How can I get my GTA to drive smoother on the road and freeway?

 

You might start with new struts/shocks as well as springs and tires.

JamesC

 

Check to make sure your wheels are round (and your tires too). One bad cord on a tire could make your ride hellish not to mention what a bad rim does.

Ask me how I know.

No... don't.

Another thing you can do: Air bags.

'Nuff said.

 

What kind of smooth are you talking about? Does the car have a vibration or is the ride just harsh?

 

You'd be surprised at how much vibration you can get at highway speeds with improperly balanced tires.

 

I'd check the balancing of the wheels/tires first. Then, I'd get some decent shocks if you don't plan to mod the suspension.

 

Well I dont really want to mod it just make it run smooth. Are the Monroe sensatrac good?

 

monroe are bottom barrel replacements. at least go with some KYB GR-2.

GR-2 shocks/struts will run you about 100 total for all four corners.

 

Is there a way i could convert the struts in the front shocks? on my 1986 chevy berlinetta camaro???? B/c struts are a pain in the *** to change out.

 

A brake line and three bolts per side (one at the top of the piston in the strut mount, two on the steering knuckle, which can be reached by simply turning the steering wheel to full lock). If you have air tools, it's snap. A search will provide more specific info.

JamesC

 

What the hell? Converting from struts to shocks is going to be easier than just changing the struts which is a job that takes about an hour or two with power tools? That's like rebuilding a head on a car just because the frikking vavle cover gasket has a small leak.
Struts on these cars is not a pain in the butt. Go do a strut/adjustable coilover conversion on an Acura Integra and then think these cars are a pain in the butt....lol. Trust me, these cars are a very easy car to work on compared to most.

 

LOL! i jus did a coilover conversion on a 91 intergra like a week ago! that was A LOT easier than doin a strut replacement on a taurus!

 

welcome to having stiff suspension and 50 series tires .... easiest way would be shocks and struts ... Even my 82 with soft suspension and 60 series tires can be harsh probably nothing like yours but still isn't a family car.

 

If the suspension is stock, it's not stiff. In fact, it's probably mushy compared to what it was new. It's just stiffer than most other worn out suspensions or big ole land yaught. My suspension is stiff. I've got KONIs, Eibach Pro-Kit, large sway bars and 40 series tires on 17s.

And we still don't know if by 'smoother' he means the car has a vibration or 'thump' caused by an unbalanced tire or worn out bushing or if he just prefers the feeling of floating all over the road at highway speeds to a firmer ride.

 

What other brands are good for a smooth ride?

 

want a smooth ride get rid of the third gen and buy a caddy! thats my opinion! why do people buy sports cars or sportier cars and then complain it rides ruff....or harsh.... its not comfortable....no crap you have a sports car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not a caddy or lincoln town car..lol.. sorry for the rant, i just hear that to much and it bugs the crap out of me. now harsh is what i have....eibach sportlines...not the stiffest rate springs...but i have koni yellows, hotchkis swaybars front and rear, tubular a arms with polly bushings. polly engine and trans mounts, tubular torque arm with spherical rod ends, lca's are spherical rod ends both ends and so is the panhard bar. along with 275/40/17 and 245/45/17 tires. to me it is not a bad ride but passengers complain about vibrations and how ruff it is. its no caddy but it handles like a new vette!

 

In all seriousness, I'm trying to help here, but you're being somewhat vauge.

What's wrong with the ride now?
Is it just too stiff or your taste?
Do you have vibrations like an unbalanced tire?
Does it feel like something (bushing, ball joint, ets) is worn out?
Does it feel like a shock or strut is stuck?
We need some kind of input to correctly diagnose the problem other than 'I want a smoother ride'.

 

ok but in all seriousness... shouldn't it be smooth on the freeway anyways? unless the tires are worn or broken cord... or driveshaft vibration? i jus think it should be a smooth ride on the freeway for EVERYONE

 

LOL, Well when Im on the freeway you could feel all the bumps and bounces a lot. The bumps hit pretty hard to when I have passengers.

 

Well, a set of shocks will help with the bouncing. As for feeling all the bumps, you're pretty much stuck with that. Replacing the bushings on the car will help some. If you were local, I'd take you for a spin in my car and see what you though. haha.

 

Okay didn't want people to get upset. I was just asking. I dont' need none on the car for now they got changed i just like the shocks better. Just thought there was a conversion kit i could use. I like the feeling of shocks. i have air shocks in the rear and it rides sweet. Thanks for the opinion guys.

 

I just prefer shocks. my struts on the car are new just expensive thats all. I would like to have shocks but o well can't be choosey and with the ride idk about u all but i love it stiff. Rides like a go cart come one can't complain to have a toy car. I finally got my first camaro :P and i love it has some kinks and problems but its my first toy my wife actually let me buy. Just didn't know if there was conversion kits. I like to just have info and if its better or not.

 

As far as I know, there's not much of a difference in shocks and struts. I think it's all in how they mount. But to do a conversion, you'd have to alter how the front suspension mounts, and that would be a PITA with little gains.
You wanna ride in a car that feels like a go-cart, I'll let you drive mine down the highway if your ever in town. On stiff, I've had it called a sled. It's actually painfull on some bumps.

 

Ok so Im going to get the shocks, struts KYB, front brakes and an alignment for $750. What do you guys think, Is it a good price?

 

How much are the shocks/struts? That seems a little stiff.

 

That seems A LOT stiff! Here in Vegas I wanted to do the same thing on a Grand Prix, and the shop quoted me just over $1000 to replace all 4 struts with KYB's. I did the work myself for a little over $300 for the price of the struts and and afternoon.

If you have a stock suspension setup now, I'd say the KYB's should be a good investment for you.

If you have a lowered car, please buy something else. The KYB's don't last long with lowering springs. They didn't last 10k miles on my IROC. I'd suggest buying some Koni's or Bilsteins.

 

Yea I have stock suspension on it, Well how hard is it to put them on? Do I need a special tool to put them on?

 

Not really hard. Just need a good set of tools, jacks, jackstands and basic automotive knowledge.

 

ok for the most part there is a strut presser (don't know the exact name excuse for the dummy term) which you use to put the struts on. Never done it myself but seen some jobs done. I lol prefer shocks two bolts the shock is off and two bolts back in with new shocks. :P
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Really no tool??? or is that with some struts????? I thought you had to press the struts to install?
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If i am wrong on this then i have been mislead by parts stores. rotting bas***s oh well.

 

Not on thirdgens. Go speak with Tim Love (Love's Auto) or Lonnie Vetteto (Reliable Auto) if you need more info or pricing. Basic handtools will get the job done, though as I've previously mentioned, air tools are very helpful.

JamesC

 

I never used a strut compressor. I just un-bolted the spindle from the strut and then lowered the a-arm (making sure to keep the spring in the a-arm) and then unbolted the strut from the top. Then it kinda falls out, might wanna have somone to play catch.
Shocks are even easier, just remember to unbolt them in the back (inside the car) before you jack it up. Then jack it up from the hogs head, rear end, differential, whatever you call it. Get jack stands under the rear sub-frame (where the control arms mount) and lower the rear till the shocks come out the top mount, then un-bolt the bottom mount on the axle.

 

Yea, I think Ima give it a shot next week. Thanks guys I'll let you know how it all turns out.

 

I don't think Tim love lol wants to see me for a while. B/c i went in there and he seems grumpy. So i been buying in salina.

 

and yea air tools are really good to have . i did that to my truck last winter with my friend it was really fast. for shocks.

 

hey sorry to hijack... but is lucky up in salina? i heard he moved from mulvane up there... but ya... struts/springs/tires/shocks! all will help that ride

 

I have no clue.... Who lucky is sorry.

 

here he ran "lucky's speed shop" i was jus wonderin if he had one up there in salina...

 

Ah i only been here in town for about a year so anything after that i have no clue.