I replaced my shocks and springs with H&R OE sport springs and KYB GR-2 shocks. I still had the stock springs at 355,000 miles. I replaced my bushings and all other worn components. And my car rides horrible. I can feel every last bump or rock on the road and I drive this car over 130miles a day! So my question is... How do you preload a suspension in a car correctly? Most of the threads strongly recommend preloading the suspension but I can't find out how to actually do it. Or maybe it is different problem... Any help is much appreciated.

 

when i mess with my suspension i follow what my chiltons manual says, which is jack all suspension parts to ride height and then torque everthing down.

 

your horrible ride is not an affect of loading your suspension while installing your springs.

you probably have a lot of play in your steering and balljoints that need attention. most likely the rack end bushing. look it up in the faq for the how to thread.

loading the suspension is proper installation step to save your suspension bushings since they are rubber. its also in the helms manual and often overlooked. if youve changed springs, then all bushings must be preloaded.

 

I know that my rack end bushing is bad and it is being shipped to me as we speak. I have checked all of my balljoints and tie rods (I have replaced all but one inner tie rod and one lower ball joint).

I do have a lot of play in my steering because of that rack end bushing and that is making my ride horrible. But I'm complaining about the ride quality on the highway when I'm not having any trouble or noise coming from the rack end bushing. I essentially feel every last bump/rock on the road.

Anyways... From the directions you listed below the goal is to put as much weight as possible on one damper/control arm and tighten everything down?

One thing I overlooked when installing these was properly torqing the nut on the damper shaft. Oops.