Any way to achieve a quieter suspension?

[MoreGooderTT]

I enjoy driving my TT more than, well, just about everything. In my town, the road repair crews can't make a smooth repair if their life depended on it. Thus, my ears get pounded by the impact noise of my suspension as I go over the bumps and ridges.

The obvious way to get a quieter ride, in general, is to get quieter tires. The OEM Bridgestone Pontenza RE050A's are horrible in this regard. But beyond that, is there anything else I can do to make the car quieter over rough roads? I've already had the car sound dampened, which helped with some of the road noise.

Softer bushings? Softer spring mounts? I have no idea here..... I"m willing to traid a bit of handling for ears that aren't ringing by the time I arrive at my destination.

[- Jeremy -]

New tires will help quite a bit. But I don't think you have many budget-ranged options. Basically, you can get new springs or a cup kit which is fairly cheap, but manufacturers don't make them softer... They make them stiffer for better handling. Your only option would probably be an adjustable coilover kit with multi-rate springs. You could adjust it fully soft, but I still think this might be as stiff or stiffer than stock. I don't know

Where do you live?

- Jeremy -

[MoreGooderTT]

St. Louis MO.
I have mag ride suspension, so there's no new shocks or struts as an option.

What about the control arm bushings? The cushions on the top an bottom of the springs? Is there any way to isolate some of the noise from translating thru the springs and control arms? Even a 15% decrease would be noticable.

[JohnLZ7W]

I'm not sure what impact noise you're referring to but maybe try switching to 18s?

[caj1]

Trade it in for a Buick.

[ttredline]

I experience the same issue. Road condition sucks here in WA

[MoreGooderTT]

I'm not sure what impact noise you're referring to but maybe try switching to 18s?

My car came with 18's.

The noise is the Ka THUMP every time I go over an abrupt ridge in the road. Imagine an asphalt repair where someone glopped it on without steamrolling it. Now, drive your car over it. THAT is the sound.

I hear the sound pretty much equally on all four corners, so I think the car is just designed to be loud and unforgiving. I even bought the $2900 mag ride suspension because I read that, when in comfort mode, it is softer than the normal suspension. The noise is the same regardless of what mode it's in.

I think before I spend too much more time on suspension research I should spend time on tire research. The more I think about the noise the more I realize that these crap Bridgestones are largely to blaim.

[Fissues]

My TTS was the same noisy bitch before I replaced the tires with the Conti DWS. They absolutely transformed the car from rude and insane to very quiet and insane. I picked up the 19's at tirerack for 186.00 and their fine for anything this side of tracking even pushing 355hp.

[Stevelev]

I think before I spend too much more time on suspension research I should spend time on tire research. The more I think about the noise the more I realize that these crap Bridgestones are largely to blaim.

If memory serves me, I think you've already done the tire research. Get rid of the run flats and replace them with a set of the Conti DW and call it a day.

[TT412GO]

If memory serves me, I think you've already done the tire research. Get rid of the run flats and replace them with a set of the Conti DW and call it a day.

Second that. Contis do seem quiter and smoother. I tried Dynamat but it didn't help much (and was expensive to install). I think the root of the problem is that the aluminum front end used in the TT transmits more road noise than steel (but making the car more nose-heavy would be a phyrric victory).

[caj1]

If memory serves me, I think you've already done the tire research. Get rid of the run flats and replace them with a set of the Conti DW and call it a day.

The TTs do not come with run flats, at least 2011+

[MoreGooderTT]

You're correct. I have done research and had concluded that the Conti's DW's were the way to go. Unfortunately, they are no longer available. Tirerack says they are refreshing the tire to handle heavier load ratings. That translates into stiffer sidewalls. I expressed my surprise to the Tirerack rep I was chatting with. Why would they mess with a tire that is a hot seller? It makes no sense.

So.... the research kicked off again last night. I still haven't found what I want.
I'm leary of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport because of their 97 XL load rating. I need softer sidewalls to compensate for these roads. Again.... handling must be sacrificed if my ears are to be saved.

[MoreGooderTT]

Trade it in for a Buick.

I'd rather shove a stick through my head from ear to ear. That would serve as permanent earplugs so that I can't hear the noise.

[Stevelev]

The TTs do not come with run flats, at least 2011+

Really ??

[Stevelev]

.... handling must be sacrificed if my ears are to be saved.

Turn up the tunes ?

I can honestly say that I have not felt any sacrifice in the handling of my car after swapping to the 245/40/18 Contis (from OEM 255/35/19's). I typically push my car when safe to do so and in day to day driving, the tires provide lots of confidence in both wet and dry conditions. Frankly, I doubt most people would have much to complain about although perhaps mentioning the 12 lb per corner weight savings should be mentionned in my situation. I'm heading to the track in approx. 3 weeks (will probably go a couple times this year) and look forward to seeing how they fare when pushed harder. Since this is my 2nd season on them, they'll need replacement for next summer. Unless the track manners change my mind, there's a good chance I'll end up with the same tires again.

[caj1]

Really ??

Yes.. just a pump and some spray sealant.

[caj1]

Conti DWS should be fine for you. Quieter and more traction while only sacrificing a bit of handling.

[J662]

I enjoy driving my TT more than, well, just about everything. In my town, the road repair crews can't make a smooth repair if their life depended on it. Thus, my ears get pounded by the impact noise of my suspension as I go over the bumps and ridges.

The obvious way to get a quieter ride, in general, is to get quieter tires. The OEM Bridgestone Pontenza RE050A's are horrible in this regard. But beyond that, is there anything else I can do to make the car quieter over rough roads? I've already had the car sound dampened, which helped with some of the road noise.

Softer bushings? Softer spring mounts? I have no idea here..... I"m willing to traid a bit of handling for ears that aren't ringing by the time I arrive at my destination.

Buy a caddilac.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fissues]

DWS

[MoreGooderTT]

The Conti DW's are on my short list, if they ever get back into production.

Thanks for the advice folks.

[caj1]

The Conti DW's are on my short list, if they ever get back into production. 's
Thanks for the advice folks.

dws, not dw's
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS

[GaBoYnFla]

Really ??

The TTs do not come with run flats, at least 2011+

Yes.. just a pump and some spray sealant.

No, really, they don't come with run flats! I've got used to the noises and just love the cars handling....I even stiffened the car up a bit with H&R Sport Springs and Neuspeed front and rear larger sway bars....

Part of it is probably the aluminum front end....but it's all worth it to lighten it up to me! Try you stick idea and get back to us on how it works?

[Black BeauTTy]

This may sound odd, but when I switched to the HRE's, the sound of the suspension changed dramatically. Just getting some of the mass out of the corners helped a ton. Food for thought.

[Stevelev]

This may sound odd, but when I switched to the HRE's, the sound of the suspension changed dramatically. Just getting some of the mass out of the corners helped a ton. Food for thought.

Hmmm ...

... perhaps mentioning the 12 lb per corner weight savings should be mentionned in my situation ...

[MoreGooderTT]

Hmmm ...

Roger all of that. I already know that my Audi rims weigh a whopping 26 lbs, and that there's definitely room for improvement. One step at a time.

On that same note, I always check the weight of the tire I'm researching. Have you noticed how much relatively heavier Bridgestones are for the same size tire?

Michelin Pilot Super Sports are really appealing to me, on top of the Continental DW /DWS.

[Stevelev]

Yup bridgstones are fat ass tires (known for great turn in likely due to thick sidewalks). The Mich Super Sports are defiitely on my short list due to their ratings and weight.