Looking for softest/most comfortable ride

[jboston701]

Hello, brand new to the roadmaster. I just got a 1995 roadmaster sedan base with dynaride. 105k miles. I bought this car due to a neck injury. The newer cars are too stiff/rough for me.

I'm looking for the most comfortable ride possible. I don't really care about floaty. In a perfect world I wouldn't feel any imperfection in the road. A gentle up and down motion maybe lol. I've researched and read on here but most people are wanting a tighter/better handling suspension.

Did all roadmasters come with the air suspension in the back? Mine has regular shocks in the back, so maybe the PO replaced it. I've read people replace them with regular shocks as they are cheaper. Would the original air suspension be softer/more comfortable? Any recommendations on shock type and brand or any other suspension ideas for a soft easy ride would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MelsRegal]

Have you considered dropping tire pressure 2 lbs from whatever is listed on drivers pillar?

 

[HotZ28]

Welcome to the forums. How many miles on the car? Not all RMS came with air shocks. That was usually reserved for the towing package. The main purpose of the air shocks was to help maintain ride level with various loads. Last year my '96 RMS was beginning to develop a spongy ride @ about 65K miles. I ordered front & rear KYB Excel-G gas shocks (with rebate) so I got all four for about the price of two. The car now rides & handles better than when it was new. It appears the rebate is still good until 3-31-23 from RA. You can find them in the link below. I will also include the code for an additional 5% discount that will help with shipping. After installing, just enjoy sitting on you're sofa while riding down the road!👍

1995 BUICK ROADMASTER 5.7L V8 Shock / Strut | Shop Now at RockAuto

Suspension Parts and More for Your 1995 BUICK ROADMASTER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

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Code: 226494580101273235

Using your discount code is easy! Enter your discount code in the 'How Did You Hear About Us?' box without any other numbers or characters for an additional 5% savings. Discounts cannot be applied to shipping, gift certificates, or to an order once it is marked as shipped.

Your code expires on April 14, 2023, 12:00 Midnight CT, so do not wait!

 

[jboston701]

Have you considered dropping tire pressure 2 lbs from whatever is listed on drivers pillar?

I'm getting new tires for it tomorrow so I can play around with the pressure after that.

 

[jboston701]

Hotz28 thanks for the welcome and info. It had 105k miles on it. I'm thinking the car wasn't taken care of quite as well as I hoped. Might have some front end issues as well. I'll find out tomorrow. I'll definitely take a look at those shocks from RA. thanks!

Any thoughts or experience on how the acdelco or Bilstein compare to the KYB Excel-g?

 

[MelsRegal]

Hotz28 thanks for the welcome and info. It had 105k miles on it. I'm thinking the car wasn't taken care of quite as well as I hoped. Might have some front end issues as well. I'll find out tomorrow. I'll definitely take a look at those shocks from RA. thanks!

Any thoughts or experience on how the acdelco or Bilstein compare to the KYB Excel-g?

Bilstein and soft ride does not equate. They are a performance shock.

 

[jboston701]

Still learning this forum lol. Thanks for the info

 

[HotZ28]

In the upper header to the post, you will see a lot of options to post pics & navigate.

 

[jboston701]

In the upper header to the post, you will see a lot of options to post pics & navigate.
View attachment 42239

Did you buy your RMS new? I wish I new how it rode new so I had something to relate how mine rides now.

I'm also getting some tire rub/binding when the wheel is fully cranked. Makes me wonder if there are other suspension items that need replacing.

 

[MelsRegal]

Did you buy your RMS new? I wish I new how it rode new so I had something to relate how mine rides now.

I'm also getting some tire rub/binding when the wheel is fully cranked. Makes me wonder if there are other suspension items that need replacing.

Do you have the correct size tires on the front?

 

[jboston701]

Do you have the correct size tires on the front?

They are actually 215s instead of 235. So smaller than stock. I just had all 4 tires replaced today. I was told the sway bar links need replaced. So maybe that's the reason.

 

[jboston701]

In the upper header to the post, you will see a lot of options to post pics & navigate.
View attachment 42239

I got all 4 KYB shocks from rock auto. The rear shocks (besides being the most ridiculous removal I've ever experienced in my life hands down) came with what seems to me the wrong hardware for the bottom mount. Maybe I'm missing something? It looks like it's intended for a U shape bracket with 2 bolt holes where I only have a single ear that comes down with one bolt hole. I'm thinking rock auto messed up since several different brands show this same hardware.

The mounting bolt that came with it seems like one solid piece. I can't get the sleeve to move. The old shock bolt doesn't want to come out either.

The first pic is what I got with the new shocks. The second is what I think I need. The others are what my setup looks like. Thanks for any help!

 

[HotZ28]

Some shocks are mounted on the front side of the lower bracket & others are located on the backside, so the mounting bolt is universal. There is nothing wrong with what you have. Did you get any directions of how to install them with the shocks?

1995 Buick Roadmaster LIMITED 4DR SUSPENSION/REAR

Diagram of OEM SUSPENSION/REAR. Contains 13 parts priced between $8.32 and $203.47. Fits 1995 Buick Roadmaster LIMITED 4DR.

www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com

 

[jboston701]

Some shocks are mounted on the front side of the lower bracket & others are located on the backside, so the mounting bolt is universal. There is nothing wrong with you have. Did you get any directions of how to install them with the shocks?

When I put it through the bracket there's not enough threads for the nut. I'll try it again see if I can figure out what I'm doing wrong.

No, no instructions.

 

[HotZ28]

I installed the same shocks & mounting studs on the rear of my '96 RMS in about 15-min without any problems.

 

[jboston701]

I installed the same shocks & mounting studs on the rear of my '96 RMS in about 15-min without any problems.

Wanna come do mine then? Mines a 1995 but I'd guess they are the same. No way anyone is doing this on my car in 15 min with a Jack and Jack stands. The upper bolts were a nightmare to get to.

 

[HotZ28]

I failed to mention, there is NO (0) rust under my car, so it was easy!

 

[jboston701]

So this is what I've got. I can't see a better way to install the bolt. Maybe I'm just not that bright 🤷 but without using the washer or lock washer there's barely any threads sticking out passed the nut. With the lock washer only, the threads don't even come to the top of the nut. That's as tight as my impact would make it. I've always heard you should have at least a few threads passed the nut. The new bolt is definitely a lot shorter than the bolt on the old shock.
I don't know! I've worked on cars many times (just not this one yet) so I wouldn't call myself a novice. But I'm kinda feeling like one lol.

 

[HotZ28]

Nothing wrong with what I see in the last pic? You have a lock washer under the nut & the nut is flush with the threads. That is OK!

 

[jboston701]

Nothing wrong with what I see in the last pic? You have a lock washer under the nut & the nut is flush with the threads. That is OK!

Ok thank you!