Bouncy ride in cold weather

OK it's been a little cold here in Indiana the last few weeks, between 5 and 15 degrees F. My 95 seems to no longer have shock absorbers and bounces around like it's on stilts standing on a balloon. When it warms up it seems to be better. Any advice?

most likely you need new shocks/struts. The cold weather just helped the problem show up. This is not a 'characteristic' of the car in cold weather. We have similar temps where I live, my car does not do that and yours is the only post I know of complaining about this problem.

Albertj

Most likely you need new shocks/struts.

Mine rides like it has no suspension travel at all when it's below zero.




The build sheet for mine lists the soft ride suspension, but even in warm weather it has a firm ride.
I think someone improved things over the years with firmer springs or something.
I'm not complaining.

Different people have different ideas of 'firm.'

I think the '96 Riv's ride was firm compared to the stock ride of say a '70 Riv. It was also somewhat lighter (you would know). Compared to say an Audi, I would not call the 95-99 Riv's ride firm. A stock Lincoln Mk VIII with the air suspension had a firmer ride than a stock Riviera, swayed much less in slalom corners as well.

As far as Steve-Pi the Newbie goes - I think his shocks are not firming up as he drives, I just think the Dramamine is kicking in... He's got 3 choices, sort of.

1) get OE replacement struts/shocks from RockAuto.Com and install or have a local independent mechanic install... this will give him That Boulevard Ride

2) get Monroe fronts and Monroe Max-Air MA822 rears, and install or have local mechanic install - recommend getting the Monroe front strut mount kits (mount, strut bearing, misc hardware) too... This will give a comfy ride pretty much like OE but with less of the 'bobbing' on undulating secondary roads (the "twisties" out in the countryside)

3) get KYB fronts and OE or Monroe Max-Air rears (again getting the mount kits, KYB this time). My Riv has KYB front / OE rear (is on the 3rd set) - made the mistake of using OE mounts in front, they both failed for some reason, and I'm having them changed out today - but I'm very pleased with the ride otherwise.

One of the problems for many newbies, I think, is that like many (if not most) used cars there's lots of catch-up maintenance to do on a Riv bought used; unlike many used cars the parts are costlier than you might expect. Mabye Steve-Pi will comment.

Albertj

does kyb still not make their struts simple to install on the 97? I know that 98-99 is fairly easy to do but the configuration is a little bit different on the 97.

Mike: as far as I know you are correct, '97 is a problem. I have a '98.

You might consider Gabriels if you have a '97.

Albertj

I'm with Steve on this one. I have a 95 Riv that rides like it has no suspension at all when the weather gets real cold. I doubt the shocks or struts have ever been replaced.

JimmyRiviera wrote:

I'm with Steve on this one. I have a 95 Riv that rides like it has no suspension at all when the weather gets real cold. I doubt the shocks or struts have ever been replaced.

There's the likely culprit.

I replaced mine with KYB's a couple years ago. Were probably original, at 100k, and looked like they had 200k on them. Time for new ones....

Why would a KYB strut be any more difficult to install than any other brand?
I have installed many sets of struts on many brands of cars over the years, and for the most part it's the same proceedure for all of them.

IIRC, GM changed the G-body front end suspension in '97 and '98. The changes went beyond swapping a knuckle with smooth holes for the strut base bolts for one that has splines.

Albertj

Albertj, you are correct that I have had a lot of maintenance to do since buying the car with 88k on it. It has 135k now and those have to be the original shocks so they'll be next to get replaced. I just finished the lower intake manifold and SC coupler so I'm a little burned out right now. Thanks for all your help.

Steve

I understand what you mean by burned out, Steve-pi. Did my front brakes (outside) today. Was going to do all 4 corners, but decided to "declare victory" after getting the fronts done. Want a laugh. I installed EBC pads - am starting a thread about my experience with them. Have a look.

Albertj