Bucket of Bolts

[Maritimer]

That's what it feels like I'm driving.

Had the wife and two kids in the Runner today to go for a picnic. There was the usual amount of gear in the back--enough to fit under the tonneau cover--and none of it too heavy.

Driving on these bumpy-ass secondary roads felt like I was in bumper cars. My body is still vibrating.

My front sway bar bushings are crap and I'm changing them tomorrow, but I want to figure out how much that can shake things up--just ONE piece of rubber.

I expect a tight ride, not a vibrating ride. It was bumping on the cones in the rear springs a bit too much as well--at least 6-7 times during the ride, and I never felt like that the past year.

I had new KYB gas shocks put in just two weeks ago, and new rear springs. It doesn't look like anything is amiss underneath except the sway bar bushing, but I can't stand this ride, and I can't afford to spend anymore money on this rig like this.

PLEASE HELP ME with some advice!

 

[Hepar]

Is this a new feeling or has this been going on for some time?

 

[Maritimer]

It was really crappy a few weeks ago--it would bounce all over the place, and then the new shocks and springs tightened it up. Then the bushing started to slip out. It has good response now--it won't bounce when I jump up and down on the bumper, just go down and damp everything on the return--but it rattles something terrible on the rough roads.

This seems to be in sync with the sway bar bushing deterioration, and mostly it's a jarring steering column, lots of washing machine on spin cycle feel, but I can't believe it would all be the result of one bushing. I'll know tomorrow when I swap them out, but this type of stuff worries me since I like to keep my baby in tip-top shape and can't afford an endless money pit.

 

[Hepar]

How many miles are on it? The tie rods might be something to look at.

 

[Maritimer]

How many miles are on it? The tie rods might be something to look at.

It's got almost 130,000 miles. I'll do anything not too expensive to get it feeling right. What about the LBJ everyone is always talking about?

 

[THEREALTOR1]

What air pressure you running?

 

[Hepar]

It's got almost 130,000 miles. I'll do anything not too expensive to get it feeling right. What about the LBJ everyone is always talking about?

From my understanding there isn't much warning before an LBJ goes. I could be wrong though.

 

[brian2sun]

What kind of rear springs did you put in? Are the KYB gas shocks adjustable? I really don't think that sway bar bushing is going to make any difference, but it sounds like you need to replace it anyways so it won't hurt.

 

[IanB]

What air pressure you running?

Depending on the tires your running, this can make a huge difference in ride quality, and "shudder" over bumps that is transferred to the body of the truck.:

 

[Blanco]

As I mentioned on your previous sway bar post, I recently replaced my sway bar end links and bushings (which were completely mashed) but I honestly haven't noticed any significant difference in the way the ride feels as a result - I suppose I expected things to feel much 'tighter' up front.

I'm running Toyo Open Country 265/75/16s and though they perform well overalll, I'm not liking the ride all that much. I've been playing around with my the tire pressure a bit (keeping it on the higher side) to try and improve the ride with some success.

By the way, IanB - I LOVE your Hilux!

 

[BrianSD_42]

* the front sway bar will make noise - this is the case for a lot of 3rd Gens. Mine is removed currently.

* expect at some point in the vehicles life to replace the steering rack and also put in poly steering bushings. this will make a huge difference.

 

[JohnsD90]

My moms disco had lik 41 psi in her tires and the car would shake like crazy over bumps, i lowered it down to 34psi and it all went away.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

As I mentioned on your previous sway bar post, I recently replaced my sway bar end links and bushings (which were completely mashed) but I honestly haven't noticed any significant difference in the way the ride feels as a result - I suppose I expected things to feel much 'tighter' up front.

I just did my front and back sb bushings along with the endlink bushings all from the ES poly front/back kit, and you're right, there's really no life altering difference. I feel a little bit more of a stiffer ride with the poly's -vs- the factory rubbers, but other than that, no real difference in handling. Didn't really have real high hopes for $30 worth of bushings changing an SUV into a porsche anyway so no real suprises in my mind.

 

[Maritimer]

OK, for an update. And thank you for the input everyone, as it is much appreciated: CLAP CLAP.

I got the bushings and ended up having to go to the shop because the bolts were seized and there was no way I could get them off, broken or otherwise, with my tools and PB Blaster and Nut Buster.

The right bushing was basically out, so there was lots of room for the bar to play, and apparently this was the source of the steering wheel rattle and vibration. It didn't help that we were driving on some of the worst paved road in North America, but after three hours of driving that lack of rubber had my nerves rattled as well.

I still want to improve things in the way of rubber and whatnot, so I'll read up as much as possible on ways to tighten up the ride. I don't mind bumping and banging, just not the kind that feels mechanically wrong. A sore ass versus sore hands from holding a vibrator all day are kind of different.


I believe (forgive my ignorance) these are the springs I got:
1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner Coil Springs - Moog 81043 - Rear Suspension

As I understand these may allow for the rubber cone to hit more on severe bumps but they will generally keep things stiff and level (and probably rough).

As to tire pressure, I'm running them at 32, which is what Firestone put in them when I got my tires installed. Actually, I should check them again just to make sure, since they probably made sure they were exact when I got them balanced last week. In any event, it's sure to be the exact recommended pressure or less.

My shocks aren't adjustable, although they are supposed to be "smart" shocks that work themselves into the way the vehicle weighs and behaves.


Basically I had a pleasurable afternoon after stressing out last night. I retraced parts of yesterday's ride and enjoyed the nicer ride. It's still a bit beyond me how much that rubber affected things. In any event, it exemplifies that I worry too much about my truck. I guess that's alright, though, since if I take care of it, it'll take care of me and my family.





.

 

[Maritimer]

Somehow that lack of a bushing was shaking the steering wheel way too much. It just translated into feeling the vehicle wasn't right.


What I can say from the past week is that I can't stop driving the Runner these days. With everything feeling tight again I can enjoy the new shocks and springs and wow do I enjoy cruising in my baby.

I revisited one of those bumps that let me hit the cones inside the springs and it's actually brutal. It's a graveled road repair area waiting for work and paving. Cars slow down to a 5mph crawl, and I believe I hit it at 40mph.

 

[trulli3300]

Those Open Country

I'm running Toyo Open Country 265/75/16s and though they perform well overalll, I'm not liking the ride all that much. I've been playing around with my the tire pressure a bit (keeping it on the higher side) to try and improve the ride with some success.

The guy at Belle Tire convinced me to get the Open Country for my T4R. That week, I busted a rear shock. Later that month, I busted a front sway bar end link. Later the other end link. All of this happened within six weeks. I ended replacing the struts, shock, and springs on both ends. These tires are HARD! I think they are originally designed for heavy pick-up trucks. When under-inflated, they transmit the bumps harshly through the chasis. When over-inflated, you sense that they are bouncing off of the ground when you hit bumps(big and small). My best advice with these tires is to keep them at 32psi as required by the 4runner. The shocks and springs do better at absorbing the bumps. You'll know when they are at 30psi or lower just by driving. I would have gotten rid of them but they have lasted more than 3 years now. When they wear, I'll go back to the Geolander HT/S II that I had before. They were quiet and smooth, like a car.

 

[Blanco]

Good to hear from someone else running the Toyos. They've got a stiff sidewall and like I said, they perform okay for the most part and look pretty good but yeah, I'm ready to part with them. Thankfully, they haven't taken their toll on my struts and the like. I liked the Michelin LTXs I had before a lot more but up here they're well over $200.00 a tire! I'm thinking of getting some Coopers or Geolanders, not sure yet.