Upgrading the Solaris suspension at home is of interest to many car owners. How to do it yourself, what tools are needed for this and what spare parts to use will be discussed in detail in this material.
Almost every owner of a Hyundai Solaris, after using the car for some time, asks the question: how to upgrade the suspension? This is not difficult to do, but it is important to approach the task responsibly and competently. Problems with the Hyundai Solaris chassis usually arise when driving over uneven surfaces, of which there are a lot in our country. Changes in the suspension can be different and they usually depend on the capabilities and requirements of the owner for his own car.
Existing problems
On all forums dedicated to Hyundai Solaris, car owners discuss design flaws in the rear suspension. The automaker assures that after
Hyundai Solaris suspension
In recent models, the wishes of motorists have been taken into account and everything has been corrected, however, models of early years of production require certain changes. Owners make especially many complaints about the yaw of the car when driving at speeds over 80 km/h. Experts determined that this was due to an unsuccessful mounting design for the rear shock absorbers.
We all realize that a car that is ideal in every sense does not exist, but everyone wants to have a car with a minimum number of shortcomings. After a certain operating period, the wheel bearings may become weak, and the steering rack may also begin to hum. Subsequently, the steering wheel will begin to beat, and the tips will wear out faster. To avoid the problem, certain elements need to be modified.
Finally
We will not dwell on the issue that only high-quality spare parts should be used. In some cases, especially on cars with high mileage, the quality of the parts used alone increases the controllability, stability and other characteristics of the car. Fans of traveling at high speeds install a stabilizer bar on the rear axle, which, after minor modifications, is used from domestic cars with front-wheel drive VAZ 2108.
As can be seen from our story, there are opportunities for improving this car model. We tried to tell everyone how the Hyundai Solaris suspension is modernized. Assess your technical and financial capabilities for such work and only then get to work.
More on the topic: Diagnostics of the Hyundai Solaris chassis
How do deficiencies manifest themselves?
Modified springs
Many owners of Korean cars are starting to modernize the suspension of the Hyundai Solaris in order to increase stability at high speeds. Especially a lot of complaints are caused by the yaw of the rear axle, pulling to the sides in a side wind or when driving towards heavy vehicles. All this is a consequence of a design flaw that can be corrected with your own hands. The problem is related to an incorrectly selected installation angle of the rear shock absorber struts.
What can be done?
In most cases, many begin to improve the stability of this car when driving at high speeds. As noted earlier, the most complaints are caused by the yaw of the rear of the car, pulling to the side when there are side gusts of wind or heavy vehicles passing by.
They are installed on the car at a certain angle, which leads to a steady increase in loads and inertial forces. Installing shock absorbers in a strictly vertical position leads to a decrease in suspension travel, but this will also lead to a decrease in loads and inertial moments. These are the kind of modifications that are carried out in most cases by the owners of these cars. Let's try to figure out this change together.
When moving the shock absorber mount, a new mount for this unit is made. It is made in such a way that there are four points for attaching the lower point for it. This allows you to select the most optimal type of suspension geometry for the owner. It was noticed that in this situation, suspension breakdowns became more frequent, which can be eliminated by installing other springs.
At first, thick rubber inserts were inserted between the coils of standard springs, but this turned out to be an ineffective solution. After numerous experiments with springs from different car models, the best results were obtained with springs from a VAZ 2108 or 2110. They are shortened slightly by cutting off approximately 2.7 parts of the coil and bending the outer part of the cut coil.
This modification shows very good results, just don’t forget to install the lower bumpers for the springs, they will also be the center for the new springs. Installing coil springs instead of barrel-shaped standard products significantly improves suspension characteristics. Depending on the desired vehicle clearance, the spring can be trimmed a little more or less.
Changes to the rear suspension immediately highlight weaknesses in the front end of the car. The front struts are treated in the same way. They are removed from the car and disassembled. Instead of factory springs, new ones are installed, which are again used from the “six”, cut into 2.9 parts of the coil. You should also take rubber gaskets for the springs from this model.
More on the topic: How to choose wheels for Hyundai Solaris
How to modify the Hyundai Solaris suspension?
It is necessary to move the shock absorber mounts by making new fasteners for the assembly. They are made so as to obtain four points for attaching the lower point of the shock absorber. This will allow you to select the optimal suspension geometry for specific operating conditions. Note that such a modernization of the Hyundai Solaris suspension increases the chances of breaking through the suspension. This can be eliminated by installing other springs.
Changing the stance angle
Initially, to avoid breakdown, car owners made inserts from dense rubber, inserting them between the coils of standard springs, but this solution was not very effective. After experimenting with springs of different brands from other cars, optimal results were achieved using springs from VAZ 2108 and 2110. They should be slightly shortened by cutting off approximately 2.7 parts of the coil and bending the outer part of the cut coil.
This upgrade produces good results, but it is important to install lower spring bumpers to act as a center for the springs. installation of standard barrel-shaped coil springs for Hyundai Solaris significantly improves the technical characteristics of the chassis. Depending on the required ground clearance, you can trim the springs a little more or less.
Reworking the rear suspension immediately helps to identify weaknesses in the front axle of the car. They do the same with the front struts: they are removed from the car and disassembled, and instead of the standard ones, new ones are installed, which should also be taken from the VAZ 2106, cutting them into 2.9 parts of a turn. From this model you should also take rubber gaskets for the springs.
Design improvements
But it’s good that Hyundai’s management treats its work reasonably and rationally: the company many years ago established feedback with consumers in order to know all its shortcomings and fair criticism from customers, in order to correct shortcomings in the future and not fall under an avalanche of popular indignation.
Thus, having received complete information about the preferences of drivers, the Koreans are launching the next generation of the model in 2014, in which the main emphasis was placed on the Hyundai suspension. The concern announced the work done a year before the official release of the updated version. All major auto publications spread this news, so it was difficult to find a motorist who had not heard about the upcoming premiere. Hyundai fans waited with bated breath to see what would happen this time.
To their great joy, the company did not destroy any illusions or dispel good ideas. The car turned out to be even more colorful than before, but most importantly, it really became more practical and durable. The front and rear suspensions of the Hyundai were changed, new engines appeared that developed dizzying speeds, and the car became more functional.
Now the Hyundai front suspension is a unique MacPherson strut design, it ensures reliability, driving safety, good stability, road grip, and handling. The rear suspension is represented by a semi-independent spring, it is responsible for the softness and smoothness of the ride: on a good road and at an impressive speed, it seems that the car is simply taking off, it moves so easily and naturally.
To give Solaris dynamics, engineers paid special attention to shock absorbers; in the new version they turned out to be more energy-intensive than in previous generations, and were developed with the active participation of the Mando company. Shock absorbers and springs received parameters of greater rigidity, which had a positive effect on the car’s ability to move on bad roads.
If earlier it began to desperately rattle at every bump, now it drives quietly and smoothly. Road irregularities that do not fall into the extreme category now go completely unnoticed by the Solaris driver. Just a few years ago this could only be a dream. The rocking motion has also become smoother, so you won’t get motion sickness in a car; this is especially important for people with increased sensitivity and not the best vestibular apparatus. Photos of suspension parts can easily be found on the Internet.
Both the front and rear suspension have new features. If we compare it with the previous development, we can confidently say that the Koreans have presented to our attention a good design that is effective in many cases. But this is if we talk about normal roads, while off-roading still remains an inaccessible zone for Solaris. However, this is not a problem, it’s just that in this case the suspension will need to be upgraded.
Let's sum it up
We didn't say that only high quality replacement parts should be used, because that's obvious. Sometimes, especially on older cars with high mileage, the quality of the parts used improves handling and stability. Fans of driving at high speeds install an anti-roll bar on the rear axle, which, after certain modifications, can be taken from the domestic front-wheel drive VAZ 2108.
As is clear from our story, there are a lot of opportunities for upgrading the Hyundai Solaris suspension. We have described the basic methods for remaking the chassis of this Korean passenger car, and all you have to do is assess your financial capabilities and technical requirements, and begin work.
Source
"Hyundai-Solaris", from 445,000 rubles, CAR from 4.21 rubles/km
But now, even in the most affordable versions, the hood is supplemented with sound insulation, and the trunk lid of the sedan has received interior trim. In addition, if previously in the basic version the back of the sofa could only be folded entirely, now it can be folded in parts on any sedan. Finally, a photochromic mirror and a rear view camera have settled in the top-end configuration. But the main thing is that all these improvements did not affect prices. The optimal “Solaris” version with the self-explanatory name “Optima”, a 1.4-liter engine and a radio tape recorder costs 485,500 rubles.
It turns out that combining incompatible things while remaining within a modest budget is still possible. True, it’s still not possible to please everyone, as usual.
"Hyundai-Solaris", from 445,000 rubles, CAR from 4.21 rubles/km
Has Solaris become tougher? Perhaps. Not enough, however, to shake out the soul. I would be happy with just such chassis settings. Although my fellow traveler doesn’t seem to be very happy: at the next speed bump the car shook noticeably, and my colleague, snoring peacefully in the passenger seat, looked reproachfully in my direction. Still, it is a thankless task to try to please a sophisticated public.
Other features of Solaris remained with him: there are few of them, as before, but they still exist. The sound insulation of the arches leaves much to be desired, and you will have to put up with the low ceiling above the sofa. The 1.4-liter engine does not come with side and window airbags, and convenient central locking with remote control becomes available at least in the expensive “Comfort” version.
Hyundai Solaris interior tuning: Carpet reupholstery
To reupholster the interior with Carpet you will not need Moment glue. It literally heats up under the hot rays of the sun, releasing toxins. Buy a special aerosol: it is environmentally friendly, and it sets within 30 seconds, without interfering with the stretching of the material. If you are ready to do the work yourself, then do it in this order:
- dismantling plastic parts: threshold, seat belt cover, door handles, sidewalls;
- ceiling, dashboard;
- carrying out tuning with the remaining small parts.
Well-carried out work will eliminate the creaking of plastic in the cabin, increase heat transfer, and retain heat in the cabin for a long time when the temperature outside drops below zero. If you use Carpet to drag the podiums under the speakers and shelves, you will not only improve the sound, but also reduce the bass crackle.
Video to help an inexperienced driver:
