1998 Century is a rough ride....

[reffittm]

I just purchased a used 98 Century with 80,000 miles on it and the Dynaride suspension. The car is great in every aspect except one: it rides rough (rougher than it should) on poorly maintained roads.

Every time I drive over a minor bump or crack on a paved road, the whole front half the car shakes....especially the dashboard. I mean, it's so exaggerated that it feels as though the car is almost bottoming out when I drive over a bump, no matter how slow or fast I go.

On good roads, the car is one of the smoothest ride I have ever had.....I don't get it. HELP!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by reffittm

I just purchased a used 98 Century with 80,000 miles on it and the Dynaride suspension. The car is great in every aspect except one: it rides rough (rougher than it should) on poorly maintained roads.

Every time I drive over a minor bump or crack on a paved road, the whole front half the car shakes....especially the dashboard. I mean, it's so exaggerated that it feels as though the car is almost bottoming out when I drive over a bump, no matter how slow or fast I go.

On good roads, the car is one of the smoothest ride I have ever had.....I don't get it. HELP!

Are you running the original struts or do you know if they were replaced on the car before you bought it? If not with 80K miles, its time for replacement. Aftermarket Monroe Sensa-Trac or Reflex struts work fine on Buicks.

[reffittm]

Thanks. How hard is it to replace the struts? Is it something that I can do? Also, someone also mentioned that it might be the springs, what do you think?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by reffittm

Thanks. How hard is it to replace the struts? Is it something that I can do? Also, someone also mentioned that it might be the springs, what do you think?

With only 80K miles, I seriously doubt the strut coil springs are worn out.
First you have a total of 4 struts, two front, two rear. I would concentrate on replacing the front first based on what you described.

Further, I'd recommend getting a service manual such as a Chiltons or Haynes. It covers the procedure adequately. You will need to rent (Autozone) or buy a strut coil spring compressor.

Basically, you will need to jack up the car and totally remove the complete strut assembly which includes the coil spring. The strut tool is used to compress the spring which will allow swap out of the new strut.

You get to the rear strut top mount via the trunk and removing the padding.

I've done struts on a '97 Pontiac GTP, '99 Regal LS and '02 Olds Alero
and am not a mechanic per se. Shops such as Sears will charge you approximately $100.00 per wheel. $60 per strut and $40 labor.

Plus you will need to have a four point alignment to verify everything just to be safe. Good luck!

[reffittm]

Thanks a ton for the advice....I think I can manage it. I hope this clears up the problem.

[reffittm]

Another quick question...if I do take it in to have all four struts replaced, approximately how much should it cost (including a 4 point alignment)? My concern is that I don't know much about this specific car (1998 Buick Century Custom) and I have read that if it has air or electronic suspension in the rear, it can cost a ton of money. I don't want to take it to a mechanic that might try to rip me off if all it takes is 4 regular struts all the way around, so I'd like to know exactly what I have. Any info would be more than appreciated.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by reffittm

Another quick question...if I do take it in to have all four struts replaced, approximately how much should it cost (including a 4 point alignment)? My concern is that I don't know much about this specific car (1998 Buick Century Custom) and I have read that if it has air or electronic suspension in the rear, it can cost a ton of money. I don't want to take it to a mechanic that might try to rip me off if all it takes is 4 regular struts all the way around, so I'd like to know exactly what I have. Any info would be more than appreciated.

Thats a good question. Of course the cost will vary depending on which part of the country you live in and the shop itself. For example: To do just the front struts at Sears they want $55.00 per front strut (Monroe Sensa-Trac) and about $120.00 labor to include alignment but for the front end only. The rear should be similar in cost but the rear struts are about $47.00 each. Hope the info helps. Whatever you decide, the new struts will make a big difference.