tyncobb

Have a 1994 LS 400 with 170,000 miles and the ride feels very rough compared to when I bought it at !15,000 miles. When riding over small bumps in the road and going slow or even travelng at around 65mph over small circular hwy line divider reflectors, I feel every bump. Sometimes when I turn both left and right I hear what sounds like the tire rubbing (low decible kind of growl for just about 5 seconds) in front and back of car.The car lacks that smoot quiet ride that I had when I first purchased it used :-(

I have pushed down on the front and back of car to see if it bounces and there is virtually no bouncing so I don't know if it is the shocks/struts. Is there a way for me to tell or test if the Springs are bad and need to be replaced....and if I have Springs replaced would I need to replace the shocks.

Thanks for any suggestions or help.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

to test the springs you woud have to have the car on a flat even surface with a full tank of gas and remove all extra weight ( like all the stuff in the trunk excepy the spare and jacking equipment) and measure from the ground to some point on the car,your owners manual should tell you where that point is,and copare thi measurement to the specs. also make sure that your tire pressure is correct.if you change the springs i recommend that you also do the shocks if money permits but it is not absolutely necessary. it sounds like your hocks are ok sincethe bounce test was negative

tyncobb

I Will check this measurement. BUT, can you tell me...if the Springs are Bad would that give me the Bad Ride even if the struts/shocks are good. Wouldn't the Shocks still work (give me a good ride) even if the Springs are bad???? Tbanks for your reply.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

if the springs were bad after you ride over bumps or dips in the road your car would keep bouncing when they are working properly when you go over a bump they would extend and then stiffen on then way down so they wouldnt extend again to stabilize the car. when your springs start to lose tension the car will start to get lower b/c the springs cant hod the weight of the vehicle, this can cause he tires to rub against the wheel wells if its bad enough