The Suspension

[wazzzzman]

First folks, I have to admit that I am used to driving sports cars. Suspension on them is for the purpose of allowing quick and controlled turns, or as the British call it Bends. Anyway my wife decided to play bumper cars in an intersection and totaled her car. She always wanted a PT-Cruiser, I wanted her to get a new BMW, but she insisted on a Cruiser and that is what she got. It was a straight across payment for what we got for her old car so we ended up with a 2002 turning edition with 50,000 kindly miles on it. Actually the vehicle looks and runs like new and I am impressed. However in driving it last night in a little trip of about 200 miles, the ride was comfortable nice a smooth, but to me it was a lot like I was sitting on top of a spring and was kind of floating from side to side. You know like you took a long spring out of something and put you finger on it and it kind of waffled back and forth some. Well that is what I am feeling from the suspension on the PT. I am trying in my limited way to describe it, maybe not too well but I tried. Does this sound like normal action for a PT or do you think there is something that needs to be adjusted in the suspension. Like I said I am used to very hard stiff cars, which my wife hates by the way as she can’t put on her lipstick when I am driving. Any input and impressions of the ride would be welcome.

[CREWZIN]

No, the PT shouldn't be going down the road wallowing from side to side and there's nothing to adjust.
Sounds like the struts and shocks have worn out. A lot of us changed up to Tokico gas struts and shocks for better performance especially when we lowered the cruiser with a lowering spring kit. You don't have to lower it but the new struts and shocks will give you a better, firmer ride. Here's a link to what we used. You can shop around for better prices.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Tokico Shocks Struts

[bobs turbo pt]

i think crewzin hit the nail on the head!!

[wazzzzman]

Thanks for the help, I thought that was probably the problem, but you know the old way of testing by jumping on the bumper and seeing how it bounced is kind of hard to do these days. It does not seem to over dip when I stop, but then again I make gradual not sudden stops. I checked the link out and will be finding a place to get new ones installed. I like working on my own cars, but suspension is one area I do not like. Thanks