2001 Starting to drive like a Bucket-O-Bolts. What would YOU do?

[David D]

Like the title says, I've got a 2001 Limited 4x4 that has 163K on the clock and it's starting to feel pretty loose. It's got the original shocks (yeah, those were probably toast 100K ago), and I doubt anything else has ever been done to it.

What I'm looking for is a hit list of what should be looked at/replaced and what to replace it with. The truck is strictly street driven daily, so I don't want anything for extreme off-roading, but I do want it to handle as good as possible.

So, what am I looking for besides shocks? Ball joints? A-Arm bushings? Sway bar bushings?

 

[Stick Figure]

i would start by getting under it and inspecting the bushings and joints. Unless you can afford to do everything at once to freshen the whole thing up.

 

[pat161]

I would start with springs and shocks, if you had it w/ lower mileage and liked the ride then just go stock, if not you may end up with a small lift w/ aftermarket springs. If you do new OEM springs w/ Bilstein HD shocks you will see a huge improvement. Then I would do the steering rack bushings, perhaps the tie rod ends and then I would just start replacing bushings as an ongoing project, with poly of course, until you've done therm all. I have done Springs and shocks as well as the steering rack bushings on my 02 and it made a huge difference, I am going after the outer tie rod ends next.

 

[makakio]

Hoping to revive this topic. Same truck. same problem, but only 130k miles.

Just about any rough asphalt I encounter sends BIG vibrations, jolts, and shudders through the entire truck. The rattles and squeaks are all-time and I'm not about to go chasing those down, but the jarring, wallowy, loose, bullshit ride has to end. It needs to handle better folks (after all, it IS my wife's DD).

And given that she still loves it and that it's otherwise in perfect shape we're hoping to take it to 200k before considering new again.

So bearing in mind the purpose of our 4Rs (dry street, dusty street, wet street, snowy street and the rare fire road) please continue to offer recommendations:

I hear a lot of calls for either OEM spring/shock setup, or OEM/Bilstein HD setup.

I am also hearing about steering rack bushings.

Also tie rods. And tie rod ends. And tie rod bushings? Do they all exist as separate parts or are they the same thing? What gets replaced?

Sway bar links? End links? Sway bar disconnect bushings? I'm pretty lost on the subject.

Are there other bushings or mounts that go dead at 130k - 160k miles?

And thank you! Not to hijack your thread David D - hopefully we'll get a few more suggestions.

 

[One_96TR4]

I hear a lot of calls for either OEM spring/shock setup, or OEM/Bilstein HD setup.

I am also hearing about steering rack bushings.

Also tie rods. And tie rod ends. And tie rod bushings? Do they all exist as separate parts or are they the same thing? What gets replaced?

Sway bar links? End links? Sway bar disconnect bushings? I'm pretty lost on the subject.

Are there other bushings or mounts that go dead at 130k - 160k miles?

And thank you! Not to hijack your thread David D - hopefully we'll get a few more suggestions.

Have you mechanic look at the front end. Tie rods inner and outer and the ball joints upper and lower. They can check to see if they need to be replaced. Not very likely. These parts seem to last a long time on these trucks. My 96 is now getting the original ball joints replaced. As for the sloppy bouncy ride just replace the shocks. The springs are probably a bit worn but aren't necessary to replace to get your ride back. If you decide you want to replace the springs checkout sonoransteel.com and get his 99 lift. If your just going to do the shocks I would highly recommend getting set of tokico trekmasters. You can get a set for less than 250 on e-bay. or most online dealers have them for 200-300. Most of your issues with your ride should be greatly improved with new shocks.

 

[David D]

Good suggestions. I just got my truck back from having the rear axle bearings and seals replaced. Had the timing belt and water pump done too while it was at the shop. Like to pull my own wrenches, but those two jobs required more special tools and time than I had available, so I took it to a guy that I know who's really reasonable.

One of the rear bearings was loose and since getting both replaced, the rear feels a little tighter. It had developed a slight "thunk" going over bumps and so I suspect the bearing was the cause. Next step are shocks, then I'll see how it feels.

 

[004Gunner]

One of the rear bearings was loose and since getting both replaced, the rear feels a little tighter. It had developed a slight "thunk" going over bumps and so I suspect the bearing was the cause. Next step are shocks, then I'll see how it feels.

I would definitely replace the shocks and I would highly recommend you replace at least the rear springs. The rear springs are garbage in the 3rd gens (2nd gens too). The bushings in the lateral control rod, or pan hard bar, get worn pretty badly too which contributes to a little bit of slop in the rear.

 

[h2gofast]

check the bushings on the anti-sway bar and sway bar links, when they start to go, the front end can feel loose over pot holes at speed.