[MichaelMurano]

I have just over 3000 miles on my Murano. It's an SE so I expect a harsher ride than an SL. I just recently started noticing that at 55 - 65 mph when hitting a minor pothole or a seam in an overpass or really just any kind of reasonable flaw in the road really throws the vehicle. The only way I can describe it is it's if the rear wheels are being taken out from the car and you're going to roll. My wife was riding with me Saturday and it happened and we both looked at each other uneasily - that noticeable. In my less prosperous days I drove a Ford Escort GT hatchback which was notorious for blowing shocks and when they went bad it was the same type of feel. Kind of like driving on ice.

I'm wondering if my shocks or something could be bad already or maybe some adjustment? Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Gonzo]

Sounds like something went wacko (technical term).... did you look at any of the struts/shocks. If you see fluid leaking then you know the answer. Also look for grease to be "sprayed" around, in the wheel well usually.

Let us know what you find.


I guess I have one more question... has your wife recent driven the MO without you? Nevermind, I'll take a silent response as a yes.

 

[Eric L.]

Did you check that your tire pressure is 33psi all around? The dealership delivers the vehicle with overinflated tires usually.

 

[billy bronco]

I have just over 3000 miles on my Murano. It's an SE so I expect a harsher ride than an SL. I just recently started noticing that at 55 - 65 mph when hitting a minor pothole or a seam in an overpass or really just any kind of reasonable flaw in the road really throws the vehicle. The only way I can describe it is it's if the rear wheels are being taken out from the car and you're going to roll. My wife was riding with me Saturday and it happened and we both looked at each other uneasily - that noticeable. In my less prosperous days I drove a Ford Escort GT hatchback which was notorious for blowing shocks and when they went bad it was the same type of feel. Kind of like driving on ice.

I'm wondering if my shocks or something could be bad already or maybe some adjustment? Any ideas? Thanks.

I have only owned my 2004 SL for a week, has 9K miles. I noticed this same issue the first hour of driving when I hit a rough spot like several pot holes in the road. The back end kinda bounced and skipped to the right like with an old rear wheel drive possi when you give it too much gas over the bumps. I figured its the crappy Goodyear tires.

 

[dmako]

That's one of the reasons I went with the SL.
A firmer suspension is the best on a nice smooth surface, but on real world roads not so good. The SL's suspension has enough play to soak up the bumps in my opinion, and keeps the wheels on the road.

 

[Eric L.]

Hmmm I wonder if this is really a SE vs SL problem. I've driven my SE on bumpy curvy roads (Pacific Coast Hwy, Northern CA) and have not noticed any odd behavior with the rear suspension.

Maybe the rear suspension is out of alignment?

 

[EdMPT]

I've noticed this to some extent in my SE, but really only when I first got the car and more when the roads are wet. The rear suspension is kind of stiff and will get a little unsettled cornering at speed over bumps.
Kris mine would do it on 680 north by the Alum Rock exit before they paved it. There was some concrete expansion joints that would toss the back end around if I was going maybe 70+ around that corner.. I am not so sure at 55-60 though...

 

[zebelkhan]

...mine would do it on 680 north by the Alum Rock exit before they paved it. There was some concrete expansion joints that would toss the back end around if I was going maybe 70+ around that corner..

I drive that exact spot almost two years now. Traffic permitting I try to drive through it as fast as I can (I get a kick out of it!) I must say MO does not perform any less than my Toyota 4-Runner or Honda CRV and I have not felt anything out of ordinary at all.

 

[jaak]

Eric brings up a very good point. I bet the back end's alignment would certainly affect this.

Theres a spot on part of hwy 427 south here in Toronto that's good at triggering this kind of thing. A bump on a curve of a ramp from the collector lanes to the express lanes. My friend's Durango really jumps there and the back end shifts over. My SL takes it pretty well, but you can detect the shift slightly.

I've always thought it was a combination of suspension (not being compliant enough to follow the road quickly) and geometry that made it better or worse.

 

[billy bronco]

That's one of the reasons I went with the SL.
A firmer suspension is the best on a nice smooth surface, but on real world roads not so good. The SL's suspension has enough play to soak up the bumps in my opinion, and keeps the wheels on the road.

As I mentioned, mine is an "SL" and I feel the same deal. Wife has noticed too, once I brought it to her attention. First thing I did was check tire presure. Perhaps 33 is too hard for the rear, it is lighter than the front for sure. Most cars the rear is a few pounds less than the fronts.

 

[mgthe3]

There's no doubt about it, a stiffer rear suspension will give you worse hops the stiffer it is.
I put 1/2 ton helper leafs on a camaro I had to keep the rear from squatting, worked great, but was hell on washboard turns. When I put 12 inch wide tires on the front, I could rip the steering wheel turning into a street and feel the rear hop around the corner, always was impressive to my buddies but extremely scarey to me at speed.

 

[billy bronco]

There's no doubt about it, a stiffer rear suspension will give you worse hops the stiffer it is.
I put 1/2 ton helper leafs on a camaro I had to keep the rear from squatting, worked great, but was hell on washboard turns. When I put 12 inch wide tires on the front, I could rip the steering wheel turning into a street and feel the rear hop around the corner, always was impressive to my buddies but extremely scarey to me at speed.

I'm going to reduce my rears to 30 psi and see what happends

 

[Mr3Putt]

I have just over 3000 miles on my Murano. It's an SE so I expect a harsher ride than an SL. I just recently started noticing that at 55 - 65 mph when hitting a minor pothole or a seam in an overpass or really just any kind of reasonable flaw in the road really throws the vehicle. The only way I can describe it is it's if the rear wheels are being taken out from the car and you're going to roll. My wife was riding with me Saturday and it happened and we both looked at each other uneasily - that noticeable. I'm wondering if my shocks or something could be bad already or maybe some adjustment? Any ideas? Thanks.

I have an SE.
I drive faster than 55-65 almost all of the time.
I live in the pothole capital of the world. (we've won prizes)
I've noticed none of the experiences you've described.

Somethings wrong with your car. Take a test drive in another MO, just to be sure.

Keep us posted.

 

[billy bronco]

Re: Re: Dangerous handling

I have an SE.
I drive faster than 55-65 almost all of the time.
I live in the pothole capital of the world. (we've won prizes)
I've noticed none of the experiences you've described.

Somethings wrong with your car. Take a test drive in another MO, just to be sure.

Keep us posted.

It does not happen all the time. Seems to be when turn and hit rough surface and perhaps accelerating at same time. Its real!

 

[MichaelMurano]

I think something is wrong

Thanks for all the input ! I'll take more if it comes. I don't really think it's because it's an SE versus an SL. In fact I didn't notice this until I got slightly over 3000 miles so maybe something has changed. I don't see any grease or oil leaks so alignment sounds like a good option. I'm getting my first oil change soon and I'll have the dealership look at it. Believe me, this kind of handling is unnacceptable, not a preference thing.

 

[rugiles]

I have an SL and I have had it happen once or twice over the past 1.5 years when real getting into a corner and there is a big expansion joint and a full car of people. I think it has to do with the small travel and not top notch shocks. I can't wait to upgrade the suspension to better take advantage of the powerful engine and grippy tires I had installed.

 

[billy bronco]

I have an SL and I have had it happen once or twice over the past 1.5 years when real getting into a corner and there is a big expansion joint and a full car of people. I think it has to do with the small travel and not top notch shocks. I can't wait to upgrade the suspension to better take advantage of the powerful engine and grippy tires I had installed.

What did you put on it for sneakers?

 

[MichaelMurano]

Went to get it checked out when Bam !

Took the Murano to a local shop I trust just to check it out. They saw moisture on the left rear shock. So I have an appointment at the dealership where I bought it to check it out. Already had an appointment but the night before I was at a stop at a traffic light and was rear ended. Spent a few hours in the emergency room and couldn't make the appointment.

 

[MichaelMurano]

Bad left rear strut

I have an AWD / SE. Finally got it to the dealership yesterday and I have a bad left rear strut. They will replace it under warranty of course. I'm disappointed that they didn't have the part in stock and had to order.

 

[Gonzo]

Image not having a strut for a brand new car in stock... thoose dealers.... they need to stock everything I will need for the MO!