General GM Chat When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made. Chat about all things GM (and related cars). Off-topic stuff should be in the Lounge, and all Model specific mechanical problems should be posted in the proper forum.

SE Ride Quality (And Road Noise)

Old 08-12-2006, 09:49 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
marquette97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
marquette97 is on a distinguished road
Default SE Ride Quality (And Road Noise)

How does your SE ride quality compare to other cars you've driven?

I absolutley love this car!!! but for some reason, it feels bouncy and a bit rough at times, more so than I'd expect. My old 1991 Cutlass Supreme didn't have as good of structural quality, but it handled similar, and the rough roads weren't felt as much, and I had new KYB-GR2 struts put on it last year. The struts seem to be in good shape, as there is no clunking, and they are firm when I press on them. I am thinking a tire may be out of whack, because one thing I have noticed is some bounciness, especially when braking around 40mph.

Also, I have noticed more road noise/rumbling comming from the rear of the car than I would like. Would dynamat make a noticable difference in noise levels if I were to install it under the rear seats and around the wheelwell area inside?
Old 08-13-2006, 12:41 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
 
markviiisvt4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
markviiisvt4 is on a distinguished road
Default

sounds like you might have somthing screwy with the suspension. mine started doing that after the little bracket that holds the sway bar to the frame broke.
Old 08-13-2006, 06:05 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
big_news_1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
big_news_1 is on a distinguished road
Default

You may have something screwy in your suspension, or the quality of the KYB struts might not be the same as OEM. I know other members have complained that their KYB struts can be a bit rough at times, and a few people have reported some "pogo" effect. Not sure if this is what you're feeling, since I haven't personally experienced it.
Old 08-13-2006, 10:07 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
willwren's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
willwren is on a distinguished road
Default

SE springs are supposed to be soft and bouncy. If you 'over-strut' them, you end up with an imbalanced suspension.

Your road noise is most likely your tires.
Old 08-13-2006, 11:19 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
PRD2BDF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: August 07 COTM....NEBF '06, CEBF '06 OHMM '06 ONBF '07 CEBF '07
Posts: 4,064
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PRD2BDF is on a distinguished road
Default

Odd, my car is really smooth and ABSOLUTELY silent at all speeds.

Oh right, I'm deaf, so sorry Bud can't help ya out.
Old 08-13-2006, 11:41 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Jack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jack is on a distinguished road
Default

Love the ride of mine, although it'* about time for some new struts and swaybar endlinks. The only time I get annoying road noise is when it'* time for new tires.

everyone who rides in it says it rides really nice and are surprised when I tell them she'* 7 years old.
Old 08-13-2006, 01:13 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
ga93sle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Elberton, GA
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ga93sle is on a distinguished road
Default

I'm guessing my SLE still has SE suspension. My car does ride a bit rougher than mom'* 300M or my old Eagle, BUT, it handles better than either (if their TC is turned off, as the Bonnie don't have TC). There is virtually no road noise, especially when I turn the radio up.
Old 08-13-2006, 02:50 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
marquette97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
marquette97 is on a distinguished road
Default

You may have something screwy in your suspension, or the quality of the KYB struts might not be the same as OEM. I know other members have complained that their KYB struts can be a bit rough at times, and a few people have reported some "pogo" effect. Not sure if this is what you're feeling, since I haven't personally experienced it.
The KYB struts were on my old cutlass, the Bonneville has factory struts. This Bonneville sorta rides like my friend'* 1997 Cutlass Supreme did when it was new, sort of a more European feel I guess.

There'* also this wind howl comming from the passenger side, and I put silicone on the weatherstripping, and its still doing it, so I'll have to check that out, I think much of the noise may be comming from that.
Old 08-13-2006, 02:53 PM
  #9  
BANNED
 
harofreak00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Purgatory
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
harofreak00 is on a distinguished road
Default

try pushing out the top of the window while driving.. does it get worse? if so the top of the door has been bent out, likely from someone trying to open the door without keys...

it will never be perfect, but you can bend it back in while you have the door open, trial and error
Old 08-13-2006, 03:00 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
big_news_1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
big_news_1 is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by marquette97
The KYB struts were on my old cutlass, the Bonneville has factory struts.
Sorry, I didn't read the original post very well

Anyhow, it sounds like Andrew is on the right track. See if there'* any evidence of the door being bent or tampered with.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: SE Ride Quality (And Road Noise)



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:53 AM.