RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009) Discussion topics related to the 2004 -2009 RX330, RX350 and RX400H models

2008 RX 350 bouncing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-03-08, 12:34 PM
  #1  
Benny49
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Benny49's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unhappy 2008 RX 350 bouncing

We purchased a used 2008 RX 350 with 26,000 miles on it. We had previously owned a 2002 RX300. The salesman told us the ride was "softer" on the 350. However, we find ourselves bouncing down the road and the ride is not nice. Anyone else have this trouble? Would new/different tires possibly help? We've had the dealer check the shocks & they say all is fine. HELP!
Old 11-03-08, 12:52 PM
  #2  
farquad
Lexus Test Driver
 
farquad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Ca
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

so it's not the springs/struts?
there's a difference between soft suspension and bouncing as you describe it..
Old 11-03-08, 01:18 PM
  #3  
RXSF
Moderator
 
RXSF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,045
Likes: 0
Received 69 Likes on 42 Posts
Default

yes, many people feel that the RX has a bouncy ride...especially if your sitting in the back.
Old 11-03-08, 01:49 PM
  #4  
mandyfig
Moderator
 
mandyfig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: GA
Posts: 12,298
Received 408 Likes on 359 Posts
Default

Bouncy is not really a good description...try to describe better, so we can put our 2 cents in...

34 psi on the tires will make it a hard ride. Less psi, softer ride.

It is a 2008, I do not think struts, shocks will go bad, yet. Except that this is a pre-owned car right? Who knows what they did with it...

But still does not make sense....try to describe the difference between your 300 versus 350....
Old 11-03-08, 02:47 PM
  #5  
triplecore
Lead Lap
 
triplecore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Does it ride like school bus Bouncy? Or like Sports car bouncy?
Old 11-04-08, 06:24 PM
  #6  
Benny49
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Benny49's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It's more like 'school bus' bouncy. On the smoothest road we have around here it is bouncy. The RX 300 had a smooth ride - nothing like this one. They are 17" tires and the tire chart on the car's psi recommends 30 and we are at 32.
Thank you for your ideas............we're still bouncing!
Old 11-04-08, 06:54 PM
  #7  
sup_lexio
Driver School Candidate
 
sup_lexio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New york
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I recommend 31psi of nitrogen and you will notice a big change.
Old 11-04-08, 09:03 PM
  #8  
jfelbab
Moderator
 
jfelbab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: FL
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 0
Received 58 Likes on 45 Posts
Default

I noticed this on a 07 loaner. If I had driven the 07 as a demo I'd have never bought it. My 04 rides very smooth. The 07 had 17" wheels and Michelin tires. I mentioned the bouncy ride to the service rep and he said that they probably had over-inflated the tires. It didn't feel like over-inflation to me. It just felt like the shocks were not damping the springs. Very poor ride, IMHO.
Old 11-05-08, 05:39 AM
  #9  
The G Man
Lexus Test Driver
 
The G Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: MA
Posts: 8,696
Received 68 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

The 18" rims are better, but its true, the suspension is tuned too soft causing the bouncy ride. A good set of performance shocks will take care of that.
Old 11-05-08, 03:23 PM
  #10  
Btmnk21
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
 
Btmnk21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

With the car in park and not running stand over the front tire. Put your hands on the hood and push down. How many times does the car bounce before stopping? Look it up- call the dealer- that's what my mechanic does to assess those sort of problems....
Old 11-10-08, 08:53 AM
  #11  
sportsfan8
Pole Position
 
sportsfan8's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Uh, mine is bouncy when I go over a large speed bump over 15 MPH... other than that, the ride is not normally bouncy. 18" with 32 PSI all around.
Old 11-16-08, 05:16 PM
  #12  
Benny49
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Benny49's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well, we decided to take our RX 350 into the dealer to see if they can find out why it is so bouncy on a smooth road. The saga continues................thanks for all of your ideas/suggestions/thoughts. I'll let you know what they decide.
Old 11-16-08, 05:36 PM
  #13  
ecount00
Lexus Test Driver
 
ecount00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

bouncy on a smooth road. I don't blame you for being dissatisfied. good luck.
Old 11-19-08, 02:10 AM
  #14  
AM1
Lexus Champion

iTrader: (6)
 
AM1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: So CaL
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

have the dealer check to make sure the shocks are working and not leaking. when i still had the rx330 mine leaked.
Old 11-20-08, 09:56 AM
  #15  
Boognish
Driver
 
Boognish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ours is not at all what I would consider "bouncy". However, it does handle like a heavy vehicle with a relatively high center of gravity - as expected.


Quick Reply: 2008 RX 350 bouncing



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:20 PM.