Soften ride

[istoyanov]

Hi, I am driving now for third year ST FR on 18" wheels. This year I noticed car is softer. It swings. When go through bumps there are 2-3 additional movements up and down. Looking at dampers - no visible oil leakage.
Shared this with local service - without leakage we won't so anythind. So it is just a personal feeling or there is somebody else sharing same thoughts?

 

[trucker0werner]

Dampers are working fine.
Only thing I found out with my previous car. Was when I replaced the rear dampers after 60.000km it was a world of difference. Additional movements after bump are completly gone.
After replacing the front dampers there was actually no difference in ride feeling.
Did it only because i can do it myself. Else I would leave it labor is not worth the benefit of the new damper.
Original damper if it is not leaking it is fine indeed.

It is not only the damper that can change the ride feeling. Over time the rubbers of the suspension can soften as well.
Meaning in worsed case you need to change more for more ferm ride like you have with a new car.

My leon is 3months old previous car was 6years old. But only the additional movements is the difference.

If you mentioned that you want both rear dampers replaced every company will do it. Customer is king and if he wants is it should be possible to do. To be honest in the past I was the same, no need to replace it, till the moment I did on my previous car.
What you say with 2-3 additional movements that is an indication for replacing the dampers. The worn out ones can still go for several years. But if prefer the handling like 4years ago just replace the rear ones

 

[istoyanov]

Softer ride for daily use in the city is completely fine. Except the additional moves.
But country road, highway- there is where is uncomfortable! Just yesterday there was a pretty big hole. I avoided it. The feeling was very bad.
I will try push the dealer replace them on my next oil maintenance!

 

[BoomerBoom]

Vibration from holes and bumps is the wheel rebounding and not being damped, or worn mounts allowing too much play.

Changing the rear dampers is reasonably cheap, compared to the front, worth trying with the dealer or paying yourself. It made the world of difference in a previous VW I had, the ride was horrible before but no evidence of the failure in leaks etc.

Edit. Also factor in tyres, if you've just changed tyres then remember that the sidewall stiffness can make a huge difference in vibration and ride quality.