Improving the RIDE QUALITY!!!

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kingtonghsp

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Im all about the smooth ride quality of my Lincoln LS. I just bought new tires thinking it would help fix the quality of the rough ride I have. Took it to a few places, and the answer I got was, "that's just the way the V8 Sport rides. Well my V6 rode really smooth, and there is a HUGE difference in the ride quality.

Are they different shocks? Or a different suspension all togethor?

I am in the market to buy some after market suspension parts. Anyone wanna help me out by compiling me a list of suspension parts to buy, that will improve the ride quality?

Thanks fellas.
 
The sport LS uses different shocks than the non sport. Which means the ride is a little bit firmer. Also the sway bar is a little bigger too. What size rims and tires are you running?
 
LeaSr77 said:
The sport LS uses different shocks than the non sport. Which means the ride is a little bit firmer. Also the sway bar is a little bigger too. What size rims and tires are you running?
Click to expand...

Everything is stock.

17 Inch Rims, 235/50R17

Any suggestions on how to improve the ride quality?
 
put the non-sport shocks on...or go with the 16" LS rim package with a 60 or 65 series tire
 
yup, switch out all of the sport stuff (shocks, sway bar)for the non-sport stuff and go with smaller wheels with taller tires

or sell it for a continental with air ride :) their like riding on a cloud
 
do you remember if your V6 had a 'sport' package on it?

The V6 and V8 should ride nearly idential - so like stated above, replace the sport shocks with base shocks and go to taller sidewall tire (may mean you have to move down to 16" rims). The anti-sway bar should not effect the ride quality too much, other than the under-steer/over-steer with going hard into a corner.

BTW - the jag shocks are not a direct swap. the lower mount is much more narrow than the LS.
 
kingtonghsp said:
Everything is stock.

17 Inch Rims, 235/50R17

Any suggestions on how to improve the ride quality?
Click to expand...

Like one of the above posters mentioned, if you want the smoother ride then you'll have to change your shocks out to the non sport shocks and go down to 16" rims so you can get more side wall on the tire. The sport shocks are stiffer than non sport shocks.
 
Quik LS said:
BTW: the Monroe Sensatrak shocks are close to a 'base' OE shock
Click to expand...

Quick are these shocks any good? I'm planning on replacing the shocks in the near future. I heard that the Monroe shocks are like not having anything on the car. What's your input?
 
Quik, no my V6 was a base model Lincoln LS 2005. Is it possible to replace the shocks at home, or shall I tak e the car to the shop and put it on a lift to do it? We have a lift bay here on Fort Campbell.

I was planning on lowering the car and getting 18" wheels put on, and doing all the fancy hicky doo to it, but I guess now I got some things to re-consider.

From what im hearing from you guys and the fellas at the shop is, this is a normal thing for this car to be riding a little rough compared to my V6. That's a relief.
 
kingtonghsp said:
Quik, no my V6 was a base model Lincoln LS 2005. Is it possible to replace the shocks at home, or shall I tak e the car to the shop and put it on a lift to do it? We have a lift bay here on Fort Campbell.

I was planning on lowering the car and getting 18" wheels put on, and doing all the fancy hicky doo to it, but I guess now I got some things to re-consider.

From what im hearing from you guys and the fellas at the shop is, this is a normal thing for this car to be riding a little rough compared to my V6. That's a relief.
Click to expand...

you can swap the shocks at home - hand tools. The key is to either get a spring compressor (or rent from the local parts store) or jack up the car to allow the suspension to hang at full droop.

The 18" and lowering will only make the ride even stiffer.
 
Quik LS said:
you can swap the shocks at home - hand tools.

The 18" and lowering will only make the ride even stiffer.
Click to expand...

That's good to know that I can do it myself at the house.

Now, if I can remove the sport shocks, and put the "smooth oem base" shocks on there, and then lower it with Eibach springs, and put 18" wheels on there, would it help any?
 
the lowering springs are progressively harsher than the stock springs since they have less distance to travel (being shorter), so that makes them harsher over bumps.

the 18" look nice but offer less sidewall than your current tires, and therefore will be harsher in the bumps.

both the lowering springs and large rims will improve the handling (and look better IMHO) however at the price of softness.
 
Well I guess, we as men, make our sacrifices from time to time. Thanks Lou, and everybody else from the help.

Looks like Tong has some reconsidering to do.
 
kingtonghsp said:
That's good to know that I can do it myself at the house.

Now, if I can remove the sport shocks, and put the "smooth oem base" shocks on there, and then lower it with Eibach springs, and put 18" wheels on there, would it help any?
Click to expand...

if you think that the ride is rough now, going to 18"s will only make it worse
lowering it will make it way worse

if you lower with 18"s and the ride quality will be horrible.
 
I don't want the Honda Civic Si feel, if that's where its gonna go.

How about, replace the shocks, don't lower it, and get 19" or 20", just to fill up the wheel wall.
 
kingtonghsp said:
I don't want the Honda Civic Si feel, if that's where its gonna go.

How about, replace the shocks, don't lower it, and get 19" or 20", just to fill up the wheel wall.
Click to expand...

Even with 19" or a 20" wheel the gap is not going to be filled. There will still be some space between the tire and car. I have 20s on my car now. Check my profile to get an ideal how it sits.
 
No free lunch. If you think the sport suspension rides harsh you will not like the ride with lower springs and/or larger wheels/lower profile tires.

The sidewall on the tire will absorb some of the impact when you go over a bump. The lower profile tire the more force is transferred to the suspension and further into the body of the car.
 
Rich88LSC said:
No free lunch. If you think the sport suspension rides harsh you will not like the ride with lower springs and/or larger wheels/lower profile tires.

The sidewall on the tire will absorb some of the impact when you go over a bump. The lower profile tire the more force is transferred to the suspension and further into the body of the car.
Click to expand...

Well said. That's the price you pay for plus sizing.
 
kingtonghsp said:
I don't want the Honda Civic Si feel, if that's where its gonna go.

How about, replace the shocks, don't lower it, and get 19" or 20", just to fill up the wheel wall.
Click to expand...

the bigger the wheel, the less sidewall the tire will have, with 20"s you will definitely feel every bump, dip and groove in the road.
 
Thanks for the insight guys, I guess i'll have to think about if I really want to sacrifice quality for handling/looks. I'll post pics of whatever I decide.
 
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