So when I bought my Cobalt, I knew it needed new struts. I figured that was why I was having such a bumpy ride. I just recently replaced the strut assembly and mounts. My mechanic said I didn't need to replace the coils so he didn't. I was kinda unsure about it, but I went with it, cuz he seemed pretty sure of it.

After having this done, there was a slight difference in how the ride was, but may I emphasize on "SLIGHT". I asked about what else could be doing this, and he told me it was most likely my low profile tires, but I don't think it could make THAT big of a difference, because they are stock cobalt ss rims. No one would buy this car if it road the way mine does, lol.

Soooo, my question is, what else could it possibly be? could it be my tires or the coils? any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Cobalts have never been a smooth car...Are you on stock springs?

 

Yea, I have stock right now, is that probably the problem?

 

some mechanics suck... anyway i replaced control arm bushings on my girls 06 cobalt lt. i saw that one poped out, car had 100k. not sure why your mehcanic suggested changing the strut mount but not the spring or shock? sounds cheesy, unless you wanted a cheap price and he did what he could.

give more info about your car

year,miles, 5spd/auto, ......

 

I have hhr ss same suspension,only has 12,900 miles ride is rough to me too,think it is what it is.
When I need new tires I'm going to look for sticky soft tires they don't last as long but it should soften the ride.
Mine seems like new old handicap couple owned it,I'm thinking ride is normal.
Some people change in time and you may have just didn't notice it,or you may been driving in another car and notice ride is way smoother then the ss,lol might have been that way the whole time.
Just my thoughts.

 

Probably the tires combined with it being a performance suspension, which generally aren't super soft. Although since switching from my winter 17'' (225/45/17 IRL wheels) to summer 18''(225/40/18 SS/TC wheels) I noticed the ride got better the Kumho Ecsta 4x is known to have a really stiff sidewall for good steering response but I didn't realise how much worse it made it vs my Conti DWS tires, in a few weeks once I have my PF01's powdercoated I'll be able to see how they compare on real summer tires (BFGoodrich Sport COMP-2 235/40/18).

 

2006, 98k miles, 5spd SS SC

I just brought it into two different mechanics and told them it was riding extremely rough, and they both told me the struts and mounts were bad. So I think those were ready to be changed out, but it obviously wasn't necessarily the issue.

 

Mine rides like dog ****. It is just the way it is.

 

The ride on my mom's base model is horrific in comparison to my SS. You would think the FE1 suspension would be geared towards ride comfort...doesnt appear so.

 

FE1 should be way softer, but her **** is probably broke. CABS, end links, etc.

Other people that ride in my SS hate the rough ride, but I'm used to it.

 

Your driving a Cobalt not a Mercedes

 

Agreed.

I've driven in a few base models before, and they rode terrrible compared to my car.

 

lol car had 40,000 miles on it when she first bought it, still rides the same as it did 2 years ago, theres nothing broke. Ive gone over that suspension with a fine tooth and comb. It's just built like **** (aka cheap). Like every other low end McPherson strut design that GM uses.

 

LOL, the cabs and endlinks only last about 2-3 years. LOL

 

Least your honest with yourself,I thought mine rode like **** too.
Some want to put it lightly,but bottom line it rides like ****.lol

 

but but but, it handles like RACECAR.

I think a lot of people step into these cars thinking you can have comfort and handling, They are hard to match cheaply

 

How about 2-3 months of winter weather

 

push the pedal down...........wait for whine...........forget about ride quality

 

I live in NEPA which is known for its shitty roads, and for having an upgraded suspension, my car rides rather nice.

Brand new SS/TC Struts, Springs, Koni Yellows, MOOG cabs, and Hardcore Rear bar.

Any harshness that may occur you forget about as soon as you take it through some curves.

 

^^

 

its just the trade-off you make to have a sporty handling car.

you want good ride quality? sure but it ain't gonna handle good

you want good handling but for a good price? sure but it's gonna ride like ****

you want good handling and ride quality? sure but it ain't gonna be a cheap car

 

Even on stock springs my SS/TC rode like ****, and now im lowered its still shitty. Just the way it is with these cars. My wifes base model was amazing compared to my SS. The ride quality was so smooth.

 

Your right on^^
I know I'm not complaining I was getting 30mpg no freeway yesterday on a tune.
Lets think about this real clear,pot hole with Cadillac not felt so hard,cobalt its rough,just because you feel it more in cobalt doesn't mean Cadillac not taking a beating.
These or any car is not made to off-road on concrete,some of you live on nice rodes but most of use are driving around land mines.

 

If your consistently beating the **** out of your car in the corners, yeh Id be inclined to agree with you. For a 58 year old driving a base model cobalt as a DD, no the CAB's and end links are fine. lol GM suspensions on most of their car's are engineered with price in mind first and foremost. The double wishbone suspension that honda was using on the honda civic in the 90s is far superior to what the cobalt came equipped with. "Sport tuned" Or not.

 

Um, that is complete horse crap. Doesn't matter how you drive. If your car sees a lot of winters and bad roads, it will not matter your driving style.

Far superior in what way? The FE5 Cobalt suspension is an amazing setup for the low price.