Suspension system - Need Help/Advice!

[bavula]

I own a 1998 Toyota Camry, 4 cylinder, automatic, mileage: 100K. It has ABS brakes, power steering, A/C, cruise control.

When I bought this car (used) 2 years ago, the mechanic who inspected the car suggested that I change out the suspension system. I did as he advised, and got the suspension changed (both front and back). But the new suspension system that he installed is very stiff. It feels like sports car like suspension. I can feel every bump/hole on the road. My wife is complaining lately about this.

I would like to have a much smoother ride in the car, something you would typically get in luxury cars. I do not care as much for the handling/cornering abilities. I am not a sports car driver. Is there something that can be done?

Does the existing suspension system need to be replaced with another system, or can some "tweaks" be done to the existing suspension to produce a smoother ride?

If I have to replace the system, what kind of suspension (make/model) should I buy?
How much does it cost? Is this something I can do myself with some instructions? I am not very much into cars.



Thanks a lot for your help!

[AyzhenInvasion]

u need to find out what struts/springs you have on ur car right now.
the softest setup u can get would be kyb shocks and stock springs. because theres no aftermarket companies that make comfort shocks. (unless the coilover's shocks can be adjusted to really soft.. people with ksports, wanna input on this one?)
so if urs is already kyb with stock springs, then theres not much u can do.
but if its performance setup, u can always buy stock parts again and switch it out
go find out and let us kno =]

[bigbird]

you can also get monroe shock. cheaper and basiclly OEM but they dont last as long as OEM either but will compare to KYBs as far as life span.

[renmike]

I would suggest monroe over gabriels. I put a set of gabriels on my car and now it rides a bit harsher than I'd want. Then again, my shocks were all gone, so maybe I just didn't know what a normal ride was supposed to feel like

[bavula]

Originally Posted by AyzhenInvasion

u need to find out what struts/springs you have on ur car right now.

I am going to purchase the repair manual book today, but is there an easy way to find out what strut/spring I have on my car at the moment?

[geoff5093]

What color are the sturts? I have KYB's and they are silver. Im not 100% sure, but usually if the struts are colored (red, blue, etc), then they most likely are a sport-type suspension.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by bavula

I am going to purchase the repair manual book today, but is there an easy way to find out what strut/spring I have on my car at the moment?

There is an actual generation 4 Toyota factory service manual stickied at the top of the General Camry Discussion Forum, that is available for free downloading.

Mike

[bavula]

I found out that the struts on my car are "KYC GR-2 Gas Replacement Strut".

What can I do to get a smoother ride? Would replacing these struts help? These were installed on my car about 2 years ago.

[Blackhawk3D]

Unless you plan on putting blown struts in, that's as soft as it's going to get with new struts, what kind of springs did he install? They are stock ride height correct? If they are Ebiachs they could look almost stock but still be stiffer.

[bavula]

Blackhaws3D - Thanks for the response. So, are you suggesting that the struts may be fine, but the springs may be very stiff?
I do not know what kind of springs he installed. I will try and read the make/model on the springs tomorrow.


In general, if the ride is not smooth (i.e, if I am feeling every bump/hole on the road and want to change that), then should we change the struts or should we change springs instead? Or both?

[Tom 2000]

Since nobody else asked, how are your tires? Are they stock size (195/70R14)? Inflated correctly?

I've used KYB GR2 struts on my old Camry with stock springs and it rode really really smooth. It fit rides that bad, I am wondering if some very stiff aftermarket springs were installed.

[bavula]

Tom 2000 - Yes, the tires are 195/70R14. I did not check the pressure but they visibly look fine.

Do you think stiff springs may be the culprit? Perhaps I can replace them with OEM springs. Do you think I can use the same struts while replacing the springs, or I have to replace both?
And is this something I can do on my own?

[Tom 2000]

Do check your tire pressure first to make sure they are not over-inflated. My dad over-inflated his tires way too much (like 50+ PSI) on his 96 Camry (same tire size) once and it rode/handled terribly.

Stiff aftermarket springs may be the culprit. You can put OEM springs back in with the same struts assuming the struts are still in good shape. If they are only 2 years old, chances are that they are.

One more thing. Aftermarket springs are typically lowering springs. Does your car sit lower than other Camrys?

If you're a handy person, you can do this by yourself, but you would need a spring compressor and a good vise at a minimum. I did it once and it was more muscle than actual skill, but if I were to change the suspension again, I think I would rather take it in to get it changed.

[rusty9]

im guessing over inflated crappy all season tires.i highly doubt a mechanic would change his springs. telling us he changed the suspension is vague. also going from 4 blown struts to new ones that actual work is going to feel a lot different. anyways...its a camry, not a grand marquis. its gonna ride a little stiff.

[eyeball96]

I think your tires are the problem!!! What Brand? You really should check the pressures, not just visibly!