How can I improve my Ride?

james11 · 01-27-2008, 09:37 AM

Hi All,

A quick question about suspension. How can I improve the ride of my vehicle (05 Malibu w/ 70,000 miles on it). Will new shocks make a noticible difference? Struts? It just seems like my Malibu "feels" every little bump in the road anymore and I am looking for that Luxury ride again.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

James

darndot · 01-27-2008, 10:57 AM

Tires will make a big difference. A good set of high quality tire will help. Tell the tire dealer you are looking for ride quality.

big swede · 01-27-2008, 11:29 AM

Tires would be a good start but you probably won't due that until your current ones are shot. You could add a strut tower brace extremely cheap. I know on the W-bodies you can add on to the front and rear. I added one to the front of my last W-body and it made a noticeable difference. The suspension is where you will get your biggest difference but you will have to do some research into what's available.

Maybe go to the local Chevy dealer and ask him if the Malibu SS of that generation has a different part # number for the suspension than your car does. You could also go to the help area of this website because there are a couple of guys who work in the parts department of a Chevy dealer and they are always very helpfull.

**BigAls87Z28** · 01-27-2008, 01:38 PM

MAP guidelines suggest replacement of shocks and struts at 50k. A new set of struts will help soften the ride. A new set of tires will help quiet road noise when driving.

LAMRONH · 01-28-2008, 01:02 PM

Try 70 series tyres and put 300 LBS in the trunk.

darndot · 01-28-2008, 01:13 PM

What is your mileage on the tires? What brand are they?

ChevroletTough · 01-28-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

MAP guidelines suggest replacement of shocks and struts at 50k. A new set of struts will help soften the ride. A new set of tires will help quiet road noise when driving.

all you wanted and more

james11 · 01-28-2008, 10:37 PM

Tires are brand new Michelin. The dealer put new struts in the front about six months ago under warranty. But the ride is still bumpy or, more to the point, I can feel all the bumps more now than ever.

Thanks for all your kind responses.

LAMRONH · 01-29-2008, 12:21 AM

What type Michelin? MXV4 or something stouter?

james11 · 01-29-2008, 07:33 AM

Yes. MXV4. They were purchased @ Costco for $425 out the door. You know, come to think of it, the ride has been a little firmer since I got them.

ChevroletTough · 01-29-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james11

Yes. MXV4. They were purchased @ Costco for $425 out the door. You know, come to think of it, the ride has been a little firmer since I got them.

I like goodyear tires, just a preferance to me.
cooper also makes a very good car and truck tire!

LAMRONH · 01-30-2008, 12:51 AM

Nothing personal, but IMO MXV4s are pretty unremarkable except that they're overpriced and mediocre performing.

Perhaps another set of tyres is in order. Maybe you can sell the Michs on ebay.
I like the looks of the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread (check www.tirerack.com for tire survey results, etc. if you haven't already), even though I believe GY and Michelin are generally overpriced and underperforming for the cost. (Or as the unparalleled genius Robert S. McNamara was wont to say, they are not cost-effective.)
I recently ordered a set of Dunlop SP 60s in a 65 profile (vs. 60 which is stock; I went with a 215.65.16 vs. 225.60.16 for >snow and wet weather performance) because they rank with some of the best but their price is very competitive.

Otherwise perhaps there's a bushing problem somewhere, either shot or even missing. There should be no reason a Malibu feels hard riding unless you are ultra sensitive to bumps.

BRMike · 01-30-2008, 12:21 PM

Was there a noticeable difference between the factory struts and the struts that are currently on the car?

darndot · 01-30-2008, 06:49 PM

Couldn't hurt to have it aligned and have them checked for worn parts. I have seen cheap tires make a car really rough, but I would think Michs should be a good tire.

LAMRONH · 01-30-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darndot

Couldn't hurt to have it aligned and have them checked for worn parts. I have seen cheap tires make a car really rough, but I would think Michs should be a good tire.

What tyre pressure is youse running?

01-27-2008, 09:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
james11 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 34	How can I improve my Ride? Hi All, A quick question about suspension. How can I improve the ride of my vehicle (05 Malibu w/ 70,000 miles on it). Will new shocks make a noticible difference? Struts? It just seems like my Malibu "feels" every little bump in the road anymore and I am looking for that Luxury ride again. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. James

01-27-2008, 10:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
darndot 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Drives: Silvy, 57-Pickup, Corvair-Vert. Posts: 2,956	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Tires will make a big difference. A good set of high quality tire will help. Tell the tire dealer you are looking for ride quality. __________________ All GM since 1985. Owner of a 92 Long Roof Caprice.

01-27-2008, 11:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
big swede 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Midwest Drives: 07' Monte Carlo SS Posts: 4,128	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Tires would be a good start but you probably won't due that until your current ones are shot. You could add a strut tower brace extremely cheap. I know on the W-bodies you can add on to the front and rear. I added one to the front of my last W-body and it made a noticeable difference. The suspension is where you will get your biggest difference but you will have to do some research into what's available. Maybe go to the local Chevy dealer and ask him if the Malibu SS of that generation has a different part # number for the suspension than your car does. You could also go to the help area of this website because there are a couple of guys who work in the parts department of a Chevy dealer and they are always very helpfull. __________________ 07' SS Monte

01-27-2008, 01:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigAls87Z28 GMI Mod/Camaro Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,543	Re: How can I improve my Ride? MAP guidelines suggest replacement of shocks and struts at 50k. A new set of struts will help soften the ride. A new set of tires will help quiet road noise when driving. __________________ Any Inside Info? Questions or Coments? Ideas? Email me at BigAl@GMInsidenews.com 1993 Caprice 9C1 1987 Camaro Z28 1972 Camaro RS

01-28-2008, 01:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
LAMRONH 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Caveville, Neanderthallande Drives: 2007 black KIA Spectra EX. Have club, will travel. Posts: 8,947	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Try 70 series tyres and put 300 LBS in the trunk. __________________ The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), 55 BC

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01-28-2008, 01:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
darndot 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Drives: Silvy, 57-Pickup, Corvair-Vert. Posts: 2,956	Re: How can I improve my Ride? What is your mileage on the tires? What brand are they? __________________ All GM since 1985. Owner of a 92 Long Roof Caprice.

01-28-2008, 10:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
james11 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 34	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Tires are brand new Michelin. The dealer put new struts in the front about six months ago under warranty. But the ride is still bumpy or, more to the point, I can feel all the bumps more now than ever. Thanks for all your kind responses.

01-29-2008, 12:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
LAMRONH 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Caveville, Neanderthallande Drives: 2007 black KIA Spectra EX. Have club, will travel. Posts: 8,947	Re: How can I improve my Ride? What type Michelin? MXV4 or something stouter? __________________ The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), 55 BC

01-29-2008, 07:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
james11 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 34	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Yes. MXV4. They were purchased @ Costco for $425 out the door. You know, come to think of it, the ride has been a little firmer since I got them.

01-30-2008, 12:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
LAMRONH 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Caveville, Neanderthallande Drives: 2007 black KIA Spectra EX. Have club, will travel. Posts: 8,947	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Nothing personal, but IMO MXV4s are pretty unremarkable except that they're overpriced and mediocre performing. Perhaps another set of tyres is in order. Maybe you can sell the Michs on ebay. I like the looks of the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread (check www.tirerack.com for tire survey results, etc. if you haven't already), even though I believe GY and Michelin are generally overpriced and underperforming for the cost. (Or as the unparalleled genius Robert S. McNamara was wont to say, they are not cost-effective.) I recently ordered a set of Dunlop SP 60s in a 65 profile (vs. 60 which is stock; I went with a 215.65.16 vs. 225.60.16 for >snow and wet weather performance) because they rank with some of the best but their price is very competitive. Otherwise perhaps there's a bushing problem somewhere, either shot or even missing. There should be no reason a Malibu feels hard riding unless you are ultra sensitive to bumps. __________________ The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), 55 BC Last edited by LAMRONH : 01-30-2008 at 12:53 AM.

01-30-2008, 12:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
BRMike 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, La. Posts: 513	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Was there a noticeable difference between the factory struts and the struts that are currently on the car? __________________ 2004 Impulse Blue Metallic Pontiac GTO (6M) - Not Stock 2007 Blue-Gold Crystal Metallic Pontiac G6 GTP Sedan 2003 Dark Green Metallic Chevrolet S10 LS (4.3-liter V6, 4A)

01-30-2008, 06:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
darndot 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Drives: Silvy, 57-Pickup, Corvair-Vert. Posts: 2,956	Re: How can I improve my Ride? Couldn't hurt to have it aligned and have them checked for worn parts. I have seen cheap tires make a car really rough, but I would think Michs should be a good tire. __________________ All GM since 1985. Owner of a 92 Long Roof Caprice.

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