NO Squeaks: A True VX Story

[PHO2GR4]

Dear VX Forum,

I never believed these stories were true until one day it happened to me.

My VX, like 101% of all other VXs, never had the quietest ride. There were a plethora of squeaks that would happen under two circumstances:

1) Hitting any bumps, or
2) NOT hitting any bumps.

Well, I am happy to report that my VX no longer squeaks. Let me repeat: NO squeaks. How is this possible?!?

Well, after doing an incredible amount of research...that is to say, reading the posts in this forum...I decided to make a few changes. They are:

- Rancho RS9000 shocks
- OME 913 coil springs
- Energy Suspension greaseable swaybar bushings
- Yokohama Geolandar HT/S G051 275/70/16 tires

My VX is now 3" higher and immeasurably quieter. I'm thinking that the greaseable bushings are the answer. But with the Ranchos at Setting 1, my ride is SO much smoother! It's like driving an alternate-universe VX.

My advice to ALL of you is to at least invest in the Energy Suspension bushings. I don't remember what I paid, but it was like $20-$30 bucks. My GUESS is that the polyurethane-y goodness (plus the tasty grease) is responsible for the decrease in squeakiness.

But the Ranchos are probably helping out, too. I KNOW that they have greatly improved the ride quality.

Photos to come...

[Zorak]

Did you have to crank up the t-bars with those springs?

I was considering the urethane bushings but I read that they tend to wear quickly (even with the grease) and then rattle?

I have the Rancho 9000X shocks and the remote kit but have not installed yet. I have been waiting on the digital remote kit which they announced almost a year ago but which does still not yet seem to be available. Does anybody know whether/where the digital kit can be purchased?

Hard to find a good spot in the VX to mount those gauges/switches although somebody on here, can't remember who, mounted theirs on the fuzzy hole panel which looked pretty good...

[PHO2GR4]

I took the VX in to my local shop...a great place called Group 2 Motorsports. The installed the Yokohamas onto my new AR Teflon Chamber wheels. While it was up, they also installed the new brake lines, shocks, springs and bushings. The torsion bars needed penetrating oil, heat and hammers before finally turning! We got an even 3" lift all around.

And yes...there was some front cladding removed, due to tire rubbing. Not much, and you cannot notice it at all.

Yes, the VX now LOOKS fantastic...but what really amazes me is the improvement in ride quality. At Setting #1, it isn't bouncy, floaty or mushy at all. It just feels smooooooth and quiet.

I never even considered getting the remote for the Ranchos. Too many people have reported problems...and frankly, it's really easy to reach the switches for the shocks, if I ever need to change the settings. I probably WON'T change them, but who knows?

I haven't heard anything negative about polyurethane bushings, or about their longevity. Still, at $20-$30, it's a cheap replacement, and a drastic improvement!

[PHO2GR4]

Forgot to mention: ball joints were flipped too, which made alignment easier.

[Ldub]

And the pics are coming WHEN ???... :p

[PHO2GR4]

After the

- Roof rack install
- WeatherTech window rain guard install
- Psychos2 subwoofer box install
- Vehicross Concepts front skid plate install
- new personalized license plate install
- wash, wax, detail!

But SOON, I hope!

[Ldub]

OK...I'll just wait here. :( ;)