Jeep Grand Cherokee - Rough Ride

Hello all

I have a 98 Grand Cherokee Laredo (4.0) that I have owned for about 4
years. Recently, the ride has been increasingly worse. I notice
every bump now, and it feels like I have a very uncomfortable ride.

I know very little about suspension, but I figured some new shocks
might help. I have 80,000 miles, and I dont believe that any
suspension work was done prior to when I purchased it.

I cant explain it too well, but it's basically the feeling that I am
directly attached to the frame every time I hit a bump or even small
pot hole.

I have the stock 15" wheels, with some basic all purpose tires.

I am just wondering if anyone could give me some suspension pointers,
or suggestions as to how I may improve the ride of my Jeep. Will
shocks help? Or should I look at a more agressive option like springs
or somethign else?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Josh

Josh wrote:
>
> Hello all
>
> I have a 98 Grand Cherokee Laredo (4.0) that I have owned for about 4
> years. Recently, the ride has been increasingly worse. I notice
> every bump now, and it feels like I have a very uncomfortable ride.
>
> I know very little about suspension, but I figured some new shocks
> might help. I have 80,000 miles, and I dont believe that any
> suspension work was done prior to when I purchased it.
>
> I cant explain it too well, but it's basically the feeling that I am
> directly attached to the frame every time I hit a bump or even small
> pot hole.
>
> I have the stock 15" wheels, with some basic all purpose tires.
>
> I am just wondering if anyone could give me some suspension pointers,
> or suggestions as to how I may improve the ride of my Jeep. Will
> shocks help? Or should I look at a more agressive option like springs
> or somethign else?
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated.

Did you recently get new tires or have anyone change the tire pressure?
It may be as simple as some shop filling the tires up to their max.
inflation pressure, as many do. You can check the shocks by bouncing
one end of the vehicle up and down and see if the oscillations stop
right away or they keep going a few cycles. If so, then the shocks are
not damping properly. It could be that the shocks have stiffenened up,
too, sometimes rust on the rods can cause this. You might consider
having a good shop take a look at it and see if there is anything else
that is worn out and give you some recommendations.

--
Roger

Roger Brown > wrote in message >...
> Josh wrote:
> >
> > Hello all
> >
> > I have a 98 Grand Cherokee Laredo (4.0) that I have owned for about 4
> > years. Recently, the ride has been increasingly worse. I notice
> > every bump now, and it feels like I have a very uncomfortable ride.
> >
> > I know very little about suspension, but I figured some new shocks
> > might help. I have 80,000 miles, and I dont believe that any
> > suspension work was done prior to when I purchased it.
> >
> > I cant explain it too well, but it's basically the feeling that I am
> > directly attached to the frame every time I hit a bump or even small
> > pot hole.
> >
> > I have the stock 15" wheels, with some basic all purpose tires.
> >
> > I am just wondering if anyone could give me some suspension pointers,
> > or suggestions as to how I may improve the ride of my Jeep. Will
> > shocks help? Or should I look at a more agressive option like springs
> > or somethign else?
> >
> > Any help is greatly appreciated.
>
> Did you recently get new tires or have anyone change the tire pressure?
> It may be as simple as some shop filling the tires up to their max.
> inflation pressure, as many do. You can check the shocks by bouncing
> one end of the vehicle up and down and see if the oscillations stop
> right away or they keep going a few cycles. If so, then the shocks are
> not damping properly. It could be that the shocks have stiffenened up,
> too, sometimes rust on the rods can cause this. You might consider
> having a good shop take a look at it and see if there is anything else
> that is worn out and give you some recommendations.

I bought new tires about a year ago. Havent checked the tire
pressure, but I should do that. I'll check out the shocks as well.
Been thinking about going to a local shop, but kind of concerned about
getting taken. I wanted to do a bit of research first.

Thanks for the help.

josh

What is your current tire pressure? Here's the thing ... a guy I knew who
was not at all likeable, had his car "serviced" at the school he taught at.
Ride seemed a bit rough ... his tires had been inflated to 80 lbs ... an
accident waiting to happen ... or ... ****ed of kids will be ****ed off kids
.... with not much thought put into who he might take out with him when his
tire(s) blew.

"Josh" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello all
>
> I have a 98 Grand Cherokee Laredo (4.0) that I have owned for about 4
> years. Recently, the ride has been increasingly worse. I notice
> every bump now, and it feels like I have a very uncomfortable ride.
>
> I know very little about suspension, but I figured some new shocks
> might help. I have 80,000 miles, and I dont believe that any
> suspension work was done prior to when I purchased it.
>
> I cant explain it too well, but it's basically the feeling that I am
> directly attached to the frame every time I hit a bump or even small
> pot hole.
>
> I have the stock 15" wheels, with some basic all purpose tires.
>
> I am just wondering if anyone could give me some suspension pointers,
> or suggestions as to how I may improve the ride of my Jeep. Will
> shocks help? Or should I look at a more agressive option like springs
> or somethign else?
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Josh

It is quite possible that some of the bushes that hold the various
suspension bits in place are starting to get worn. Anywhere there is a
direct attachment to the body, there will be some sort of bush, rubber of
poly and these are not meant to last forever. If they get sufficiently
stuffed, then they transmit the road shock directly to the cabin instead of
the rubber absorbing it.

The only way to see is to jack your car up and have a good look underneath.
Sometimes you might have to remove pieces to see if the rubbers are
knackered.

Alternatively you might just tell a suspension shop to replace all the
suspension bushes when the shocks are done?

Regards
Stephen
"Josh" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello all
>
> I have a 98 Grand Cherokee Laredo (4.0) that I have owned for about 4
> years. Recently, the ride has been increasingly worse. I notice
> every bump now, and it feels like I have a very uncomfortable ride.
>
> I know very little about suspension, but I figured some new shocks
> might help. I have 80,000 miles, and I dont believe that any
> suspension work was done prior to when I purchased it.
>
> I cant explain it too well, but it's basically the feeling that I am
> directly attached to the frame every time I hit a bump or even small
> pot hole.
>
> I have the stock 15" wheels, with some basic all purpose tires.
>
> I am just wondering if anyone could give me some suspension pointers,
> or suggestions as to how I may improve the ride of my Jeep. Will
> shocks help? Or should I look at a more agressive option like springs
> or somethign else?
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Josh