Trying to figure out a swaying issue on my girlfriends 4runner. Its an 03 4x4 V-8 with 140k miles. When at speeds over 45mph it feels as if you are driving in a heavy cross wind or like pulling a trailer that isnt tracking straight.Its not continuous but consistently happening. Road conditions dont seem to matter, smooth or rough. The problem is amplified by adding any weight to the rear( passengers, trailer,etc..) It has done it with 2 different sets of tires that are load sufficient so I am ruling them out as the culprit. The factory sway bar, trac bar bushings are in good shape( visually) The shocks seam to be ok although the rebound is very slow( Im only use to my 1 ton diesels for comparison). The problem is not as noticable with the VSC turned off. Just looking for an inexpensive solution to get her through a few more months before she sales the vehicle. Any help would be greatly appriciated. Thanks
03 swaying issues
- Thread starter tjason
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PhotoRunner
New member
I had a similar issue with a 97 Pathfinder that I owned briefly -- because I couldn't figure it out. I would have to think that its suspension related, either shock or springs. Have those ever been replaced on her rig?
eskimochaos
Banned
Lower Ball Joints
Sway Bar Bushings
Steering Rack Slop
All start to age at that mileage.
Sway Bar Bushings
Steering Rack Slop
All start to age at that mileage.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
I'd check the components eskimochaos suggested but I'd first focus on the tires and alignment.
I'd make sure the tires are properly inflated and of reputable brand. Cheap tires can just suck for no apparent reason, even when new. If the tires permit a max inflation of 44psi I'd try them at 40 and see if that helps. If you have two that allow 35 and two that allow 44 I'd put the 44's on the back and try a 35psi/40psi drill.
The other thing is alignment... Even if the wheel is straight and it doesn't pull you can have a bad alignment.
Good luck!
:cheers:
I'd make sure the tires are properly inflated and of reputable brand. Cheap tires can just suck for no apparent reason, even when new. If the tires permit a max inflation of 44psi I'd try them at 40 and see if that helps. If you have two that allow 35 and two that allow 44 I'd put the 44's on the back and try a 35psi/40psi drill.
The other thing is alignment... Even if the wheel is straight and it doesn't pull you can have a bad alignment.
Good luck!
:cheers:
Thanks guys. I will look into it. The steering has zero play and the vehicle tracks straight. When its "swaying" there is no feel of it in the steering wheel.It feels like the rear of the vehicle is going side to side.There is no sign of uneven tread wear. The tires are Dunlop AT20's in a 265/65/17 and take up to 51psi. She said it has done it since she got the vehicle at 100k miles but it has gotten worse as the mileage has increased. I have very little drive time in it so I am limited on personal input. How slow should the rebound be on the oem shocks? From full compression to full extension its taking 10-15 seconds. They are firm on the compression.
The shocks are done. Put a fork in them.
I had the same thing on my Trooper (I know... totally different vehicle... but EXACT same problem). I replaced the shocks with some monotube KYB Monomax shocks and the problem was solved. It was the best $200 I ever spent on that vehicle. It felt like I was driving a different truck after installing them. I sold it shortly thereafter to a guy who was a Trooper aficianado and he said he'd never driven one that was so smooth.
If you can't find KYB's then try out some Bilsteins. They are a great shock and should smooth out the wobbliness.
If you can't find KYB's then try out some Bilsteins. They are a great shock and should smooth out the wobbliness.
Think I found the problem. Removed the lower trailing arm on the right rear 4 link and found that the bolt was worn and had worn the metal sleeve in the bushing. The bolt was loose and I suspect allowed for play to cause this. Replace the bolt with a larger bolt to take up the slack and all is good so far. I cant believe that the 1/16-1/8" of play could cause so much sway but apparently it does.
I'm glad you found the problem. I had an old S-10 and it felt like I was going to swerve off the road when I hit the brakes because the front end got totally loose. It was a similar situation. It turned out that the top bolt on the upper control arm was slightly loose. I took it to a mechanic because I checked everything and had no idea. He put it up on the lift and wiggled the tire and claimed I needed a thousand bucks worth of work. I went to a mechanic down the street instead and he tightened up the two bolts holding the arm and said "Have a nice day". He wouldn't even take pay because he said "all I did was turn 2 bolts!".
I drove out and everything was normal again. It wasn't that they were falling off or anything, they were just slightly loose and a good tightening fixed the problem. You might want to loc-tite it if you didn't. I did that on the arm on my S-10 and never had a problem again. That thing was held together with loc-tite though. What a piece. Haha.
I drove out and everything was normal again. It wasn't that they were falling off or anything, they were just slightly loose and a good tightening fixed the problem. You might want to loc-tite it if you didn't. I did that on the arm on my S-10 and never had a problem again. That thing was held together with loc-tite though. What a piece. Haha.
