Suspension/Ride - what goes bad?

As a car takes on mileage and wears, does the ride (mainly the comfort, feling over bumps, etc) change?

Besides the obvious (leaking shocks which mean they are shot), does anything else in the suspension wear that would decrease the nice cushy ride on a 2001 Olds?

My 2001 Feels The Same Way. I Wonder What's Wrong With It Too. Wonder If It's The Rack And Pinion System.......

mine rides very nice. does anyone know why the steering wheel moves back an fourth though?? i have a 97 and you can move the steering wheel a little bit towards the windshield.

back to the subject, my rear shocks are leaking, but it still rides very smooth. i will be replacing them very soon.

Mine Only Has 34,000 Mi. On It And I Can Feel Every Little Bump And Manhole Cover Really Hard. I'm Stumped. I Hate To Take It To "the Dealer."

Mine Only Has 34,000 Mi. On It And I Can Feel Every Little Bump And Manhole Cover Really Hard. I'm Stumped. I Hate To Take It To "the Dealer."thats terrible, i have 137,000, and it rides like a dream. i want to put some 20's on it, but i know i will lose the ride. :sly: might just leave it stock.

The Aurora was designed with the suspension a blend between the old floating GM "Jet Smooth Ride" which had poor handling characteristics, but a great ride and cushion over bumps. The front suspension is strut supported and the rear has air adjustable shocks. I think it is a good trade off by sacrifing some comfort for handling, although the handling is not great, with a tendency for understeering. As the vehicle ages, it naturally will start to rattle some, squeak some, and the wear on the shocks and struts will create a less comfortable ride. If the struts are not leaking, do not replace them. I replaced the rear air shocks because the right rear was leaking around the seal. MCNU....the movement of the steering wheel is the shaft bearing...mine is bad too, but is a bitch to replace, so I have been putting it off.

The suspension bushings also wear. That can make a huge difference, it loosens up the "tight" feeling the car had when new, along with the tie rod ends loosening up the steering. and the rear alignment.