What's up guys. I had my Swift springs installed on my 2012 X coupe over the weekend and it looks fantastic and the ride quality didn't suffer too much. However, I'm starting to feel unsafe in the car. On some bumps the rear feels really squirrely, almost as if it's going to lose traction. And once in a while at higher speeds I get this really floaty feeling which I can only assume hydroplaning must feel like. Is this a loose hardware issue or has anyone heard of something like this? I like the look and the ride but I'm not interested in losing it on the highway on my way to work. Would really apprecaite some feedback.

 

Did you get an alignment? If no, this is the main culprit. If yes, what are your current specs?

 

Yes I had SPC cambers kits installed front and rear and got an alignment. Here's the specs.

Front Left
Caster: 4.58
Camber: -0.31
Toe: 0.03
Front Right
Caster: 4.96
Camber: -0.67
Toe: 0.07
Rear left
Camber: -1.08
Toe: 0.14
Rear Right
Camber: -0.96
Toe: 0.12

 

Your alignment looks good. Props to you for going the right route and getting the alignment kits!

I had the same exact feeling with the OEM springs, especially in the rain and snow. The car felt like it had its own agenda and was never completely under control. This lessened when I had the lowering springs installed, but there were two other modifications that helped a lot. Better tires (compared to the OEM Dunlops) and a stiffer rear sway bar (I went with the OEM RWD sway bar). this has made that feeling go away entirely for me, but I definitely know what you are talking about. I used to also say the car felt like it was trying to kill me, lol.

 

Yeah I'm pretty salty that I did the right thing and I'm still having this issue haha. I'll have to be careful and see if anything changes, but if not I'll have to go back to stock springs. I can't drive a car that's unsafe every day. Wish I had known before dropping all the money on parts and install lol. Any advice would be awesome.

 

Keep in mind Swift uses a stiffer spring rate than OEM, and combined w/ the more compressed state of the OEM damper your firmed-up ride will take some getting used to.

As far as being unsafe, if you don't feel safe driving your car I doubt anything done to your current setup will ease that feeling much, maybe a bit more front camber will help, especially if you do a lot of spirited driving.

The only other alternative would be a softer spring rate and I believe Tanabe is the only spring that fits the bill for the AWD Gs. The Eibach springs have spring rates comparable to Swift.

You didn't happen to change to different tires/wheels at the same time by chance?

 

That is scary indeed. I have swift springs and do not have that problem. I did have sway bars installed before I added the springs which could be why I don't notice this.

 

did you reinstall everything full droop or did you preload the suspension then tightened the bolts..

 

Applying Suspension Preload - TEIN USA Blog

 

My G37x Coupe felt like that with all OEM parts. First thing i did was to replace the crap oem Dunlop tires.... (I went with Michelin Pilot A/S 3's) this helped A LOT. Next was a FSTB (Cusco). This improved the front steering quit a bit... but then i starting thinking about lowering springs for the look and to tighten the *** end. Then i found Ryne's write up about changing the rear sway (17mm) to a journey (i believe it's 26mm).... The rear sway bar is the single best $50 i could ever spend WOW it's not loose at all now!!!!

 

OP, one other thing~Did you get your alignment right after installing springs?
If so the springs may have settled enough to throw your alignment off.
If you waited the typical 5-7 days then never mind

 

Yes, that happened to me also. I had to get a second alignment due to the car not feeling right.

 

I had the alignment done the same day they were installed. I plan on going back for another in about a week to get it all checked out again. It didn't feel as bad today. I think I'm coming to your suggested conclusion that it will take some getting used to. I think I might just be feeling what's going on under the car more than I have before and it was weirding me out. But still, there is the occasional hop that makes my heart leap. I'm going to give it a few days and be extra cautious and feel things out.

 

What sway bar did you install? I've seen some people mention doing this but I haven't looked into it at all. Is it an expensive mod?

 

For whatever reason the G37X models have a very small rear sway bar. The RWD journey & sport have much larger diameter tubing so it provides better sway control. The OEM RWD journey sway bars can be found often on this site for about $50 plus shipping give or take. It's a part you can install yourself if you have jack stands.

Hopefully your springs have settled some more and your alignment has changed enough to cause some of that floaty feeling and the fresh alignment will get it driving more like you're used to.
Keep us posted.