1999 Suspension issues

[thebitz1]

I think this has been addressed in various posts, but I would like to ask the question again.

I just bought a 1999 Limited with 122k miles and the rear suspension seems very loose. I have seen posts that state the 3rd Gen seem to display this while driving.

I had a mechanic tells me the rear shocks are new, but my 4runner rides very loose on uneven ground (especially going over the curb to the driveway)

Are their any suggestions on how to correct this? I am fearful of replacing the rear shocks to only find out that the problem has not been fixed.

 

[slapdappy]

end link bushings? sway bar bushings?

 

[YotaDan]

There is always the possibility that some/all of the upper and lower control arm links have bad bushings.

 

[snivilous]

Loose feeling is a link (control arm) issue since that's what locates the axle. If the shocks were messed up the back end would be more bouncy, but the shocks don't help locate the axle at all.

 

[thebitz1]

It does have some bounce, but it is more side to side movement on uneven road. I will check those areas out. Thanks.

on a scale, how difficult are those fixes?

Additional info - I can easily push down on my bumper to get an easy bounce. Not sure if that falls in line with the control arm issue or not. That is why I initially thought it was rear shocks.

 

[thebitz1]

Looked at bushings last night and the look like they are in decent shape. Is there any way to determine the root cause of the left/right movement of the runner?

 

[MStudt]

Looked at bushings last night and the look like they are in decent shape. Is there any way to determine the root cause of the left/right movement of the runner?

Are they original stock springs? Sometimes a visual inspection isn't going to show you what's going on. You might want to remove a link and see how they look.

 

[Andy in Pa]

If you can push down on the rear of your truck and it actually bounces up/down a few times the shocks are bad, or not sized properly for the application.

Left/right movement in the rear is controlled by the rear track bar, and it also has bushings that can wear out. It is the bar that comes down from the frame on the pass. side, and connects to the axle. Are you feeling any clunking or anything? I would have a friend push on the rear bumper, and lean under the rear end and check to see if any bushings look loose or have excessive play. Also, if your rear sway bar bushings are worn out, it will give you a bit of a "tail wagging the dog" feel over bumps too.

 

[lugnuts]

checked your lower ball joint. bad lower ball joint will cause stability specially with uneven road and hitting pot hole or going up your driveway at 35 mph ... lol