quality of ride tbh with you, as this is my first van I don’t have a lot of previous experience to compare with (moving from X5). I’ve booked an inspection with great local guys, let’s see what they say. However, I have a strong feeling I’ll need to invest into suspension upgrade.

Just to be clear I’m not talking about some rattle noise here and there. I’m taking about a knock/hit/punch into the car’s body on every single bump or pothole. I’m trying to make Cali my daily drive but this is driving me nuts

 

[kurienp]

Absolutely agree with you this is subjective.
I’m just a little bit shocked with a quality of ride tbh with you, as this is my first van I don’t have a lot of previous experience to compare with (moving from X5). I’ve booked an inspection with great local guys, let’s see what they say. However, I have a strong feeling I’ll need to invest into suspension upgrade.

Just to be clear I’m not talking about some rattle noise here and there. I’m taking about a knock/hit/punch into the car’s body on every single bump or pothole. I’m trying to make Cali my daily drive but this is driving me nuts

If you're getting the suspension checked, for a 2010 Cali, the first thing I would do is replace all the suspension bushes. In certain conditions The rubber deteriorates very rapidly and is one of the key components that makes the ride nice. Replacing the shocks without replacing the rubber bushes may not give you the required smoothness in ride that you desire.

Replacing all the bushes is not an expensive item unless you go for Poly bushes all around which will make the suspension perform even better.

Yes, suspension upgrade. Should I really include replacing all bushes.

Enjoy the Cali!

 

[WelshGas]

Did anyone find a solution? Just got a Cali SE 2010, great camper but horrible ride on bumps, too harsh, same as original post. What should I look at?

Firstly, what size wheels, tyres and are the tyres correctly inflated to correct pressures?

 

[Californication69]

I’ve just spent £550 on Purple powerflex bush kit and waiting to be fitted to the Saab. I’ve heard it’s like driving a brand new car. Will let you know.

 

[kurienp]

I’ve just spent £550 on Purple powerflex bush kit and waiting to be fitted to the Saab. I’ve heard it’s like driving a brand new car. Will let you know.

I got quoted 350 for parts (poly bushes + hunter alignment) and 600 for labour for the Cali about a year ago. Not done it yet, but I suspect, as with everything else, the prices would have gone up.

Is that 550 including labour?

 

[Californication69]

I got quoted 350 for parts (poly bushes + hunter alignment) and 600 for labour for the Cali about a year ago. Not done it yet, but I suspect, as with everything else, the prices would have gone up.

Is that 550 including labour?

Parts only

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Absolutely agree with you this is subjective.
I’m just a little bit shocked with a quality of ride tbh with you, as this is my first van I don’t have a lot of previous experience to compare with (moving from X5). I’ve booked an inspection with great local guys, let’s see what they say. However, I have a strong feeling I’ll need to invest into suspension upgrade.

Just to be clear I’m not talking about some rattle noise here and there. I’m taking about a knock/hit/punch into the car’s body on every single bump or pothole. I’m trying to make Cali my daily drive but this is driving me nuts

Yeah that doesn’t sound right.

An X5 is famously excellent though. It’s a very high benchmark.

Let us know what you do and how much!

 

[Lambeth Cali]

If you're getting the suspension checked, for a 2010 Cali, the first thing I would do is replace all the suspension bushes. In certain conditions The rubber deteriorates very rapidly and is one of the key components that makes the ride nice. Replacing the shocks without replacing the rubber bushes may not give you the required smoothness in ride that you desire.

Replacing all the bushes is not an expensive item unless you go for Poly bushes all around which will make the suspension perform even better.

Yes, suspension upgrade. Should I really include replacing all bushes.

Enjoy the Cali!

What do you mean by not expensive?

The following posts seem to suggest almost £1k or is that for something special?

 

[kurienp]

What do you mean by not expensive?

The following posts seem to suggest almost £1k or is that for something special?

Poly bushes are expensive. Normal bushes will be half the price or less. But yes, labour cost may be the same ... so yeah, not cheap (to be precise, you are right, rather expensive ) but when doing the bushes along with the suspension, then the labour costs will be subsumed/included under other labour costs.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Poly bushes are expensive. Normal bushes will be half the price or less. But yes, labour cost may be the same ... so yeah, not cheap (to be precise, you are right, rather expensive ) but when doing the bushes along with the suspension, then the labour costs will be subsumed/included under other labour costs.

Am I right in thinking it’s best to go to a specialist to fit this stuff or get my trusted local garage to do it?

I was hoping the latter might do B4 shocks as this is I think an OEM swap.

 

[Perfectos]

Am I right in thinking it’s best to go to a specialist to fit this stuff or get my trusted local garage to do it?

I was hoping the latter might do B4 shocks as this is I think an OEM swap.

There is nothing too technical about replacing the bushes, in some instances they may need a power press ( for the wish bone bushes) if you go that route, otherwise the anti roll bar bushes are a simple Swap,

 

[mr_waxdope_noodle]

Firstly, what size wheels, tyres and are the tyres correctly inflated to correct pressures?

235/55r17
Front: 44psi (unloaded)
Rear: 39psi (unloaded)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WelshGas]

235/55r17
Front: 44psi (unloaded)
Rear: 39psi (unloaded)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I run the same tyres on 17”, but 44 all round. It is a 4Motion, and have absolutely no complaints regarding ride quality. Original components for suspension that are 118,000 miles and 8 yrs old.

 

[mr_waxdope_noodle]

I run the same tyres on 17”, but 44 all round. It is a 4Motion, and have absolutely no complaints regarding ride quality. Original components for suspension that are 118,000 miles and 8 yrs old.

Lucky you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pjm-84]

My 2p... standard ride is rubbish. Mine is now where I want it having gone down the lowering option, , which made it even worse on the front, and then finally B14 Komfort coilovers.

I'm on 18in.

 

[KGCali]

I recently changed the front and rear suspension and all the bushes on my 2010 4Motion that's on 112,000 miles, standard 17" rims and Cross Climate tyres as the front suspension was very crashy and wallowy and the rear felt like it was bottoming out. Turned out the front top mounts where shot, the suspension slightly leaky, the rear dampers had no rebound and the front and rear mounts and anti-roll bar bushes were well beyond their best but I guess that's expected on a 12 year old van .
All parts were replaced with oem parts, apart from Bilstein B6 dampers on the rear, and it now drives and handles great on standard height.

A list of my parts fitted by Dan, a great local mechanic (https://m.facebook.com/dubzbydanpage), can now be found on my earlier post here...

Post in thread '4Motion Suspension and Springs Wanted' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/4motion-suspension-and-springs-wanted.45770/post-605080

 

[sidepod]

Ride height has no bearing on ride stiffness.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Lucky you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Having watched a couple of YouTube videos of people taking the suspension apart, disconnecting driveshafts etc I’m starting to doubt whether for me this is worth the hassle/expense. I had dreamt of spending £300 on some Bilstein B4 shocks and paying someone less than £300 to fit them. That seems unlikely. I have a feeling John at my garage would say “what do you want to do that for?!”
My ride isn’t that bad at all and my van is at 55k miles only after 14 years and most of that was on French motorways.

I would be interested to know what you do, what you fit, where you take it and how much it costs. Plus of course, if it works.

My 2p... standard ride is rubbish. Mine is now where I want it having gone down the lowering option, , which made it even worse on the front, and then finally B14 Komfort coilovers.

I'm on 18in.

How much did this cost? And where did you get it done? I’m assuming this is properly expensive. Tbh I would happily pay for a good upgrade but I’m in the dark about where to take it.

 

[CALI FATE]

After 100k my shocks were worn out and leaking - i was never impressed with the crashy ride
i called Steve at CRS suspension and explained i wanted to improve the ride - like to original ride height, but that the back is sagging.

He recommended new Koni special active shocks all round - and send free of charge new T32 springs for the back.

It is a much better ride - total cost installed locally around £1000

Id say give Steve a call - he is very clued up and happy to advise

 

[Ch1pbutty]

After 100k my shocks were worn out and leaking - i was never impressed with the crashy ride
i called Steve at CRS suspension and explained i wanted to improve the ride - like to original ride height, but that the back is sagging.

He recommended new Koni special active shocks all round - and send free of charge new T32 springs for the back.

It is a much better ride - total cost installed locally around £1000

Id say give Steve a call - he is very clued up and happy to advise

For those in the South, can recommend Bognor Motors. They take the time to listen to you, and won't just tell you to lower your suspension with a comment such such as "the difference is night & day mate". Their carpark is full of T5,T6's which is alwas a good sign!

They fitted H&R ARB to our Beach (suspension unchanged) £500, + Revo stage 1 remap £349 which has increased mpg on longer motorway runs. Running 17inch wheels with Conti van contact.

Only negative with the ARB's is that you tend to feel potholes more!...but guess this could be overcome with an active shock, but only a minor niggle.

We didn't want any rims bigger than 17" as we carry a matching alloy spare, so can just sort any puncture out at a later date, tyres tend to be cheaper with more choice on the smaller rim. When tread gets low we just buy a full set of Delivery mile wheels + tyres (£500 approx) and stick the old set on ebay to offset the replacement cost.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

CRS certainly seem to get great reviews on T6 Forum

CRS Performance – Specialist Suspension Systems and Tuning

crsperformance.co.uk

So does the California have good anti-roll bars already?

 

[66tim99]

My 2p... standard ride is rubbish. Mine is now where I want it having gone down the lowering option, , which made it even worse on the front, and then finally B14 Komfort coilovers.

I'm on 18in.

Anyone thinking about ordering a new Cali should consider spec’ing the Dynamic Chassis Control. It allows the dampers to be softened or firmed up via a button on the dash (eco, comfort, normal, sport). It also weights up the steering. You can waft along motorways and reduce wallow on windey roads.
£1500 we’ll spent and means you don’t need the aftermarket upgrades (lowering, coilovers etc) in my view.
Also, I had an ARB upgrade, but when the factory ARBs were removed from my MY22 we found they were only a couple of mm smaller than the upgrade. Im not convinced you need to upgrade the latest Cali ARBs.

 

[Californication69]

Anyone thinking about ordering a new Cali should consider spec’ing the Dynamic Chassis Control. It allows the dampers to be softened or firmed up via a button on the dash (eco, comfort, normal, sport). It also weights up the steering. You can waft along motorways and reduce wallow on windey roads.
£1500 we’ll spent and means you don’t need the aftermarket upgrades (lowering, coilovers etc) in my view.
Also, I had an ARB upgrade, but when the factory ARBs were removed from my MY22 we found they were only a couple of mm smaller than the upgrade. Im not convinced you need to upgrade the latest Cali ARBs.

For others who might want to have Air (VB or Bilstein) added later. You can’t with Dynamic Chassis control option.
Will cost another £100 to have standard shocks installed.
Just wanted to add for others knowledge.

 

[M88GAV]

I had ST-XA coilovers fitted to my MY22 4 motion Ocean a week after I picked it up from the dealer. It’s lowered around 40-50mm. The difference is very very noticeable. No more crashing on speed bumps etc, it’s more comfortable and handles very well for a heavy box! I just spent the weekend driving around the country lanes of Wales and it made me enjoy driving again (which can’t be said for the outskirts of London, where I live). I had the work done at Bognor Motors and would highly recommend them

 

[BrendanJ]

Another fan of CRS here. My California ocean was terrible handling
Wallowy into bends, felt unstable on motorways and into roundabouts and useless in hilly or bendy roads like Lake District or Yorkshire dales
I was becoming a very nervous driver and not enjoying
They fitted Koni special active shocks, lifted the rear with washers to get better nose down and stop under steer and also H & R Arbs
I’ve fallen in love with the van again
Whatever your specific gripes, talk to CRS, real experts , no bullshit