Suspension setting for snow - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Subie_Steve · 2009-12-08, 10:38 AM

I have a set of KW 3's on a 04 STi. i was wondering what setting is best for snow, meaning soft vs. stiff? Thanks

Kevin M · 2009-12-08, 12:02 PM

Full soft, but it's still not going to be very good.

Dean · 2009-12-08, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M

Full soft, but it's still not going to be very good.

Full soft may be too soft and feel bouncy. Not sure how many clicks they have, but 10-20% softer in clicks than optimal might have value, but not much.

The useful damper range for any given spring is pretty narrow if you are really trying to keep the tire in contact with the road which is pretty much what struts are for.

Nick Koan · 2009-12-09, 09:02 AM

Personally, I didn't change mine at all. I would maybe recommend a few clicks softer, but not full soft.

cody · 2009-12-09, 09:58 AM

Didn't change mine either. I run them pretty soft all the time, even when racing.

sperry · 2009-12-09, 10:17 AM

I didn't change my SVX either. It's still set to "almost totally blown due to the quarter of a million miles on them".

I'm pretty sure after all the ice-road-trucking I'm doing this week, the struts will really be toast.

Kevin M · 2009-12-09, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

I didn't change my SVX either. It's still set to "almost totally blown due to the quarter of a million miles on them".

I'm pretty sure after all the ice-road-trucking I'm doing this week, the struts will really be toast.

This. I recommend full soft because when you're driving over the post-melt 4" potholes and washboards, less damping resistance theoretically means less damping wear.

2009-12-08, 10:38 AM	#1
Subie_Steve EJ18 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 510 and 775 Posts: 43 Car: 04 Subaru STi	Suspension setting for snow I have a set of KW 3's on a 04 STi. i was wondering what setting is best for snow, meaning soft vs. stiff? Thanks

2009-12-08, 12:02 PM	#2
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Full soft, but it's still not going to be very good. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2009-12-09, 09:02 AM	#4
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Personally, I didn't change mine at all. I would maybe recommend a few clicks softer, but not full soft. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2009-12-09, 09:58 AM	#5
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Didn't change mine either. I run them pretty soft all the time, even when racing. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-12-09, 10:17 AM	#6
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	I didn't change my SVX either. It's still set to "almost totally blown due to the quarter of a million miles on them". I'm pretty sure after all the ice-road-trucking I'm doing this week, the struts will really be toast. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

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