Camry SE Suspension - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Proliphik · 06-25-2009, 12:00 PM

(27,000 miles) Recently almost out of nowhere my ride has felt quite stiff... Not sure of the cause but im not liking it at all. Aside from all the cracking, creeking, and rattling in the car, the last thing i need is a hard stiff ride.

Does anyone know of ways any ways on improving the ride so that its softer and smoother? i wanna feel like like gliding over the road, not hiting every bump on it.
Thanks in advance for the help peoples

njerald · 06-25-2009, 12:03 PM

Lower your tire pressure down from the 50 psig that you're carrying....

Avalonman · 06-25-2009, 12:06 PM

Sounds like you should've looked at the XLE/LE and maybe the Hybrid. The SE is more tuned for handling, and ride quality, make it have a more sportier ride. There is a way to soften the ride, but imo it would be pointless (defeats the whole purpose of the SE.) I'm sure someone on the forum knows better than I.

Proliphik · 06-25-2009, 12:07 PM

whats a comfortable tire pressure? im going to get them filled with Nitrogen today. The toyo website says 33psi... is that good?

1956kiteboarder · 06-25-2009, 12:08 PM

O M G

That is what the SE is , I wish it was firmer. If you want a cushy ride, that is what the other models are for (le,xle).

Play with your tire pressure, lower pressure.

Proliphik · 06-25-2009, 12:09 PM

Avalon, maybe you didnt ready my statement correctly. I enjoyed the way it was riding up until recently. Just trying to figure out a way to get that smoothness back into, and maybe then some. I do plan to turn it into a luxury sport later this year with thousand$ in mods to come, maybe then ill go all out for a new suspension, but for now, just wanna get that fresh off the lot feel

1956, i like the way it handles, just recently feels like a skateboard on the road
so yea, ill mess with the pressure, thanks people

Avalonman · 06-25-2009, 12:10 PM

But remember, lower tire pressure can contribute to lower MPG!!! And even the TPMS Light to illuminate.

Avalonman · 06-25-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proliphik

Avalon, maybe you didnt ready my statement correctly. I enjoyed the way it was riding up until recently. Just trying to figure out a way to get that smoothness back into, and maybe then some. I do plan to turn it into a luxury sport later this year with thousand$ in mods to come, maybe then ill go all out for a new suspension, but for now, just wanna get that fresh off the lot feel

No I fully understood, I was just saying... EVERY car feels smooth, but then you get used to it and the road feels a bit rougher after a certain period of time. I remember when I got my 2002 LE. Started out smooth as hell. Now I can somewhat feel more than I used to.

thrawnis · 06-25-2009, 12:27 PM

I would recommend 34psi cold. That's the best combination of handling, gas mileage, and comfort that I have found for my car and for the current set of tires. If I had the money, I would have chosen nitrogen also.

Also, sometimes ride comfort can be compromised a little with poor alignment, wheel balancing issues, or tires that may need replacing soon. They wouldn't make the ride more "bumpy," but they may contribute to a more rough ride which your brain may be interpreting as a stiffer ride. I'm just taking a guess...

iluvJesus · 06-25-2009, 01:30 PM

could it be caused by worn control arm bushings and swaybar bushings?

gcretro · 06-25-2009, 02:09 PM

"Lower your tire pressure down from the 50 psig that you're carrying...."

50 PSI?

Most tires have max of 44psi!

njerald · 06-25-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcretro

"Lower your tire pressure down from the 50 psig that you're carrying...."

50 PSI?

Most tires have max of 44psi!

Right over your head................

spp · 06-25-2009, 07:20 PM

If suddenly, at least to you the ride seems harsher then either something broke or tire pressure was adjusted higher than the reccommended inside the door panel.
I'm assuming you Don't check your own air pressure???
Might not be as high as 50 that NJ said but sometimes in low profile tires like these it doesn't take much to change the ride.

***JohnGD*** · 06-26-2009, 01:40 AM

Like others said, was any maintenance work done on it? Like "tire pressure", etc.

It's interesting that these struts fail stiff like that. Usually thickening oil makes it stiffer gradually over time. Or a burst seal makes it soft and bouncy. Maybe something came loose inside and plugged up a valve?

Is it still within warranty? If so I'd take it back it the dealer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proliphik

(27,000 miles) Recently almost out of nowhere my ride has felt quite stiff... Not sure of the cause but im not liking it at all. Aside from all the cracking, creeking, and rattling in the car, the last thing i need is a hard stiff ride.

Does anyone know of ways any ways on improving the ride so that its softer and smoother? i wanna feel like like gliding over the road, not hiting every bump on it.
Thanks in advance for the help peoples

TOYO-ED · 06-26-2009, 02:49 AM

simple solution: put a cushion on your seat. you'll feel less of the bump