Float after Bilstein's

[tford630]

Hey all, looking for some advice on the handling for my '10 Trail (no KDSS) after I installed bilstein ride height adjustables a few weeks ago. They are set at 1.75" with stock springs and the driver has an additional 3/8" spacer to account for driver side lean.

My issue is that the float in the highway is TERRIBLE. I've driven everything from Ford Fusions to F-250's and a crap 2002 Explorer and they all were superior in this instance. It was bad before which is why I got bilsteins. The bilsteins are actually worse than my oem shocks that were 120k miles old. I also got a front end alignment afterwards even though it wasn't necessary because I did not disconnect the lower control arm. A possible problem is that when I got an alignment my steering wheel was off about 5 degrees, so it's possible that they did not do a good job and it's causing the issue. I also have a slight positive camber. What could I do to increase my stability and have a more firm ride? I've listed some ideas that I've read around the forums. Which should I first investigate?

-Tire pressure
I have 265/70/17 Hankook dynapro AT. Aired up to 37 psi. Max is 44 psi. I have played with the air pressure quite a bit.

-Aftermarket UCA's.

-New front springs. Eibach if I were to choose.

-New tire rods. At 120k miles I don't think they've ever been replaced. Castle nut is rusted on.

-Steering rack change (doubtful).

-Another alignment and tire balance.


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[1engineer]

Caster needs to be set as close to 4 as possible.

 

[3wbdriver]

Float implies soft ride like an old Cadillac to me. Is it wandering all over the road also, or just mushy over bumps?

 

[tford630]

Float implies soft ride like an old Cadillac to me. Is it wandering all over the road also, or just mushy over bumps?

More like wandering all over the road. Over bumps/potholes I still get a little bit of oscillation when coming back up. Steering wheel is very loose, especially off road (off road as in hunting leases). Sometimes I feel like the wheel is going to pop out of my hands.

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[3wbdriver]

I agree with 1engineer's statement above then. Get your alignment redone, and specify you want the caster as high as possible. Your technician may have been too lazy to adjust the LCA for more caster. It is more involved and with the age of your 4R the LCA adjusting bolts may be seized.

I understand what you are saying as I only have 1 degree of caster with my 2" lift. But I'm used to it and it just keeps me more alert.

 

[DKFTPNYC]

Also agree with above post. Even .5-1 degree in caster makes a world of a difference in how the truck drives.

 

[RonJR]

Absolutely it's the caster. You may need aftermarket UCA's to get the caster up to where you want it. On mine, going from 2.3 degrees caster to a bit over 4 made a huge difference. It drives like a dream now.

 

[philsey]

Absolutely agree: caster. I had this done 4 yrs ago with my Bilsteins - wandered all over before, perfect ever since.

Be aware that factory specs are well below 4*, and that is where most shops will leave it. You must talk with the tech or SM to make clear what you want. REQUIRE a before/after print out.

 

[nb rob]

Just had my caster increased to 4ish, and the difference is night and day.
I had to ask specifically for 4 degrees of caster.

It really is a huge difference on the highway

 

[gm350reratliff]

OP- post a shot of your alignment printout so we can see what you're working with.

 

[tford630]

Thanks fellas, I will report back once I get it realigned

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[tford630]

Looks like the LCA cam bolts seized when they tried to take them out... Looks like they are going to try to take the air gun to it after it soaks in pb blaster. From what I've read this is a pretty common issue.

Would I need a new LCA?

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[calcrc]

Looks like the LCA cam bolts seized when they tried to take them out... Looks like they are going to try to take the air gun to it after it soaks in pb blaster. From what I've read this is a pretty common issue.

Would I need a new LCA?

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Hi man , you have to go with them and check it out, I went to a dealer and got charged a full alignment. when I lifted the front I talked with the guys at the shop and they let me stay with them ( needless to say when I saw the alignment guy pull a 4 foot metal bar to unscrew the bolts ) I knew right there that the last place screwed me over. He came to me and told me when was the last time I got an alignment done.....

Never going back to that garage again, now I found my place went with my wife's 2015 Camry for oil change and going to go only there from now on with both cars.

If you can ask them to go with the tech guy and show you, if not they can say anything....

Good luck

 

[tford630]

Hi man , you have to go with them and check it out, I went to a dealer and got charged a full alignment. when I lifted the front I talked with the guys at the shop and they let me stay with them ( needless to say when I saw the alignment guy pull a 4 foot metal bar to unscrew the bolts ) I knew right there that the last place screwed me over. He came to me and told me when was the last time I got an alignment done.....

Never going back to that garage again, now I found my place went with my wife's 2015 Camry for oil change and going to go only there from now on with both cars.

If you can ask them to go with the tech guy and show you, if not they can say anything....

Good luck

I actually went to a non Toyota dealer because I have a close family member who is the VP of Service at another place. Have been going there all my life and never had an issue. My uncle is also very involved when any of us bring our cars in so I have no issue with trust or quality of work. I did watch them try to take out the cam bolt and it wasn't having it. They are slowly getting it out now per the last call I got so I think it will come out fine.

I plan on them replacing the bolt and bushing once they get it free. It looks like they won't have to cut it out thankfully.

 

[Lakers]

Gotta agree with many others. I installed the bilsteins, just some weeks back, and the ride was crap. Car floated over everything that I hit and it was terrible. Got my alignment done and redid the VSC / traction control and all that and boom, back to normal.