Suspension issue

[nickmil]

I have a ’09 Rogue SL AWD, bought new 3.5 years ago.

I’ve always had a feeling that the rear end is much more bouncy and shaky than the other Rogues I drove, or rode in. Dealer/service department could never find anything wrong with suspension. I guess only leaking or physically damaged shocks are candidates for replacement.

I’ve noticed one strange thing. Every time I bring the car in, for this issue, after I pick-it up, it rides so much better, for the next 10 miles or so. The car absorbs many more bumps, and the ride is more composed.

I know that they always lift the car up, to check suspension and this is going to extend the springs (slightly) and, I think, more importantly, shocks.

I discussed this with the dealership service department on my follow-up visit, and only got a comment from a technician, that it is most likely the shock’s piston taking time to make a new “groove” in the cylinder. So, after these 10 miles, I guess I’m back to my weak shocks, and rough bouncy and shaky ride.

Does this sound reasonable? Would this experience point to shocks as the likely issue?

How hard is it to replace rear shocks; is that something a beginner could do?

Thanks!

Nick

[ImStricken06]

ok thats a new one: "it is most likely the shock’s piston taking time to make a new “groove” in the cylinder"

if a piston is making a groove in a cylinder then the fluid or gas that's above or below the piston is going to escape through that grove onto the other side = THUS RENDERING THE STRUT/SHOCK 'USELESS'. because its compression/dampening or expansion rate would be changed dramatically.

please take your car to another dealer/mechanic.

[nickmil]

I've been to two non-Nissan, supposedly, good mechanics. They did test-drive the car and visually checked the suspension. They do agree that the ride is bouncy/bumpy, but they are not familiar with Rogue, to know if it's normal or not.

For shocks they just said that they are not leaking, and I could replace them if I wanted to. Well, that much I knew even before going to them.

Do you think that my symptoms might be shock related?

Has anyone heard of a similar thing, when the car rides better, for a while, after being lifted? To me, it looks like springs and shocks are the only things that could be affected, by lifting the car. The car is not sagging, wheel-arch height is correct, according to service manual, so I suspect springs are fine.

I think I might just buy the shocks and replace them myself. They are not too expensive, and hopefully a not-too-hard DIY job.

[ImStricken06]

I wouldnt do it if you dont k ow what your doing as you could really hurt yourself. You will need a strut/spring compressor tool and to lift the car

[Rogue One]

Here's a similar tread with comments on replacing the shocks anybody-change-the-suspension-t558154.html

[casperfun]

I have a 3 and a half year Rogue. Usually drive the vehicle, but after a long trip I sat in the rear seats and my first impression was it was more shaky and I felt more vibrations from the road. Personally, I take this as normal and happy that I am in the drivers seat where it is not as bad.

I felt it was normal since it was not a higher end vehicle and remember it seems like the hatch is open when it rains or sounds that way. Hence, I don't think the Rogue would keep the outside environment with all the sounds and vibrations of the road as efficient as a luxury vehicle.

I put some extra layers of bench seat covers and an extra seat cushion I had lying around on top of the rear seats to make the back more comfortable. You can also try to follow the inflation recommendation to get the best ride.

I personally like inflating between the recommendation and the maximum sidewall inflation to get better mileage.

[nickmil]

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can replace the shocks myself or bring it in to mechanic to do it.

I won't be touching the struts though, and so far there are no issues with the front end.

I'll update this thread when I have some new info.

[Rogue One]

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can replace the shocks myself or bring it in to mechanic to do it.

I won't be touching the struts though, and so far there are no issues with the front end.

I'll update this thread when I have some new info.

Well? It's been a good 8 months now... What's the update?