The suspension on my 2015 impala is very stiff - i feel every imperfection on the road, and potholes completely rattle me. What specific brand/model struts and springs can i buy to replace the current ones that i can know will soften the ride? I dont care about performance, just a comfortable ride.

130

Asked by CFS22 Mar 19, 2018 at 04:19 PM about the 2015 Chevrolet Impala LS FWD

Question type: Car Customization

The suspension on my 2015 impala is very stiff - i feel every imperfection on the
road, and potholes completely rattle me. What specific struts and springs can i
buy to replace the current ones that i can know will soften the ride? I don't care
about performance, just a comfortable ride.

15 Answers

1,285

how many miles on car how long has it riding hard like this

4 people found this helpful.
130

My car has 13,000 miles. The tires are Firestone Firehawk GT P235/50R18 97H M+S (not sure what all of those numbers mean). I bought the car last November - it was a demo car and it has always rode this way. I was expecting a softer ride from a larger sedan. I guess I had a lot running through my mind when I test drove it and happened to ride down a nearly perfect road. I would like to soften it up. I don't mind a little bounce; it's the jolts and jarring that bothers me. I'm trying to get the biggest results for the least amount of money.

5 people found this helpful.
1,285

STRUTS ARE STILL LIKE NEW COULD HAVE TO DO WITH LOW PROFILE TIRES 50 SERIES TIRE DO GIVE HARDER/STIFFER RIDE BUT ARE RIGHT CAR SHOULD RIDE VERY NICE I WOULD GO SEE DEALER TAKE MECHANIC FOR RIDE SEE WHAT THEY THINK

4 people found this helpful.
130

OK, now I'm wondering if I should attack this by changing the tire size and side wall height? I'm pretty sure I can only go down 1 inch in wheel size. If I do that and get softer tires with taller side walls, would that make more of a difference?

2 people found this helpful.
245

Hi there, Did you ever resolve the issue with your Impala's ride quality? I have the exact same problem with me '14 and am getting to the point where I want to trade it in because of this. Thanks!

5 people found this helpful.
1,285

TRY DROPPING TIRE PRESSURE TO 35 PSI SEE IF YOU NOTICE DIFFERENCE

2 people found this helpful.
130

71 caprice, I ended up replacing the tires and wheels - 235/55R-17 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 ALL SEASON PLUS SL. Even going down an inch and getting a bit better sidewall ratio showed no noticeable difference. I am contemplating getting new front struts and rear shocks...but I think it will be a gamble. The only struts I can find that will fit and possibly soften my impala are KYB Excel G which claim to come tighter than stock, or Monroe Sensatrac. Perhaps there is another kind out there that would work, but I can't seem to find it. SO frustrating. Yeah, I'm almost to the point of trying to trade my in also, but would be would rather fix the problem and keep my car. Obviously the suspension is made some what for performance, but this is not the reason I wanted an Impala. I guess the newer generation wants performance and looks. At my age I just want comfort.

6 people found this helpful.
30

Most people want to stiffen the Impala suspension. I recently drove a 2016 and compared to my Kia Optima EX it was frankly a boat I love the engine performance I love the room inside and the dash layout and I really actually would like one but the backseat was like a limo which is great when you have young kids but mine or teenagers and you know what teenagers use giant back seats for?? And my girls my three girls would always ask to borrow the car. No way Jose they're getting my Optima and I'm getting a new car but I have looked into the Impala and it is far better than anything from Dodge it seems like Dodge Dodges quality materials inside their cars just like back in 1969 so I guess Dodge muscle cars are true to their old siblings they look killer on the outside and they have bus seats or Subway seats inside. I don't know but the Cadillac ct-6 is the exact same platform as the Impala and might have a cushy ride I don't know but there's also the Buick version of the Impala is also based on the Impala platform and you might want to check that out also maybe that's a cushier ride as a matter of fact I think that's going to be your best bet

3 people found this helpful.
50

No one answered the question. How do you soften the ride on a 2015 Impala with 20 inch wheels?

5 people found this helpful.
40

Get a HiPer Strut which are intended for the LaCrosse and slap em on the Impala boom problem solved, shouldn't have any problems with fitment because they're pretty much the same car.

4 people found this helpful.
20

I just bought a 2018 and hate it hate hate it!!! I test drove on smoother roads in a nice area. Never again. Every pothole has thrown my body out of the seat .. different tires nope don't matter! I hate this car. I had it for two weeks. Even the way it shifts sucks ...nothing smooth about this big azz boat. Imposter.

2 people found this helpful.
30

Karim. Is this a suggestion or did you actually do this with succes?

3 people found this helpful.

Hmmm my Impala rides like a boat, wish it was stiffer. 2015 LT Limited. I added strut tower braces and still rides mushy. I have even upgraded tires.

15

I bought my 2018 Impala LT last year with 36K miles on it. It raddles too. Then I once had a chance driving a rented 2019 Impala Premium with only 10K miles. It rides so smooth and comfortable! So there must be something wrong or different. Now I had rear shock absorbers replaced with ACDelco OEM part - exactly same as stock ones. It improved considerablly, I would say by 30-50%. But the issue is still perceivable. I am figuring if I should also replace the front struts. Then I found out the OEM struts have two types, one for 18inch tire and another one for 19 & 20inch tire. The spec on dimension looks same. Does any body know what could be the difference between these two types? Maybe the latter one is designed for a smoother ride due to it's for 19/20 inch tire? I can't remember the 2019 Impala I rented had 18 or 19 tire on it - but more likely 18 as I kind remember it had the same rim as mine. Hope anyone can find some clue for me. I am determined to replace the struts!

1 people found this helpful.
30

So I'm not 100% but I am fairly knowledgeable about the 2007-2012 Impalas. The LS has The FE1 suspension package. The LT has the FE1 or FE2 package and the LTZ/SS have the FE3 package. Wheels range from 16" to 20" if I recall correctly. As far as what changes Tirerods, swaybars, swaybars links and struts. Because each of these cars have the same chassis mounting and come with very different engine weight if you put the FE3 struts on an FE1 car because of the 500-750lbs weight difference it would ride like a track car. So I would take it to a dealer and have them print the installed package sheet for your vin and double check that the correct parts have been installed on the car. I do know that Billstine makes kits for some of these cars. Same guys that do struts for Mercedes and Caddilac. You can also check out the adjustable kits though I caution making the suspension too soft as your breaking, lateral control, acceleration, and steering under adverse conditions will plummet.

3 people found this helpful.

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