CVicVogel

It was the early 70’s…most of you weren’t even born, and I was screeching tires in the “open” class at SCCA autocrosses.
TIPS I learned THEN that still work with nose-heavy cars NOW: if you understeer (plough) too much into corners, add a sway bar AND stiffen the rear springs.

My 2003 GLE was too soft in the rear- I carried 2-3 teenagers and it bottomed out!!! Plus, it sagged while sitting empty yet, the dealer said it was fine.

Solution: buy used 2002-2003 SE stock rear springs and shocks and install. Results:
1) Slightly quicker turn-in when approaching a corner
2) Less understeer while driving through the apex of the corner
3) Slightly higher rear end when sitting static (actually looks better since it’s not sagging anymore)
4) Less bottoming out when carrying the teenagers!!!!!!!
I Learned all about the Max suspension from reading this website for the past year. I bought the springs off of a great forum member….Pxxxxxx (I am maintaining his privacy).

Here are some of the differences between the 2002-2003 GLE and SE

· Same front springs but slightly stiffer shocks (I left mine stock for now-but may switc h them out)
· Stiffer rear springs and shocks! The ride is tighter!!
· SE has a larger front sway bar (which does INCREASE understeer and compensates for the stiffer rear springs. My guess is that the car does corner flatter).
· SE 17” tires have a lower profile (my speedometer runs slow…the SE runs a little fast). My wife and I like the ride of my higher profile tires.
· Same rear sway bar (attached to the tube axle).

If you stay with the smaller front sway bar of the GLE, you should have slightly less understeer…especially if you attach a rear sway bar!!
Thanks for listening!

Vic

6spmax

Now I'm glad I already own an SE.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

For auto-x, try disconnecting the front swaybar links. How's that for 70's tech heh

Y2K2Driver

iTrader: (1)

I believe there is A TSB that indicates the same solution you performed yourself for GLEs that bottom out. I forget the number though.