Suspension Modification

[dug-mac]

I have a 2007 base XLR and while I've attached the XLR-V rear sway, the softness of the setup is not to my liking. I'm wondering if any of you guys could point me in the right direction to correct this. Will just lowering the car tighten the suspension up? Do I need to replace the shocks as well? I'm also wondering if there is any adjustability in the stock setup in terms of ride height... Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[mtrocket]

Maybe one of these threads will help you:
https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadillac-xlr-technical-discussion/3973-ride-hight-adjustment.html
https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...uestions-about-ride-height-jacking-bolts.html
https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...ussion/5704-raising-front-xlr-up-1-1-5-a.html

 

[dug-mac]

So from your posts it does look like there is adjustability both front and rear. Is the adjustability in the rear via part #50 on the attached schematic?

Image Detail for - SUSPENSION/REAR;

 

[mtrocket]

It looks like it from your post but I'm not 100% sure... I don't have access to my XLR - it's taking it's LONG winter nap. But you could email or PM Monepit or anyone that posted on the threads mentioned above and ask - I'm sure any one of them will tell you.

 

[dug-mac]

Thanks for your help. Can anyone tell me if I could just buy an XLR-V rear spring and attach it to stiffen up the suspension? Can't imagine that it wouldn't fit but maybe someone knows better...

 

[Stella]

What are you trying to accomplish better cornering or does the car squat to much. I put a Z51 sway bar front and rear which is 26mm the stock and v are 17mm. The car cornered good but now it stays level and planted. As for springs ?. Hope this helps

 

[dug-mac]

I have the XLR-V sway bar on my car and the cornering is pretty good and flat. The rear has more bounce than I would like over bumps, however. To me it feels like the spring is too soft. The shocks are fine according to the dealer technician.

 

[Stella]

If you mean when you hit a bump it feels the rear bounces over,or shifts,not planted I no what you mean. I believe it's not that the spring is to soft but completely opposite( hard). If your spring was soft your ride height would be lower, and when you hit bumps it would be spongy. The car weighs nothing in the car world so your gonna get that rebound from the spring but the shocks should control that. Theirs that same feeling in a vette with a tuned rear suspension

 

[dug-mac]

Perhaps you are correct - the spring is firm in relation to the soft shocks. Is this how your car feels, too? Each time I've taken it in to the dealer they always say the shocks are fine. What did you mean about a Vette with a 'tuned suspension'? All Vettes feel this way?

 

[Stella]

To me the car hops when it hits a bump. The car will shift side to side but still be planted on the ground. What the car would need is a softer spring and a stiffer shock I would think. With a vette theirs a lot more after market stuff. You can get aftermarket shocks and spring to accommodate your driving needs. Maybe lowering the car a touch will help? Or even if your running run flats they have very stiff sidewalls that could be causing it. I will be replacing my rims and tires haven't made the decision on run flats or not but have been told its night and day.

 

[hawkeye372]

I think my car had run flats in her "early years". But I guess the 2nd owner decided they were to expensive. Because I think they put on the standard tires. (Non run flats). All I know is you have to take it to a special dealer or tire place to replace ( run flats).


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[mtrocket]

To me the car hops when it hits a bump. The car will shift side to side but still be planted on the ground. What the car would need is a softer spring and a stiffer shock I would think. With a vette theirs a lot more after market stuff. You can get aftermarket shocks and spring to accommodate your driving needs. Maybe lowering the car a touch will help? Or even if your running run flats they have very stiff sidewalls that could be causing it. I will be replacing my rims and tires haven't made the decision on run flats or not but have been told its night and day.

When I went to Canada last year to visit Madmac for a week, we switched cars for a while. He has non-run flats (I have run flats) and I have the rear sway bar installed (he doesn't). I didn't notice much, if any difference between his and mine in terms of handling or road noise. He, on the other hand, a BIG difference in handling and cornering with the rear sway bar installed. So, when I went to purchase new tires, I went with Michelin run flats. Besides not having a noticeable difference between his with non run flats and mine with run flats, I like knowing if I have a flat on the highway going say 80 or so, I will still maintain control over the car and not end up in the barrow pit.