Achieving that "new car ride" again without buying a new car again.

[Ob1hybrid]

As the the mileage add up and the years pile on or maybe you bought it this way, the ride becomes bumpy, steering becomes loose and the engine a little sluggish. What can we do to restore that new car feel? I just changed both shocks and struts (acDelco) and while that made a difference, steering still feels loose and ride is still a little bumpy. Yeah, I have factory 22s but in the beginning it wasn't a factor. So what would you change?

 

[adventurenali92]

Loose steering can be caused by a number of different things. My steering was loose due to bad front sway bar bushings, and pitman arms. Could also be a few other steering components. On the sluggish part, how many miles? Have you considered changing spark plugs?also have you looked into a tune yet?

 

[metelhead]

....I'm in the process of trying to get 'near' to that new car feel as well....my 09 has 202k and while its been quite trouble free, the wear and tear has taken a toll

...as such I'm rebuilding the entire front end....upper and low control arms, ball joints, tie rods, hubs, sway links,and anything connected to a bushing like sway bar bushing etc.....new shocks too... same will go for the rear end too (although much less to fuss with).....but I do have to get new rear axel bearings and seals- as they are leaking...

All told, the front end will cost around 400-450 in parts plus shocks, rear should be about 1/2 that....I'm just doing chucks or pieces per paycheck and doing the labor myself.

Motor/drivetrain....just did diablosport tune (which gave it some crispness), replaced all rotors, pads, bleed lines, replaced all belts, pulleys, tensioners too....next up will be all fluids diffsx2, trans, transfer case, motor oil and some fresh wires and plugs....

I should be about a month out from completing the above I figure....the only other outliers are a new windshield and I'd love to rebuild (or replace) the drivers seat..

 

[08HoeCD]

As the the mileage add up and the years pile on or maybe you bought it this way, the ride becomes bumpy, steering becomes loose and the engine a little sluggish. What can we do to restore that new car feel? I just changed both shocks and struts (acDelco) and while that made a difference, steering still feels loose and ride is still a little bumpy. Yeah, I have factory 22s but in the beginning it wasn't a factor. So what would you change?

What model, year and mileage?

 

[Ex Euro Driver]

....I'm in the process of trying to get 'near' to that new car feel as well....my 09 has 202k and while its been quite trouble free, the wear and tear has taken a toll

...as such I'm rebuilding the entire front end....upper and low control arms, ball joints, tie rods, hubs, sway links,and anything connected to a bushing like sway bar bushing etc.....new shocks too... same will go for the rear end too (although much less to fuss with).....but I do have to get new rear axel bearings and seals- as they are leaking...

All told, the front end will cost around 400-450 in parts plus shocks, rear should be about 1/2 that....I'm just doing chucks or pieces per paycheck and doing the labor myself.

Motor/drivetrain....just did diablosport tune (which gave it some crispness), replaced all rotors, pads, bleed lines, replaced all belts, pulleys, tensioners too....next up will be all fluids diffsx2, trans, transfer case, motor oil and some fresh wires and plugs....

I should be about a month out from completing the above I figure....the only other outliers are a new windshield and I'd love to rebuild (or replace) the drivers seat..

All that metel stated above will make your "worn in" vehicle feel new. Replacing all the wear items in the front end will make the steering track better and replacing shocks will give it that sturdiness you felt when new. Mos def a worthy investment.

 

[Ob1hybrid]

Loose steering can be caused by a number of different things. My steering was loose due to bad front sway bar bushings, and pitman arms. Could also be a few other steering components. On the sluggish part, how many miles? Have you considered changing spark plugs?also have you looked into a tune yet?

60k miles. She was tuned recently. When I mentioned sluggish is was just really for general informative purposes. Dunno who in here might benefit from this. But I'll definitely check my bushings. Thanks for the response

 

[Ob1hybrid]

....I'm in the process of trying to get 'near' to that new car feel as well....my 09 has 202k and while its been quite trouble free, the wear and tear has taken a toll

...as such I'm rebuilding the entire front end....upper and low control arms, ball joints, tie rods, hubs, sway links,and anything connected to a bushing like sway bar bushing etc.....new shocks too... same will go for the rear end too (although much less to fuss with).....but I do have to get new rear axel bearings and seals- as they are leaking...

All told, the front end will cost around 400-450 in parts plus shocks, rear should be about 1/2 that....I'm just doing chucks or pieces per paycheck and doing the labor myself.

Motor/drivetrain....just did diablosport tune (which gave it some crispness), replaced all rotors, pads, bleed lines, replaced all belts, pulleys, tensioners too....next up will be all fluids diffsx2, trans, transfer case, motor oil and some fresh wires and plugs....

I should be about a month out from completing the above I figure....the only other outliers are a new windshield and I'd love to rebuild (or replace) the drivers seat..

You just gave me wealth of info. Thanks. Are you using all OEM parts or not. Speaking of driver seats, mines keep making this crunching sound. I must investigate.

 

[Ob1hybrid]

What model, year and mileage?

2013 Yukon Denali Hybrid. 60k.

 

[adventurenali92]

60k miles. She was tuned recently. When I mentioned sluggish is was just really for general informative purposes. Dunno who in here might benefit from this. But I'll definitely check my bushings. Thanks for the response

Yeah his post was excellent^. I see what you mean on sluggish. Always somwthing to look into haha. I've done some of that to my 2006 and will doing most of that over the next few months as I close in on 100k on the odometer. I have new front shocks en route currently. That will improve front end ride tremendously. Spark plugsfor me soon.

 

[AppocAlexx]

depending on budget, start accumulating parts for a full front end rebuild. Anything and everything you can think of. Now that struts are out of the way its easy lol.

 

[Ob1hybrid]

Yeah his post was excellent^. I see what you mean on sluggish. Always somwthing to look into haha. I've done some of that to my 2006 and will doing most of that over the next few months as I close in on 100k on the odometer. I have new front shocks en route currently. That will improve front end ride tremendously. Spark plugsfor me soon.

So you see what I did there lol...there is always something that you don't know that somebody else might know that gives you a lightbulb moment.

 

[Ob1hybrid]

depending on budget, start accumulating parts for a full front end rebuild. Anything and everything you can think of. Now that struts are out of the way its easy lol.

Yessssss. Shocks struts are out the way for now. And I wil follow your advice and just accumulate front end parts. Hopefully I could do full upgrade by fall. Right now I'm in the market for some new tires and I'm broke for now lol.

 

[Marc Marc]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but I also have the same vehicle; a 2013 Denali Hybrid with 93,000 miles and going strong. I also want to know about improving the front shocks, and looking for suggestions? Do I replace OEM, or is there a better option? The surface streets here in SoCal have deep potholes, and I learned the hard way the stock 22's blow out from potholes at the speed limit.

 

[08HoeCD]

Hmmmm.....60k miles is typically not enough to cause a noticeably degraded ride, especially if new shocks are now in place. I wonder if there is anything amiss with bushings or sway bar end links.

 

[adventurenali92]

@Marc Marc , yeah the roads here in SoCal are pretty bad. Although up here in the mountains where I live its way worse. Gnarled ruts and huge divots form the snow plows lol. I rejoice when I go down the mountain and the roads are a lot smoother haha. @Ob1hybrid , yeah there's always something to gain from others. That's what I love about this place!

 

[Ob1hybrid]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but I also have the same vehicle; a 2013 Denali Hybrid with 93,000 miles and going strong. I also want to know about improving the front shocks, and looking for suggestions? Do I replace OEM, or is there a better option? The surface streets here in SoCal have deep potholes, and I learned the hard way the stock 22's blow out from potholes at the speed limit.

My brother!!!!! Lol We have so much to discuss. You couldn't have jacked the thread with a better truck.

So, upon reading the post around here concerning shocks. I noticed almost everyone went either OEM acdelco or Arnott. Further reading, most say arnott is inferior to dealer OEM but is considerably cheaper. I bought 3 shocks from amazon for $750. The dealer wanted $500+ each and they only changed one under warranty because its sensor gave me suspension system warning. So I bought the other 3.

Pep boys offered a whole strut assembly with springs for $200 each so might look at that. And labor there is half off if you purchase parts with them. FYI.

Must admit. These 22s are built strong. No dent yet in New York City streets.

 

[Ob1hybrid]

Hmmmm.....60k miles is typically not enough to cause a noticeably degraded ride, especially if new shocks are now in place. I wonder if there is anything amiss with bushings or sway bar end links.

I said the same thing. It feels like the wheel is loose clunking noise. Strange. The dealer mechanic drove it and recommended changing front struts. So I changed all.

Hopefully WE can figure it out.

 

[Ob1hybrid]

@Marc Marc , yeah the roads here in SoCal are pretty bad. Although up here in the mountains where I live its way worse. Gnarled ruts and huge divots form the snow plows lol. I rejoice when I go down the mountain and the roads are a lot smoother haha. @Ob1hybrid , yeah there's always something to gain from others. That's what I love about this place!

Yesssssss. I love to help others and I'm no stranger to seeking help.

Sound like you guys need 4x4s up in SoCal lol.

 

[metelhead]

I said the same thing. It feels like the wheel is loose clunking noise. Strange. The dealer mechanic drove it and recommended changing front struts. So I changed all.

Hopefully WE can figure it out.

Yeah I agree with Ubervic...somethings amiss....could be Hub bearings...I'd jack her up and put hands at 12 and 6 and feel for wheel movement/sounds...if not..check sway links...but 60k should be just broke in, not broke.

 

[adventurenali92]

Yesssssss. I love to help others and I'm no stranger to seeking help.

Sound like you guys need 4x4s up in SoCal lol.

Well just up here in the mountains in the winter where i lI've lol. The rest of socal doesn't get snow! I've never had a 2WD car hahaha.