Pedders Bump Steer thoughts

[Rollin on Dueces]

Well folks, I heard alot of hype about the pedders suspension lately, with the most interesting (to me) part being the bump steer bushing.

To fill you in a little about my car and myself, I had lowering springs originally on my car and drove 70 miles a day, 6 days a week. I absolutely hated the steering wheel play that was going on all the time. That is the only reason why I switched to a UAS airbag suspension.

Well I had my airbag suspension on for over 2 years, and I didnt have that much movement in the steering wheel, so I have been happy. Well, as some of you know, I have taken a few things off of my car to make it more of a daily driver.

So, I have changed the front struts with kyb and have put the eibach prokit springs on it. I really didnt want to get rid of the airbags, but for personal reasons, it was the right thing to do. Man, was I going to dread getting the shaking steering wheel thing going again. That is when I stumbled across a few threads about this bushing. So I figured, what the hey, might as well give it a try. I will gladly pay 80 bucks to get rid of that problem.

Well, today was the first time that I have driven the car without airbag suspension. I have been anxious to see how it drives. Well, in one word....AMAZING! Now I know a few of you probably have doubts, and that is fine, but ill tell you, it seems great having a perfect riding car. Especially when I was expecting it to ride like sh!t. I drove the car probably 130 miles today on all types of pavement. Steering feels solid and no shakes. What even impressed me is that when I hit the brakes hard, it dampens the shakes to almost nothing (my brakes have taken a beating and I am sure are warped and whatnot. Every time I stop hard the whole car shakes. I know, it is definitely time for new pads/rotors).

I will keep this thread alive, as time will show the real side of things, but I will also post pics up tomorrow to show you the new suspension. This thing is lowwwwww (trimmed a little of the springs off to get the crazy low look).

Thanks Rob !!!

[Bud]

Thanks for the review Rob. I'm getting sick of the bump steer in my car. It is the one thing that I feel once corrected will make my suspension feel flawless to me!

[Hemi4me?]

Nice story cant wait to get more feedback! Give a call if you guys also want to check out the kit. Its not a tough install and its only $80.00 for the upgrade!

[monty1269]

Anyone got an install thread of this kit?

[Hemi4me?]

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/suspension-handling-modifications/59961-bump-steer-kit-first-impressions.html#post726304

Here are the directions!

[Rob@WretchedMS]

Thanks for the good words man, look forward to hearing more!

[Rollin on Dueces]

here is a pic of the car. With it this low, I would think that the steering would be shot and the car all over the road, but I am wrong. It actually rides just as good as it did on airbags. AND NO MORE SHAKES IN THE WHEEL!!! WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/6/web/762000-762999/762185_68_full.jpg?124615-232

[Rollin on Dueces]

Rob, I have a question for you. Lets say, if you had stock suspension (springs/shocks) and both shocks are either bad or very close to being bad. Will that lower the car down from what it was stock? The reason why I ask is because this is the Eibach prokit on my car, and we trimmed 1 ring off of it, and I do not think it was supposed to be this low. I do know that my shocks are bad off in the rear. With putting your rear shocks on mine, will it stay at this height or will it raise up a little?

[formerice]

I replaced every bushing that Pedders makes for my RT Magnum that has 136,000 miles. Was apprehensive that it might hurt the ride. No worries, ride is great, cabin noise is reduced, but the steering and handling is amazing. Way better than when it was new! Rob has excellent service, BTW

[Rollin on Dueces]

I replaced every bushing that Pedders makes for my RT Magnum that has 136,000 miles. Was apprehensive that it might hurt the ride. No worries, ride is great, cabin noise is reduced, but the steering and handling is amazing. Way better than when it was new! Rob has excellent service, BTW


Right on! I havent done much with them, but what little has been done I am completely satisfied.

[dms motorsport]

Rob, I have a question for you. Lets say, if you had stock suspension (springs/shocks) and both shocks are either bad or very close to being bad. Will that lower the car down from what it was stock? The reason why I ask is because this is the Eibach prokit on my car, and we trimmed 1 ring off of it, and I do not think it was supposed to be this low. I do know that my shocks are bad off in the rear. With putting your rear shocks on mine, will it stay at this height or will it raise up a little?

With the exception of the rear Nivomats, worn shocks will not drop your LX. Putting on drop coils on OEM shocks, by reports on all the forums, there is an esculation of reduced shock life.

You would be better off installing a shock that is made for a drop coil.

Putting Pedders shocks on will improve the ride qualit because they can improve the control of the spring/suspension much better.

Also dropping your vehicle, makes the bump steer problem on the LX even more of a problem. So be aware of this.

Did I answer all your questions? If not, just ask

thanks
mike
dms

[Rollin on Dueces]

alright, so what you are saying is that if i were to put your rear shocks on this car that it will remain at this level (will not raise any).

Also, do you recommend putting a camber kit on my car. I am sure that my tires will be worn quick like it is now. Will it correct it enough to make a difference?

[DannyC]

I have the Eibach Pro springs on the front only but I have noticed any steering issues. Can you explain this?

I do notice a slight pull depending on which lane you are in. I had the car 4 wheel aligned after putting the springs on but if you are in the right lane it pulls ever so slightly to the right and if you are in the left lane it pulls ever so slightly to the left. Just figured it was the way the LXs were.

[Rollin on Dueces]

I dont know if you are directing this question to me, but I will give you my input. When I originally had lowering springs on the car 1.6" drop, the car, first of all rode aweful. As a result of it riding aweful, my steering wheel was shaking all of the time. I dont know if the bump steer makes it turn better, but I do know that it dampens the vibrations from the road alot. Makes for a less tiring ride since you dont have to wrestle the steering wheel the whole time.

[DannyC]

I haven't had anything like that going on. Thanks for the reply.

[Rollin on Dueces]

I see that you have the kdw's on your car. That softens the ride alot. I have a land rover that rode aweful on stock tires and I decided to go with those tire because they are so soft and man, it makes for a comfortable ride. Maybe that is it? I dont know, but this is my first experience with Eibach. I had some cheaper springs on it last time before the airride. There are alot of factors, but I know with the setup I have it rides smooth.

[dms motorsport]

alright, so what you are saying is that if i were to put your rear shocks on this car that it will remain at this level (will not raise any).

Also, do you recommend putting a camber kit on my car. I am sure that my tires will be worn quick like it is now. Will it correct it enough to make a difference?

Putting our our shocks will not change ride heights. Springs do that.

Also our front and rear adjustable bushings, will change cambers a lot, The rear can be as much as 1.5 degrees change.

If you need it really depends on where your cambers will be.


mike
dms

[dms motorsport]

I have the Eibach Pro springs on the front only but I have noticed any steering issues. Can you explain this?

I do notice a slight pull depending on which lane you are in. I had the car 4 wheel aligned after putting the springs on but if you are in the right lane it pulls ever so slightly to the right and if you are in the left lane it pulls ever so slightly to the left. Just figured it was the way the LXs were.

Lowering the vehicle increases negative camber, which will make the suspension more sensitive. You said you had a 4 wheel alignment performed, but i actuality, you have a 4 wheel referenced toe set front and rear. On your LX, front and rear cambers and casters are not adjustable, therefore not a 4 wheel alignment!

About the only thing that can be done, and with limited success, is trying to shift the engine cradle to change cambers. In your case, shifitng the cradle to the right would add negative cambers o the right, and add positive cambers on the left. This will give you more road crown bias. However, still may not be enough. Now this is assuming all your suspension is sound, and you are not having a tire pull. I do beleive there is a bulletin on moving the engine cradle assembly.

mike
dms

[OLJustice]

I was considering a camber kit from you guys or someone else due to EXTREMELY BAD crown sensitivity and loosey goosey steering in my charger. Well I took it to a dealer for a cradle shift for more negative camber and more positive caster and the problem has been dramatically improved. Alls I need is a toe alignment for that damn pull to the left and off-center to the right steering wheel and I think I'll finally be happy. My point is not to knock your camber kit, but just to suggest that people try the cradle shift first. You never know-and it may save a few bucks.

[dms motorsport]

I was considering a camber kit from you guys or someone else due to EXTREMELY BAD crown sensitivity and loosey goosey steering in my charger. Well I took it to a dealer for a cradle shift for more negative camber and more positive caster and the problem has been dramatically improved. Alls I need is a toe alignment for that damn pull to the left and off-center to the right steering wheel and I think I'll finally be happy. My point is not to knock your camber kit, but just to suggest that people try the cradle shift first. You never know-and it may save a few bucks.

I actually have not seen the bulletin for the cradle aligment, but do understand it is out there. Unless I am missing something, I have in fact loosened a front cradle completely and for kicks, tried to get it to move, but had very little to no success. But again, I have not seen how Chyrsler wants you do to it.


I did reocommend the process on my previous post. But it still may not be enough to compensate for road crown. In fact, your vehicle still may not be OK. You can find out after they re-adjust your toe.

It is interesting that most LXs have very little road crown sensitivity. Then there are those small amounts that are ridiculously sensitivite. Go figure........

Best of luck

mike
dms