# Suspension and Brake Upgrades for 2011 E2? **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [June 1, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349 "2022-06-01T23:41:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GreenLantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@GreenLantern](https://community.electricforum.com/u/GreenLantern)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/1 "2022-06-01T23:41:52Z")
My Gem has disk brakes in front, drum in rear. They are factory stock. My cart now goes an honest 40mph, sometimes a little faster. Obviously the brakes work, but was wondering if I should address upgrading the brakes? What are my options? My suspension works, but I wish it was a bit stiffer. Seams like it is too spongey and feels way too soft when turning. What are my options for upgrading my suspension? Thank you, Green Lantern ---
**Author:** ![MikeKC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MikeKC](https://community.electricforum.com/u/MikeKC)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/2 "2022-06-01T23:43:42Z")
oh, the treads about shocks and suspension are 100’s deep here on the forum. A lot of great information - do a search and start reading up !!! 😄 ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 12:17am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/3 "2022-06-02T00:17:26Z")
Cut a hole in the floorboards. Wear steel shank boots. Yabba dabba doo. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 1:21am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/4 "2022-06-02T01:21:08Z")
> [@GreenLantern](#): > > My suspension works, but I wish it was a bit stiffer. Seams like it is too spongey and feels way too soft when turning. Not too many people say that about their Gem cars. Especially when running 17’s and low profile tires. Are you running stock shocks or are they some sort of aftermarket replacement? (pics please) Some of the aftermarket shocks have rotating adjusters on the bottom end so you can increase the preload on the springs. ---
**Author:** ![LithiumGods](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/lithiumgods/32/672_2.png) [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 3:04am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/5 "2022-06-02T03:04:51Z")
Just add regen to your controller, let the Gem slow you down and put that energy back in the battery. ---
**Author:** ![LithiumGods](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/lithiumgods/32/672_2.png) [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/6 "2022-06-02T03:06:03Z")
40+ mph in a 2011 with a 12.44 gear ratio? That poor motor. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 3:41am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/7 "2022-06-02T03:41:49Z")
7800!!! Yikes!!! That R4F is tough, but may not last long. Hopefully that gearbox was switched out for a 10.35. Hey - GL. We need to check your gear ratio. Does your gearbox still have a barcode sticker on the top driver side? We need that number. ---
**Author:** ![GreenLantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@GreenLantern](https://community.electricforum.com/u/GreenLantern)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/8 "2022-06-02T15:36:27Z")
I looked for the numbers when asked months ago. It is not there. It’s possible that I already have it re-geared. My only basis for this conclusion is when I raced the modified golf cart last Saturday night. It was much quicker than mine off the line. But once we got beyond approx 20 mph, I easily reeled him in and passed him. Also, I have not looked at shocks, but you can see a pic of the rear shocks if you look at Gabriel’s pic in “Another Lithium Conversion” thread. I did a bunch of research last night on this forum looking at suspension threads. It seemed to me that most of the threads were for earlier model Gems. Just saying I was hoping to just post the suspension question and have somebody give the 411 to buy a specific product. Problem solved. I can see it’s not going to be that easy. Lol ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/9 "2022-06-02T15:49:15Z")
> [@GreenLantern](#): > > I was hoping to just post the suspension question and have somebody give the 411 to buy a specific product. Problem solved. I can see it’s not going to be that easy. Lol The NEVA shocks I bought years ago for my 02 were very stiff. Almost pogo-sticks. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/suspension-and-brake-upgrades-for-2011-e2/24349/10 "2022-06-02T16:20:38Z")
Looking at your pics in that other thread shows some stock looking shock/springs in the back of your car. I find it extremely odd that you removed ~330 lbs (switching to Lit) and you still feel like the suspension is mushy. Perhaps something else is going on. Take a good look at your suspension and trailing arms. 2011 is not one of the designs that are subject to cracking but perhaps you have some rubber bushings falling apart. If you jack up the back of the car at the frame, how far does it go up before it lifts the wheels off the ground? (trying to judge suspension sag). ## Trans ratio If you want to see what you really have in your gearbox (and cannot find the sticker) Then you just need to count. Pop off the speed sensor and draw a line(with a sharpie) on the end of your motor from the center dimple straight up like a hand on a clock. Then put a piece of blue tape on your tire at the bottom where it points to the ground. Slowly roll the car forward(or backward) and observe how many times the motor spins around as you roll the tire exactly one full revolution of the tire. It will probably spin almost 12 1/2 (12.44) or 10 1/3 (10.35).