Anyone changed their shocks/struts to aftermarket products? If so, which brand?

 

Not sure if this will be any help but...

I managed to get a 2005 DB9 about 6 months ago and frankly I was quite disappointed with the ride quality. I actually thought that the previous owner must have fitted track suspension because the ride seemed so firm to me. Having taken an Aston engineer outside for a short spin he confirmed that this was indeed how all DB9's drove. Arghh! So I was faced with the prospect of finding softer suspension somehow. I'm medically retired and therefore completely unable to contemplate the AM option for £5000 (uk) nor the aftermarket suspension specialists (Bilstein, etc) - yes, I know the definition of an optimist being someone who can just afford an Aston and then hopes he can afford to run it! It was a lifelong dream which I had to at least try...

My sort of solution was to find a specialist who was willing to modify the stock dampers. Amazingly I succeeded and it only cost me £500 including shipping!!! They opened up the dampers and changed the valveing to let the oil flow more easily. They set everything using a suspension dynamometer to my requirement of 25% softer damping. THAT was my big mistake - I wanted a significantly more compliant ride but I now find the car is somewhat inclined to float across the road with less directional stability compared to the stock setup. It's not bad, just a bit less confidence-inspiring than it was before. Also I have found myself grounding the front spoiler far more easily and I have to be a lot more cautious with driveways and bumpy or rough roads. On reflection I should have more subtle and limited my change to 10 or 15% softer but (being disabled and a cheapskate!) I didn't want to end up doing more than one modification.

This MAY be one way to go for you but it isn't easy finding the right people to do the job in the first place and then you have to be ready to try different solutions. These may include damping AND springs. In fact, the specialists I used told me that they could also supply adjustable dampers for about twice the price - not bad, all things considered. Unfortunately they told me this AFTER the dampers had been modified, returned and refitted to the car! My fault, I guess, for having gone to them with a very specific request so they took it to mean I must of course know EXACTLY what I really needed! So an adjustable damper is a very good idea If you don't know exactly what change you need to make.

Another option would be to find out more about using a different make, or even size, tyre although I would recommend driving another member's car with those tyres on to make a truly worthwhile judgement.

I doubt you will get absolutely the right answer from my varied suggestions but, with patience and perseverance, you may be able to find your perfect solution without selling the car!

Cheers, Mark

 

Hi Mark

Thank you for taking the time to explain your experience. Seems I'm not losing my mind and not the only one who thought the standard suspension was just too hard.

I found a mechanic in Florida (car there for the winter) who suggested exactly what you did, change the valving on the shock and get one that is adjustable. So that's the next move.

Thank you again for the confirmation that we are on the right track.

Cheers and season greetings.
Hylton

 

Might I suggest that you may also want to pay some attention to the tires.

The Bridgestones are horribly hard I have found the Michelin PSS are much, much better.

 

You are correct. Car had Bridgestones. The suspension was so hard, got sidewall bubbles in first week I had car. Now running PSS's. Put 295 rear and 245 front. On stock rims. Fit fine and look great. But did little to improve ride quality. Now I'm told Pirelli was way to go. Maybe when these get used up.

With thanks
Hylton

 

I am a little late seeing your post, but I have swapped out the springs on my DB9. I have the prototype lowering springs from Stuart at VelocityAP. I know you mentioned shocks, but springs are also worth a look. Especially since Stu just listed a sale on them. Its worth noting that I have the sportspack suspension and noticed an improvement in comfort.

Also, I had a 07 DB9 Volante and the suspension in general was much softer, so those springs might actually be a bit stiffer, while still absorbing bumps just as well as the sportspack springs. Stuart can probably give you a much better idea, and might even pair them with some shocks with his sale going on if you twist his arm.

Good luck with your search.

 

Does anyone know why there are different part numbers for the spring shock assembly for manual vs auto cars?

I have an 09 manual with sports pack and I find the suspension too damn stiff. Would like to soften it up a bit. And definitely not lower it any further. I've heard that the stock parts from a volante would be the softest.

 

Maybe try BC Forged in Orlando and talk with them about thier coilover setup. This might be able to get you softer while allowing for changes in the future. I cannot believe owners say the suspension in a DB9 is too hard. Wow. It is soft IMHO and could easily use stiffer. I went with Velicity AP springs and they helped smooth out the ride, not harden or soften.

 

Spring rates differ for weight of vehicle and transmission options. Auto/volante is going to weigh more than your car, doesn't make sense how that combo would make your car softer. The condition of tires and pressures are another concern for ride. Colder weather doesn't help.

 

I found that the Euro (UK) spec suspension was WAY too soft on my DB9 Volante and research showed that the suspension on Euro Volante's was set-up for the cruising US market. I have a piece of road local to me where doing 70mph in a negative dip, (not a jump) would bottom the car on a car with perfect suspension, ie, not wear or tear.

I removed the shocks and springs and found the spring rates were around 50% softer than the Euro DBS so I had Eibach supply new springs 25% softer than DBS Sport Pack springs and had Bilstein supply some Extended Vantage coil-overs (DB9/DBS shocks are longer) and reassembled them with needle bearing spring seats and the Eibach springs.

OMG, what a transformation. I went on an Aston Martin factory track day where there were some factory test drivers giving help and education. I asked one to take my car around the track (Brands Hatch) to give advice on some setting-up. He came back and was amazed at the handling of the car and a number of the engineers were all over the car asking what I had done and how. I was thrilled and the only advice was to lower the rear slightly to rebalance the car on its cornering limit.

Car was on stock tyres and a dry track. I think you guys over the pond prefer softer suspension than over here in the UK but this set-up is great for our mediocre UK roads.

 

So realize pretty old thread here but figured I'd give a shot. Picked up an 06 DB9 Volante few months back and "noticed" the OEM suspension. Scouring the internet it seems that you, 8tech are perhaps the most happy with your suspension upgrade. Details requested. How much? How did you get it done, ie contact Eibach and Bilstein (happen to have specs handy or who you spoke with) and are you still happy with the transformation. Anyone else do some favorable suspension mods? Thanks for any info and love this car.

 

I am interested as well.

And as an aside, our car's are perhaps the most gorgeous on the road, but beneath where only the mechanic will see them they look like crap. My kit car was better finished.

You can eat off the hidden surfaces of an old Acura NSX, the photos above look like the car (as does mine) is on it's way to the scrapper...