I hate F41 Suspension!!

[Keepin'her_going]

I guess I'm just just used to the usual pillow soft ride that the other H-Bodies provide. I do appreciate the increased handling, but it comes at too great of an expense of comfort. It would be too much work and money for me to do a spring/strut swap. So I'll try disconnecting the sway bars, and removing the strut stabilizer bar.

I used to think the sport suspension options were cool, until I had to commute with it.

[00Beast]

Don't disconnect the swaybars! That's not going to help your ride, just make handling dangerous. Same with the strut tower bar. When you're riding down the highway, they don't do anything for you.

You must be used to 70's boats. You'd despise a car like my G8...

But honestly, I think there's something wrong. What is it doing, or not doing? Sounds like you may have a broken spring or a busted strut or something that's not working right.

[Keepin'her_going]

Thanks for the advice!! Whew! You saved me from doing something dumb!

Anyhow, the car just tends to ride rough, I can feel unsmooth roads, the tiniest of bumps etc. I don't think anything is wrong with it though. When driving at high speeds and switching a lane, the F41 suspension shows its purpose. The car just sticks to the road.

And you are absolutely right about my background, I have driven 70s Caddys until recently when I bought the pontiac to save on fuel.


Moving from this:



To this:



Has been tough. But, I have ridden in H Bodies that I have been pleased with. I just happened to find the bonnie in great shape for a low price and snagged it up, assuming it would perform like the other H bodies. NOPE, it is nothing like the Olds or Buicks.

I'm not knocking it, but it just isn't my cup of tea. I'll probably look for Buick or Olds H Body, and sell the Bonneville.

The shame is that the 91 F41 Bonneville with alloys seems to be the cat's meow, but is totally wasted on me.

[CMNTMXR57]

Agreed, sounds to me like a bad strut.

Again, DON'T disconnect/remove a sway bar. The STB only strengthens the front suspension of the car, allowing for the suspension to do it's work better, buy strenghtening the actual body structure of the vehicle. Removing it won't help matters.

That old Caddy is a completely different setup. It has loads of suspension travel, soft springs, and high aspect ratio tires to help take out minor road impacts. And it's heavy...

[Jfridge92]

What a coincidence, you hate the stiffer ride and I hate my car being so bouncy haha, we should trade suspension....

In seriousness though, there are different levels of suspension, f41 being one of the firmer and more sporty rides. You could always swap to one of the more comfy suspensions like the LeSabre got if you want a floaty ride, just do your research before you swap parts to make sure you keep the suspension balanced right

[haro1225]

You could always ride in a hunkered down stiff sports car for a little while. After riding in an Evo for a couple hours, it made my GP feel like a couch and it has the stiffest suspension of anything I ever owned.

[Keepin'her_going]

I wish you lived closer JFridge92 I'd swap with ya in a heartbeat! If you ever find yourself in Galveston hit me up!

And ya I suppose it is all a matter of perspective, but I remain spoiled from the Cadillacs, lol.

[RJolly87]

I think it might be a good idea to get a second opinion on this from someone a bit more versed in the H-Body ride, because I haven't ever heard of a complaint like that.

Now, I do have similar complaints on the ride of the PA, but I also know that everything is completely shot. What kind of health is everything in? Degraded components can also cause these issues too.

[Zeik75]

I understand exactly what you are talking about! I had the sorf suspension on my car with dead struts when i first got it. It was comfy but to bouncy after bumps. I put the monroe quick struts in and had the same soft comfy ride but without the bouncing. I recently changed the front springs to the F41 springs and all the small bumps are MUCH more pronounced. Granted my front suspension is far from stock now but i would honestly say its mostly the springs being stiffer. If you struts are good you could order some springs from rock auto and swap them. That should give you a better feel.

[Keepin'her_going]

I might end up eating some crow here, but I checked the front and rear end, and found a tire waddling. I'll get it replaced and report back. Thanks everyone!!

Edit: I've had the tires balanced and a four wheel alignment, none of the "techs" found the issue.

[BonneMe]

Play with tire pressure. My car has nothing for comfort, but tire pressures make a huge difference.

If it's still bad, consider a softer spring, but good dampers (struts in your case) are what makes the body feel "controlled".

[Keepin'her_going]

Sorry I may not have been clear. There is a tire that has belt separation going on, causing a waddle.
My edit was just a rant how the "techs" never found it.
So I haven't given the F41 a proper chance yet, and once I get a new tire all should be well, as I checked all the suspension components.

If I find the F41 suspension to be acceptable, or even tolerable. I will be forced to eat the crow, lol.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!