Newbie wants a smoother ride

[bondjames]

This forum has been great. My Vibe was nice stock, but this forum is really making an awesome little car with all the simple mods, but so far I've done only cosmetic stuff.What can I do to make the vibe ride a lot smoother? I know it'll never be a Lexus but I'm tired of feeling every pebble on the road. I don't know the first thing about handling and suspension - where should I start? Is the key shocks or struts? Does lowering the car help?

[keithvibe]

smoother how... as in more like a caddy ride?or smoother as in sharper turn in and better handleling around curves?if the first question is what your looking for your not going to get better than whats already there if the second question is what your looking for yes lowering springs will help but you pay the price for a bit rougher ride.

[bondjames]

well, the ride is not bouncy right now, but I can feel the road a lot. The first thing I did is get rid of the worn out low profiles tires I had this past winter. I put on some 16" Goodyear Viva Touring tires, which had much better traction in the snow but also, by accident, gave a much less rough ride down the highway. I drive on the highway a lot.So I guess my question is should I put on new shocks, new springs, lower the car, or some combination, and has anybody had any of these things deliver a softer ride?

[NibCrom]

I don't see how lowering the car would provide a smoother ride. Are you looking for comfort? I don't think there is any evidence suggesting lowering the car provides a smoother ride. Doesn't less travel in your suspsension = a rougher ride?Softer springs may help, but I think part of the problem with the Vibes ride is that it has a relatively small wheelbase, so you're gonna feel the bumps.

[bondjames]

thanks for the quick replies. yeah, I'm looking for more comfort - sorry I can't better put it into words.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by bondjames » deliver a softer ride?softer ride is what your afteryou can go to a 15" corolla rim and tire packageyou could get a custom air bag set upyou could get a better seat custom made with better cushingIts about what you want to spendyou won't get much better there is a guy selling his caddy here ... buy that you will have a softer ride HAHAHA

[bondjames]

so a smaller rim and tire would = a softer ride? how does that work?

[keithvibe]

the side wall would be taller giving you a softer ride there will be more flex in the side wall with a taller tire. but your handling will change as well because the width of the tire would be smaller as well.

[DarkSpork]

The only thing I can think of that you can do would be change the tires, which you have already done.

[kevera]

You can always try Monroe struts,they have always been known to give a bubbly,soft ride.Don't lower it as it will feel much harsher.Stick with stock replacement parts.And yes tires do help,higher sidewalls.

[vibolista]

Check your tire pressure. Might be set too high. If theyare, then bring them down to recommended pressure. Just don't drop them below that. If they get too soft,you would certainly get that softer ride, but you wouldalso start to use more fuel. Other side effects of underinflation that you want to avoid... extra shoulder wear,poor turn in performance and other dangerous problemsthat could lead to tire failure. You mention that you got rid of your low profile tires. That's a move in the right direction if you are looking forcomfort. Your Goodyears probably have soft sidewalls. Might want to check around, there are other manufacturersthat produce soft sidewall tires with cushy tread surfacesto specifically provide a more comfortable 'luxury' ride. One of the guys on this forum mounted a 225/60 16 tireon his vibe. Fairly tall tire and still fits a 16" wheel. Don'tknow it delivered the type of ride you are looking for, though. Go check that tire pressure and let us know what it wasset to.

[ClunkClunk]

I'll trade you my Buick. It has a pretty cush ride.It's not Oldsmobile soft, but it's about equivalent to a late 90's Caddy in terms of ride quality.

[ramenboy...]

i'll have to say SLORegal's suggestion is your best bet but in terms of the vibe, like everyone said, lowering the car will only make the ride tighter... going to a smaller 15" wheel w/same diameter tires will give the car more air to ride on. not sure what the look will be though...welcome to the family

[bondjames]

Tire pressure is set at 35psi. Thanks for your replies, everyone.

[Lysander]

Old dampers (struts and shocks) can cause a 'rough' ride over abrupt pavement, like expansion joints and pot holes.

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by bondjames »thanks for the quick replies. yeah, I'm looking for more comfort - sorry I can't better put it into words.That's pretty easy, you can just go to higher profile tires. You'll have to get new, smaller rims. You will lose some handling and it will affect the way the car steers and corners. and it wiill lower the speed rating of the car, which is okay if you don't drive too fast. It also may affect your braking either positively or negatively. It will almost certainly affect your mileage as well.

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by bondjames »so a smaller rim and tire would = a softer ride? how does that work?You would put on a smaller rim with a larger tire so the overall "wheel" is the same size. The higher the sidewall, the softer the ride.

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by DarkSpork »The only thing I can think of that you can do would be change the tires, which you have already done.It was suggested that he try smaller rims and higher sidwewalls.