Bouncing 4Runner

[Expat]

I've been holding off on discussing this, thinking it may just be.....ummm.....errrr......something that might go away........but its not........ :rant:

I bought my 04 new in April. My wife drove it for 3 months until I return to the States from o/s.

Now I drive the Runner all the time. On the freeways this truck sucks for comfort.

I don't know whether it's the bad road surfaces here in LA, bad alignment, bad tyres or what....but the damn thing gets a right bit bouncy like driving over corrugated iron. It sets a vibration going in the truck which I find very uncomfortable.

Is this experience of other LA drivers, or should I be investigating this further.

I have owned several Runners in the past which were heavy on suspension but I would have expected the modern setup to be more compliant that what I feel coming thru the bodywork presently.

Thanks for any insights.

Mark

 

[rando]

I haven't noticed anything like that. The ride is smooth and stable.

 

[tkr128]

To me, it's noticeably bouncy over rough freeways, at least more so than regular cars. On smooth/new pavement, the ride is smooth and comfortable. I prefer the 10 east of the 605 when I'm commuting because it's a bit smoother than the 60. I don't have any vibrations going throughout the cabin though.

 

[the_josh]

the 4runner is the smoothest riding suv ive ever been in, im %100 happy! my mom all the time asks to use my car because its pure luxury compared to her grand cherokee limited...

 

[Thai]

Which 4runner generation did you have before (what year)??

Well, technically speaking, the new 4runner's suspension is still heavy duty just like the previous generations (independent in the front, solid axle in the rear).

When compared to the 2nd gen 4runner, the 3rd & 4th gen 4runners have coil spring independent front suspension (IFS), instead of torsion bar IFS. This change results in smoother ride and handling.

However, between 3rd gen and 4th gen 4runners, there's not much change. The significant change affecting ride comfort is that the 4th gen is much bigger (longer wheelbase). Sport Edition in the 4th gen also has XREAS which improves handling.

I WOULD CHECK TIRE PRESSURE on all your tires...make sure that it's within factory recommendations. This should be your FIRST check.

The second thing...which 4runner model do you have?? If you have the SE's XREAS system, then it may be your shocks. XREAS shocks are firmer than standard shocks because they are high-pressure monotube shocks.

Again, check your tire pressure! Hopefully, this is the main culprit to your complaint.

 

[BlueGP]

If you have the stock Dunlop tires, I was having problems like that and it ended up that the tires were out of round and the dealership replaced them with a nice new set of Michlens

 

[Kanab]

I bet it's the tires "dunlops" if you have good tires "michelins" then lower the air pressure to 32 psi's. My 4runner rides great on all surfaces with michelins and 35 psi's. It rides like a luxury car compared to my 95 Landcruiser

 

[Mark86]

I have not noticed any bouncing here. I have the Dunlop's, but with the X-REAS. I drove my mom's X5 for the week because I needed a navigation and she had my truck and she didn't complain of any bouncing either. I took my truck on the same roads as I took hers and it felt the same. When I frist read the post, the same thing came to my mind as what Thai mentioned.

 

[kglueck]

I took mine in for an alignment and they were "helpful" and checked/aired up the tire pressure. they added 2.5psi to each tire giving it 34.5psi. I drove away and immediately noticed it felt bouncy and handled MUCH differently. Got home, checked the pressure, aired them back down to 32psi (which mind you, I had done that morning before I took it in for the alignment) and it was back to normal. I have an 04 limited w/ xreas.

 

[Cliff s]

"I don't know whether it's the bad road surfaces here in LA."

I-10 east of LA is terrible, at least the
last time I drove over it. Even the newer
part is rough. I-210 is a little better, but
not real smooth. Here in AZ, they repaved
the concrete with a rubberized asphalt
that is quieter and a whole lot smoother.


I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee for 10 years
and the new T4R is a lot smoother and
many times quieter.

Cliff s

 

[Good Times]

Please check your tires. I bet they're set at 50+ PSI!! Bring it down ALOT and you'll feel a significant difference.

If the tires are not set for some god forsaken extreme psi then you gotta realize that it's a truck with a solid axle in the rear which means it's a truck and not a sports sedan. Even with the addition of the xreas setup this doesn't mean you're a sports sedan.

On a side note, sounds like we all are around eachother Wouldn't be surprised if we see eachother on the fleeways!

Good luck

 

[choyak]

I have been seeing more and more 4th gens out there, perhaps one of them was one of you. Everyday I can be found on beach blvd. going to HB