jime

We purchased this 2009 CMBS RL in Feb. 2010 with 8,100 miles as an “Acura Executive Car”. It was one of three that came from Acura’s Torrance, CA headquarters and was classified as a “Demo” car as it had never been sold.

I took it on a short test drive and the suspension seemed stiff, but the salesman said it was the bad road. However it became quickly evident that this car had an extremely stiff suspension and it was much tighter than my 2004 TL 6MT with a “sports” suspension.

I suspect that the car has some sort of special suspension set-up and was wondering if there was any way I could tell. I know I could perform a comparison test by driving another 2009/2010 RL, but I haven’t seen any at our local Acura dealers.

Thanks in advance

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

simply looking at the shocks will give you some clue.

are they factory black?
or are they a different color?

oo7spy

You should be able to find a part number on one of the struts.

neuronbob

I doubt that Acura would have modded one of its corporate CMBS cars with an A-Spec suspension. The struts have the appropriate part numbers.

jime

Thanks for the information. And I think the A-spec mod might be a possibility if the executive requested it.

I am going to try to find the part number on the struts this weekend. Can anyone tell me where the part numbers are located on the struts?

Thanks, jime

037

check the tires, if they are not touring, that could help explain it. I know when I got Continentals my ride got softer.

I don't think anyone would mod an 09 RL with A-Specs but if you're curious and don't want to lift the car, just measure the height and see how much off the ground you are.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Chas2

Technically, the 09 is an MMC, and the A-Spec suspension was NA for that car, since one of the MMC mods was upgraded suspension.

For the 06-08, pre MMC, but potentially equipped with CMBS/ACC, those cars were officially NA for the A-Spec suspension. The reasoning was never stated, although a clue can be found in the Owners Manual that says do not modify suspension of cars with CMBS (presumably because it can potentially affect aim geometry of the radar.

The other reason could be the bundled Michelin PAX tires which were considerably heavier than stock wheels. The rear suspension of CMBS and PAX cars was modified, tuned to the 75 lb each PAX wheel tire unit...this can be found by perusing part numbers in the catalogs, where 06-08 CMBS PAX cars have different part numbers for the rear shocks. How those rear units are tuned is not documented, although there have been internet threads saying the rears were slightly softer.

I do not know if anyone has actually put A-Spec suspension on the 09. I do not recall a thread where someone has....

You should go through the suspension part numbers between the 06-08 and the 09 and see what the part numbers yield. If the interfaces are the same, then the A-Spec springs and shocks would probably would fit.I would guess they would fit, but you have to do your homework before you make an expensive mistake.

Another clue might be looking at part numbers for aftermarket shocks like Tein, to see if their KB1 suspension parts also fit the KB2 chassis.

Let us know what you find...

037

the springs for 09 + are stiffer than those for 05-08 but the same H&R springs fit both 2G and 2 MMC just fine. I don't know about the shocks but if I had to guess they're the same.

jime

My suspension is stock - at least the front struts have the stock part number on them, so I assume that everything else is stock.

Thanks to all who helped me resolve this issue, especially Heavy RL with the pictures that showed where the part number was located. I have been curious about the suspension since purchasing the car in February of 2010.

I had a 95 Legend Coupe for 8 years, and my wife drove a 98 RL for 10 years. Both cars had a very comfortable ride. I am disappointed in the stiffness of the ride in our 2009 RL and am surprised that Acura has gone so far to improve the handling of the RL that they have made the ride so harsh.

The car has Michelin MXV tires that I purchased soon after buying the car because they were rated the highest in driving comfort (tire rack) for any of the "W" speed rated tires that are "required" for this model. I keep them about 3 lbs under inflated in an attempt to smooth out the ride. I run "H" rated tires on my TL and will change over to "H" rated tires when these MXVs wear out. I know from having "W" rated tires on the TL that the "H" rated tires will improve the ride somewhat.

Soon after we purchased the car I considered purchasing adjustable shocks to soften the ride, but my wife (her car) was not in favor of changing anything on the car. Fortunately this car is not my daily driver.

As a side note I thought, like 037, about using the height of the car to determine if it had been lowered. I measured the height at a few key locations and thought I would compare it to other RLs when I had the RL's oil changed at the dealer yesterday. But the new Fremont, CA Acura dealership didn't have a single RL, new or used, on the lot.

Again, thanks to all who helped .

oo7spy

Thank you. After hearing multiple people bitch about the RL's suspension being too soft, it is great to hear someone who appreciates it for what it is, a luxury sedan. It's too bad that it is stiffer than you please, but I'm glad to know there are people out there who actually WANT the plush ride.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

i love the "plush" ride.

if i want bruised kidneys I'll drive my lifted yota