2000 SLE suspension

Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, SSEi, Buick Le Sabre 00-05 and Buick Park Avenue 97-05. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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Bonneville'sRock
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Posts: 41
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:00 pm
Year and Trim: 1995 Bonneville SE
2000 Bonneville SLE
Location: NE Iowa

2000 SLE suspension

Post by Bonneville'sRock »

I have a 2000 SLE with 145k on it. I replaced the rear shocks (air) less than a year ago. The rest of the suspension seems to be getting tired. I'd like some advise on what parts I should replace to get the "ride" back? Thanks,
Greg
redzmonte
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Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:21 am
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEI

Re: 2000 SLE suspension

Post by redzmonte »

have the ball joints and tie rods checked. other then that its all bushings and front struts.. match the fronts to the rears. Check out rockauto.com and search here for 5% off cupon code.

Monroe are soft
KYB are firmer
AC Delco are stock
Shane "RedZMonte"
2004 Z16 Z06: Virgin
2000 SSEi: Kenwood DDX512, 3.25" MPS, ZZP DP, PLog, Puck Mount, NGK TR7's, DHP Tuned
1995 Monte Z34: T04e "60" turbo, 42.5# injectors, Borla Catback, OBDII swap, DHP Tuned, Much more...
Bonneville'sRock
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 41
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:00 pm
Year and Trim: 1995 Bonneville SE
2000 Bonneville SLE
Location: NE Iowa

Re: 2000 SLE suspension

Post by Bonneville'sRock »

Are stock sway bar bushings good enough or is there a better choice? From what I've been reading Monroe Sensa Trac struts raise the level of the car and are a rough ride??? if this is true is it best to go with stock AC Delco? Should springs be replaced?
Ken_W
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Year and Trim: 2000 SSEi
Location: Lake Orion, MI

Re: 2000 SLE suspension

Post by Ken_W »

I know what you mean... my 2000 SSEi feels "loose" all over, even though I've replaced most of the mechanical parts. I've been told by a couple mechanics that the large "body mount" bushings are ready for replacement. There's six in the front and four in the rear. It's kind of a big job, so I've been putting it off.

Definitely want to check everything else first though -- tie rods, hubs, stabilizer bar, struts, shocks, alignment, tire balance, etc.

Ken
2000 SSEi "Gypssei" - 206k miles - Light Bronzemist Metallic - stock
1999 Grand Am GT - 168k miles - Red - stock DEAD -- transmission died
2004 Pontiac Montana Ext 2WD - 207k miles - Blue Black Metallic - stock
Bonneville'sRock
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 41
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:00 pm
Year and Trim: 1995 Bonneville SE
2000 Bonneville SLE
Location: NE Iowa

Re: 2000 SLE suspension

Post by Bonneville'sRock »

Had my mechanic check suspension and everything is tight.....(car jumps sideways when going over rough road)....mechanic said problem has to be the struts.....does anyone have a recommendation for a good quality strut/spring combination that gets me back to an original ride? My mechanic recommended an economy grade strut?...said Monroe are too stiff.
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nos4blood70
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Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: 2000 SLE suspension

Post by nos4blood70 »

I put Monroes on my car and they feel IDENTICAL to stock.
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 250k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
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