Honda City i-VTEC VMT (2009): Ownership Review

[anuraagshenoy]

Finally my car is leveled and doesn't look/feel like boat

I can feel the relief you must be experiencing while I was going through the post and good to see the stance return to normal after the adjustment.

So I guess the 'whole issue' was due to improper 'installation' of the springs on the pads making the spring not seat correctly and indirectly causing the spring action to change which was directly related to the 'boat-like' feeling, I presume.

 

[CRACING]

I can feel the relief you must be experiencing while I was going through the post and good to see the stance return to normal after the adjustment.

Yep, I'd say better then normal because ground clearance has increased.

So I guess the 'whole issue' was due to improper 'installation' of the springs on the pads making the spring not seat correctly and indirectly causing the spring action to change which was directly related to the 'boat-like' feeling, I presume.

Sorry for the confusion but that's not what happened.

Last year I got new front struts but didn't replace rear suspension due to stock unavailability so front end sitted higher then rear. Service advisor said front struts will settle down but it didn't happen.

Meanwhile I tried to rise rear suspension by installing spring buffers but it didn't help. Also replaced rear shock absorber recently and obviously it also didn't help.

Now I got coil spring pads (plus size) and that raised the height. Pads alignment is just for securing it with spring so it doesn't go out of place.

Also I believe Honda has made springs stiffer on newer models. ASC got me front struts from facelift model whereas old springs that came with car are soft.

If I had got new springs from ASC then there was no need to use buffers or pads.

 

[Shanky2891]

Universal Front Bumper Splitter (March 2023) & Universal ABS spoiler (August 2023) :

Looks something like from Need for Speed :D
You have done a lot of work with the car. My father has a very less maintained same vehicle and now I want to get it back to it's glory so your post is inspiring!
Pardon my lack of knowledge, though I love driving, mechanical work is not my expertise.

Question 1- It seems like the GC at your rear wheels is lower than the front wheel, is that normal or you have intentionally done something? Because for me it's the other way around.
Question 2- You have upsized your wheels, how is the long term ownership review of that? I also want to increase the GC a bit as it touches all the bumpers around here and it breaks my heart every time it does. If I only up-size the wheels, will they touch the body or will it impact the handling? I love how the car handles originally.
Question 3- You have also upsized the suspension, but yesterday the Honda service centre said the kit which increases GC by +5mm is not available anymore. Do you know where can I get it still?
Question 4- After owning the higher GC suspension kit for several years, would you still recommend someone to upgrade it?

Thanks for your help.

 

[CRACING]

Looks something like from Need for Speed :D
You have done a lot of work with the car. My father has a very less maintained same vehicle and now I want to get it back to it's glory so your post is inspiring!
Pardon my lack of knowledge, though I love driving, mechanical work is not my expertise.

Question 1- It seems like the GC at your rear wheels is lower than the front wheel, is that normal or you have intentionally done something? Because for me it's the other way around.
Question 2- You have upsized your wheels, how is the long term ownership review of that? I also want to increase the GC a bit as it touches all the bumpers around here and it breaks my heart every time it does. If I only up-size the wheels, will they touch the body or will it impact the handling? I love how the car handles originally.
Question 3- You have also upsized the suspension, but yesterday the Honda service centre said the kit which increases GC by +5mm is not available anymore. Do you know where can I get it still?
Question 4- After owning the higher GC suspension kit for several years, would you still recommend someone to upgrade it?

Thanks for your help.

Hello Shanky,

Firstly, I would like to welcome you to TAI forum. I'm glad this thread is helpful to you but it wouldn't been possible without my mentor (Dr Mudhan). You should definitely check his threads, especially 'The Albus' since you also own same car.

Coming to your Questions:

1. I think you saw my car pictures when I got only front suspension overhaul. Rear springs and shocks were still old so it was planted at the back. In normal conditions, as the car gets old and due to engine in the front, the spring gets weak and front end drops. This happens sooner with lesser driven cars because springs sits idle rather then operating up and down.

2. Yes, I'm using upsized tyres for the second time. It has increased GC but only 3mm (theoretically) so that's not a huge difference. We have to keep upsize percentage to 3% max otherwise it may touch the wheel well. Grip has improved due to wider tires but then steering becomes slightly heavy. As of mileage, I don't see much difference.

3. I have just replaced the suspension to new OEM ones and ASC used the parts from facelift model but afaik its not called as upsized suspensions and I'm not aware about upsize kit sold by Honda. I believe facelift model (2012) has stiffer springs so its suspensions sit higher then pre-facelift models (2009-2011).

4. As I have mentioned above, springs get weak sooner on lesser driven cars and it is advisable to replace them. You can replace only springs from the strut but I'm not sure if ASC will do it. I'd recommend replacing all four suspensions (front two struts and rear spring + shocks) so car will be lifted all around. Do note that springs determine the vehicle height and not the shocks.

Getting Honda parts these days is difficult even in ASC. First I only got front suspensions so rear end was planted. They said front end will settle but it didn't happen (Because facelift model uses stiffer springs) so next year I went to get new rear suspensions. SA said rear springs will be fine and only got rear shocks replaced but as I expected, it didn't lift the rear end. I didn't go to ASC again, instead I got thicker spring rubber pads which replaces stock coil spring pads and now my car leveled. However, I wouldn't recommend these alternative fixes until the parts are still available with ASC.

Meanwhile I have also tired coil spring buffers but they are useless. Didn't help with ride height, instead made the suspension more stiffer and noisy.

If you have more queries, feel free to ask me.

Thanks...
Best Regards