Hi, looking for ways to improve the ride of my '09 Element. The only suggestions I can find are; going to softer tires, installing "performance" shock absorbers and adjusting or replacing the springs.

I'm wondering if anyone has successfully done any or all of the above modifications. Input would be appreciated.

Also, I have, as I understand many do, noise issues. Again, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

I see you have an AWD E so im not certain what can be done as far as "noise" goes. For a softer ride, more sidwall on the tire?

"Improve" = harder or softer ride? "Performance" shocks (if available for the E at all) will give a harder ride, won't they? That would run counter to "softer" tires. Anything you do to make the ride squishy will adversely affect handling response.

wow, i really had no issue with the way my 09 ex awd rode even before installing ground control coilover sleeves.

not trying to be a smart a$$ but to improve the ride, buy a car that is known for its plush and cush ride. I dont think the ride of the E from the factory is aweful...maybe you just have unrealistic expectations?

Which is why I love the ride and feel of the SC. Its more car like where the prior 03 EX I had was truck like. If your after a harsh ride, come drive my moms Toyota Matrix. Its like riding a refrigerator door tied to a skate board.

Hi, looking for ways to improve the ride of my '09 Element. The only suggestions I can find are; going to softer tires, installing "performance" shock absorbers and adjusting or replacing the springs.

Except for the tires those are bad suggestions. The Element is a short wheelbase vehicle designed to haul stuff. In other words; if you wanted a cushy ride you should have bought a Buick.

The best ride comes, I've found, when my Element is loaded down with stuff in the back. When traveling with luggage and camping gear it rides pretty nice.8)

My Element's hard ride has become more noticable lately. Maybe because I'm getting older and hurt in more places. Seems like the road engineers here designed all the streets so the manhole covers always line up with the tire tracks and are 3" lower than the road surface. As for road and wind noise, I've learned to live with it, but if I had done a test drive at highway speeds, I probably wouldn't have bought an Element.

My Element's hard ride has become more noticable lately. Maybe because I'm getting older and hurt in more places. Seems like the road engineers here designed all the streets so the manhole covers always line up with the tire tracks and are 3" lower than the road surface. As for road and wind noise, I've learned to live with it, but if I had done a test drive at highway speeds, I probably wouldn't have bought an Element.

a full carpet kit from southcoast accessories will cut down on cabin noise

To help with road and wind noise, search google for "CLD tile", as mentioned a carpet kit or underlayment will also help. WIth the CLD tiles, they absorb panel noise/vibration. Sealing the open cavities behind the plastic door panel will also help. The difference is night and day after this was done to mine with the new stereo install.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2woinoo.jpg

Ok, thanks for the input, but to you who want to "blame the victim", which is very popular these days, I didn't say I had problems with the ride and unreasonable expectations, but, perhaps, someone who also rides in the vehicle does.
But, thanks anyway.

I didn't say I had problems with the ride You said "lousy" and I think people jumped to the conclusion that "lousy" was a bad thing and meant that you "had problems with the ride", based on the generally understood definition of the word.

Hi, looking for ways to improve the ride of my '09 Element. The only suggestions I can find are; going to softer tires, installing "performance" shock absorbers and adjusting or replacing the springs.

I'm wondering if anyone has successfully done any or all of the above modifications. Input would be appreciated.

Also, I have, as I understand many do, noise issues. Again, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ok, thanks for the input, but to you who want to "blame the victim", which is very popular these days, I didn't say I had problems with the ride and unreasonable expectations, but, perhaps, someone who also rides in the vehicle does.
But, thanks anyway.


You didnt say you had problems with the ride? When someone uses the word "lousy" that sure doesnt mean no problems, or great. There was no mention in your original post about other passesngers, etc. Again, you had unrealistic expectations if you thought you would get any other responses than what you did.

None of us are mind readers, so we took what you said as what you meant. So the blame the victim thing doesnt fly with me.

The E is a short wheel base vehicle. Im assuming in passengers you mean back seat occupents? That would probably be because the rear seat sits right on top of the rear tires. So to answer your question, there really isnt a good way to improve on what it already is. The ride of the E is relative to what you are comparing it too. Does it ride lousy compared to a buick or caddy? Yes, i would agree with you then that the E rides lousy.

No matter how you slice and dice it, F=MA, the energy of an impact has to be transferred somewhere.

A lot depends on what you mean by a hard ride, and under what conditions. The faster you move, the harder it is to convert motion to heat. Two cheap ways to improve "butt feel" are to slow down and use supplementary seat cushions/pads to increase damping between the vehicle and the passengers.

Some other ways to increase motion damping include changing to wider/larger diameter/softer tires, changing springs to increase travel, and shocks with larger diameter pistons and non-linear response. Most of these are relatively expensive.