I have an 05 SL and it rides terrible in my opinion. I've replaced the struts with stock ones and I even replaced the rears with 7 way rancho adjustable shocks. Replaced all the bushing etc. and it just plain rides terrible. It wants to jump lanes anytime I hit a bump. I love the car except for that. I've considered selling it an getting a newer model to see if they ride better. BTW I also have air bags and they make it ride even worse but I use them when I trailer my motorcycle it doesn't pull down the rear otherwise I leave them empty with no air.
Tires are only 6 months old and I cant remember the brand, every suspension part and I mean every part has been replaced front to rear. I've had 3 4 wheel alignments done and it's always perfect. Tread dirt pattern is perfect and I have the least amount of air pressure before having that annoying beep go off! Which I cant remember what that is.
My opinion is the spring rate is too high for the weight of the vehicle. I've added a few hundred pounds in the rear and that makes a huge difference in ride but it still sucks in my opinion.
If I adjust the rear shocks on the lowest setting then I get the rear bouncing, If I go full stiff it rides really bad and jarring so I found 3 of 7 setting the best. I was at one point going to scale the car and get the weight of all 4 corners both sprung and unsprung and get springs made for it but I got sick of spending money and just drive it.
BTW, I've been a mechanic for 35 years and have restored cars for 14 so I do know a little about this stuff but obviously not enough! Or I'm old enough now I want a plush ride - maybe a little of both...
BTW, removing the sway bars wont effect the ride quality too much but it will lean when turning and can be very dangerous in a panic or hard turn - not recommended.
Air bags will just stiffen up an already stiff suspension - not recommended for a better ride.
I have a 07 SL. Its handling seems to be fine right now but i feel the ride should be alot smoother for a vehicle this size. Im figuring that removing the sway bar should smooth out the ride since it will truely have 4 wheel independent suspension. When a sway bar is used, it limits the movement of 1 side since its attached to the other side. Sway bars are good for sharp turns to reduce body roll but im not looking to drive this thing like its on a race track.
Hi
I bought a 2005 mo and having used it for about a month now have noticed how noisy the ride is front passenger side rumble and rear is not smooth.
I had a Lexus rx 300 2001 with 130 thou on it a lot quieter is this a common problem with first gen Mo s
Stuart
A Murano is not built with the emphasis on quiet that an RX 300 is. That said, if you're getting noise from the right front, I suggest you have the hub/bearing checked on that side. They do fail sometimes, and they make noise when they get rough.
Mine is an '11 and at 55k miles, is in need of new shocks I think but the ride is very smooth and luxury like. Maybe earlier models had a more sporty suspension?
I don't think so. The OP has an 05 so it could well be riding on worn out shocks, but other than wind noise or bad mounts, it shouldn't be outright noisy. I'm guessing a hub is the cause of noise, as my 07 is a pretty quiet vehicle. It could also be a bad motor mount that's allowing the engine to torque over and cause noise - any shop should be able to spot that if they're asked to check it.
But it's not a Lexus and was never designed to be one.
Thanks for help
The noise or Rumble I described is not constant only when i go over a pot hole,the council need to spend money on road repairs in the uk,hence the left hand side being the passenger side on my Mo
But you are correct will take in to get checked out at the gararge
Was reading the original post, the first thing that came to mind is exactly what Pilgrim said in his first post.
According to the given description, tires play a huge role in this. If all suspension components are good, then tires would be the first suspect on my list. Even if they are brand new... they can have stiff sidewall and transmit all road imperfection to the steering system and make the car wander. Also the sound of every little bump would feel louder with lower quality tires.
Never tried without sway bar but in my humble opinion, it will only makes the problem even worst.
Some observations. I have tried disconnecting the front sway bar links, after finding one was very loose and making noise. Yes it did ride somewhat better, obviously only when ONE front wheel hit a rough part. but overall, it leaned too much obviously and threw the vehicle more into neutral steer rather than the understeer that is standard.
As far as the Lexus comparison, I have access to the RX-350 from a relative and drove both extensively back to back, and some observations are in order. Noise wise, my 06SL is actually quieter in some situations, but a bit louder in other situations. So it is not a black or white issue. Same with ride quality. MY Murano feels smoother and more relaxing than the lexus I borrowed in some situations an d less so in other situations.
The lexus DID NOT handle as well in most all situations,and in fact felt much more loose, and less connected. The lexus appeared to be a bit softer in absorbing actual "Bumps and holes" and stuff, but actually firmer and shakier on simply undulating roads and on smooth roads.
They are hard to compare actually. The lexus is quieter over bumps and rough roads, but louder on smooth roads of certain textures. There was no clear cut winner honestly.
The lexus, appears to have ( just my guess) stiffer shocks, but softer spring rates, and bushings maybe. It is jumpier on undulating and wavy roads, but absorbs bumps better. It felt like a car with tires with softer tires,or less air in them feels. The murano on bumps and really rough roads, felt a bit oversprung, like it was banging a bit too much.
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