Ive read all the post about what springs and struts and shocks ppl like for the last couple days.

This is my question. My 03 GLE has a stock suspension except for a fstb. The rear of my car bounces like i drive a trampoline. I dont care if i lower it but i have read were ppl stated change to the SE springs. would this help. Also i see in the FS area there are some maxspeed springs. They would drop me 1.5 or so but would they make a better ride? As for springs i read the tokico HPs but i need something cheaper as my budget is tight but i want a nice ride. It doesnt have to be f1 type of handling but the bounciness and the harsh ride (yea on the GLE) is annoying. If i go over a regular speedbump the back end drops right to the bumpstops about. I had a 96 Monte carlo and that car outhandled this car.
Any help?

 

yes, the GLE are very bouncy. the SE ones would be more firm but if you are going to all the trouble to change them, you might as well install lowering springs.
i installed H&Rs (similar to maxspeed) and tokicos and it was a world of difference.

 

Yeah if your ripping it apart anyway, might as well lower it. I would hate to have to go back just for fun.

 

the se springs are stiffer especially from an automatic, but i am not sure if that would help you with your situation since you're comparing the max to a monte carlo or in other words to a boat. LOL

 

hahaha yea i know. To do springs and shocks and struts would be alot of money for me to spend right now. Out of handling and bounciness i want to get rid of the floating feel first, then handling second. What would my ride quality and handling be like with stock shocks and struts and maxspeed springs?

 

You would probably blow the stock struts on Maxspeeds! Just save $$ and do the Maxspeeds or H&R with Tokico Blues! Can't go wrong with that combo!

 

your struts could be blown, so go ahead and get the lowering springs and new struts while your at it.

 

Based on the "bouncyness", I'm betting blown struts too.

 

bounciness is from stock GLE springs. I know, i had an 00 GLE.

 

If the struts and springs are "paired" properly, there shouldn't be any floatiness or bouncyness.

 

I know you need to be in the car to know what im talking about but this is what happens....
I have a spot on my road where they had to dig straight across for gas lines. It was filled in and now in the winter in sunk a bit. Now in my wifes pacifica ( i know bad example) it goes over the sunkenness but not to noticalbe at all. Also in my friends car it hits it normally. When my Max goes over it the front takes it well but the rear seems as if i have 2 300 lb guys jump in the trunk. Also going over a speedbump at 2 mph or even less the rear drops hard. I guess my question is what is gone or going. Is the shocks or springs that keep you from bottoming out? From that explanation on what happens would i need new shocks or springs?

 

IMO, the shocks are blown and are not dampening the spring compression or rebound.

Find a friend with a stock GLE with good shocks and compare.

 

thats gonna be hard. no friends have a max. I think i might get the Maxspeeds and change the shocks and springs. How is the ride with maxspeed springs

 

I have a similar 2k3 GLE. The rear was incredibly soft and bouncy. If you don't want to change out the springs for SE springs (which I did), at least replace the shock absorbers with something stiffer.

You can go really stiff (Tokico blues, etc.) or a slightly softer shock.

thanks

 

Cvic,
What shocks did you replace yours with? Did the SE springs make a difference? So yuo had a stock GLE all in all what new gear did you put in and what was the difference in handling and comfort?

 

Jeff

I replaced the GLE springs with SE springs and shocks. I now bottom less but the rear is still too bouncy. I really think that the shocks need replacing at 70,000 miles.

However, due to budget considerations, I will not be buying adjustable shocks.

I may buy the KYB GR-2's (I believe they are the non-adjustable version) and stay with the stock SE springs in the back.

If you're on a real budget and want a temporary fix...Here's a good itea. Buy 2 Monroe shocks for the back and have them installed at a local discount Auto place. It will fix your problem cheap until you want to upgrade.thanks

 

I put my mUney on Struts, if you change out your springs with SE and you feel a difference then uhh i don't know what the hell you are talking about...seriously...

 

with the car parked, go the back and push hte car down and get it bounceing...the car should only bounce 1.5 times up in down with "good" shocks/struts.

more that that and its most likely time for new ones.

 

You can also just get down to the floor and visually inspect. If the are worn, they should be leaking pretty badly. That and what MYBlue02 said shoudl clear up if you have BLOWN shocks. MY BET is that you do...

If so, just get the rears for now if money is tight. I replace mine with Tokico Blues also known as Tokico HP's. I'm very happy with the end result. I did not want to drop my car as I feel the SE is already rough as IS.

 

Basically, you get a lower stance with like stock SE ride quality.

I am riding on Tokico Blues and MaxSpeeds. Quite amazed with the ride. Not much different than stock. Just make sure you cut approx. 1/2" off the bumpstops. No bottomoing out at all.

I'd have to say, this combination is definately a low-cost, nicely matched set-up.

 

im doing illumina/progress drop on my 2002 GLE this weekend!!!!!!!!!

 

If you buy the struts off ebay, whether it be GR-2 or whatever, it'll cost about the same as the Monroe shocks you can buy at the store... And I agree, if you're bouncing that much it sounds like bad shocks. If you don't want to lower it, just try stiffer shocks first or put on SE springs and stiffer shocks. I find that going over speedbumps a bit sideways cuts down on the bouncy bottoming out feeling on the back.

 

The automatics only have stiffer springs in the front. The rears are the same........I noticed the difference when I went from an 02 automatic to an 03 6 speed. The front was softer.........

 

ok i did the push on the rear test and ii push down it comes up and settles back to normal. so off that it seems they are ok struts. But going over big dips or bumps it seems to sink i guess is the right word. is it just the GLE susp. Driving over cracks and regular road it feels actually fairly tight but it doesnt seem optimal. I think im losing it with the car this way. Maybe new struts and stock springs are the answer.