My 4runner feels like a rollercoaster! Help!

[drbiii]

While driving today I tried to focus on it being the shocks and not the alignment and I believe that is the case (bumps don't steer me off the road, but they do created rocking) however, if you do the bounce test by pushing down on the front a couple of times and then counting the bounces it only bounces once or twice......what is the rule of thumb?...If it bounces 3 times you need new shocks?

The 4Runner shouldn't bob more than once if the shocks are in good condition.

Another thing to check is whether any of the shocks are leaking (look for an oily film around them)

If stock ride quality shocks (kyb) are going to be anything like what Im dealing with now then I don't want them. I came from a Tacoma TRD Sport 4wd and if bilsteins will give me a ride more like that then that is what I want. To me, the tacoma had a perfect ride. Silly me for assuming the 4runner would ride the same.
Are the adjustable 5100s stiff like the HDs that I linked. Also, can you adjust the height easily?
Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com

5100's will allow you to change the ride height, but it won't be easy. You basically have the ability to set the lower spring perch in three different settings (low=stock height / high=2.5" / middle=somewhere in between?).

In order to change the ride height, you'd have to pull the front shocks, compress the springs, reset the perch, the reinstall.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

The 4Runner shouldn't bob more than once if the shocks are in good condition.

Another thing to check is whether any of the shocks are leaking (look for an oily film around them)



5100's will allow you to change the ride height, but it won't be easy. You basically have the ability to set the lower spring perch in three different settings (low=stock height / high=2.5" / middle=somewhere in between?).

In order to change the ride height, you'd have to pull the front shocks, compress the springs, reset the perch, the reinstall.

well then I should just go with the daystar leveling kit that I already have in my living room. Are the bilsteins I linked to the same stiffness and quality as 5100s?

 

[borgzman]

Hi,
I have Bilstein Front Height Adjustable(5100), and Bilstein HD in the Rear(the link you posted above.
I gained 1.25" of front lift by setting the springs in the first notch/grove of the adjustables and no lift in the rear by having those Bilstein HD shocks.
The ride of that setup is firm, but does not bother me, its smooth at 40mph and less body roll when cornering also less nose dive when braking. I think its comparable to the Tacoma

If you are interested with those Bilstein in your link above(F4-BE5-C513-H0-Front shocks, F4-BE5-C514-H0 - Rear shocks)
here is an install writeup from another member here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gallery/62359-norcal-2004-4runner.html
:thumb3:

 

[TitaniumToy]

Can anybody help me figure this out?

My 4runner is all over the road. The alignment was just fixed 2 weeks ago for the same reason. It was better at first but now it is just as bad. It tracks straight on a perfect road but if there is any change in the road it jerks me. Just changing lanes results in whipping me side to side. You can feel every bump in the road and there is a ton of body roll..... On the interstate it feels like I'm getting blown all over the road by wind, but its not windy.

It sounds like something more severe than just worn shocks to me. My 'past-due-for-replacement' shocks have 130k on them, and while the ride is more reminiscent of a Buick right now, it does not feel the least bit unstable or out of control. Perhaps 1 or more of your shocks are completely blown. Test your shocks on a large speedbump.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

It sounds like something more severe than just worn shocks to me. My 'past-due-for-replacement' shocks have 130k on them, and while the ride is more reminiscent of a Buick right now, it does not feel the least bit unstable or out of control. Perhaps 1 or more of your shocks are completely blown. Test your shocks on a large speedbump.

Everything up front is tight (I was under it looking at everything with my alignment guy before the alignment 2 weeks ago) so I don't know what else it could be. I think my only option is to go ahead and try new shocks and look everything over again while doing so.

I will say that when he did the alignment he said that the toe and camber were way out of spec.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

If I go over a large speed bump what am I looking for? I already know it will come down hard on the bump stops when going over a parking lot speed bump.

What else can I look for while driving this thing to help determine whats going on?

I think I am just going to go ahead and order bilstein HDs and put the leveling kit and wheel spacers on along with it and get it realigned and hope it improves the ride. I don't have the patience to wait on a set of FJ springs.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

We will find out tomorrow if its the tires. My alignment guy is going to swap wheels and tires with me off of his 06 Tacoma to see what happens.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

Well.....The 16" tacoma wheels wouldn't fit because my brake calipers are too big.

Does anybody know if the 17" wheels will fit my limited? If so, then I can swap wheels with a girl at work. Her 4runner rides much better than mine.
Meanwhile, I'm taking the 4runner in to Toyota to see if they figure out the problem. I did find out the my tires are performance tires with an H rating.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well.....The 16" tacoma wheels wouldn't fit because my brake calipers are too big.

Does anybody know if the 17" wheels will fit my limited? If so, then I can swap wheels with a girl at work. Her 4runner rides much better than mine.
Meanwhile, I'm taking the 4runner in to Toyota to see if they figure out the problem. I did find out the my tires are performance tires with an H rating.

17's will work with your big, SE/Limited brakes.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

Finally found the answer. The tires are crap. I took it to Toyota and without even driving it they said every time they have seen these tires go on a 4runner it does what mine is doing. Add to that the fact that the previous owner didnt rotate them for 30k miles. They did drive it just to confirm though.
I have the Geolander HTS tires.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

Finally found the answer. The tires are crap. I took it to Toyota and without even driving it they said every time they have seen these tires go on a 4runner it does what mine is doing. Add to that the fact that the previous owner didnt rotate them for 30k miles. They did drive it just to confirm though.
I have the Geolander HTS tires.

has anybody seen these tires or just cheap tires in general cause these issues that I am having?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

has anybody seen these tires or just cheap tires in general cause these issues that I am having?

Your not the first to have issues with these tires. Not that it matters to you but I consider it a damn shame, Yok's can be very good tires but certain series of the Geolander HTS's suck. What size do you have? 265/65/17's? IIRC some have actually used this Yok in a 265/70/17 with good results on 4Runners. That just highlights what I was getting, it's weird, certain size HTS's just don't work well.

I have had great luck with the same tire but a D load range variant. Many like the Geolander ATS but you are not the first to complain about the HTS.

It sounds like you're "done" and just need to get rid of them for some Revo2's or LTX M/S2's.
:cheers:

 

[clemsonxplorer]

Your not the first to have issues with these tires. Not that it matters to you but I consider it a damn shame, Yok's can be very good tires but certain series of the Geolander HTS's suck. What size do you have? 265/65/17's? IIRC some have actually used this Yok in a 265/70/17 with good results on 4Runners. That just highlights what I was getting, it's weird, certain size HTS's just don't work well.

I have had great luck with the same tire but a D load range variant. Many like the Geolander ATS but you are not the first to complain about the HTS.

It sounds like you're "done" and just need to get rid of them for some Revo2's or LTX M/S2's.
:cheers:

Mine are the 265/60-18. I don't think my steering is as bad as Bbumble's, but I do bounce and have body roll like crazy when I go over bumps and dips. I never even noticed the ruts in the interstate from the 18 wheelers until I got this 4runner. Now I have to get out of that lane because my 4runner reacts so bad to them.

I watched a 4runner go over a speed bump today and the body hardly moved whereas when I watch the reflection of mine in the grocery store windows mine drops way down and back up one good time. This could be because I was going slow enough to watch myself where as the other 4runner was going a little faster. Other than that the shocks pass the bounce test. So I'm torn on whether its the tires or shocks or both or something else entirely.

Can bad tires bounce you around as if you had bad shocks?
Can they pull the steering wheel out of your hand when coming to a stop?
Can they cause body roll and the feeling of it being windy on the highway.

Can bad shocks also do all of the above even if they pass the bounce test?

Can 18" wheels give a worse ride than 17"?

Wheel spacers and a leveling kit improved it just a little bit. Could that be an indicator of what the root cause is?

When its time for new tires my shocks will have over 100k on them so I guess I will replace the shocks and the tires at the same time and hope for the best. After seeing that new tires did not fix Bbumble's issues I am worried though.

 

[4Runner8]

mine is pretty terrible right now... it has 108k miles on factory suspension plus 3 inch spacer lift, i have had the spacers in for about 6k miles. i am replacing it all soon thank god, but highway driving is very rough for me and i get steering wheel shake and all that fun stuff. i do have body roll alot but that is really on on turns or if i whip into another lane hard and fast. normal lane changing doesnt really body roll for me.

 

[4Runner8]

has anybody seen these tires or just cheap tires in general cause these issues that I am having?

i used to have POS kelly tires on mine befor i lifted and got general at's and they lasted 65k miles im not kidding. yes they were all completely bald when we took em off but 65k is good for tires that were 90 bucks a pop. they never gave a bad ride but with my miles up alot now, i think its just my factory shocks that really suck.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

I noticed something today. I can grab the roof rack on the better riding 04 4runner and rock it pretty easily compared to when I try to rock mine which is very stiff. It looked like the tires were giving and not the suspension. Does this mean the side walls on my tires are much stiffer? Limited Suspensions aren't any stiffer than SR5s are they?

Hopefully I will be trading wheels with her tomorrow to find out once and for all if it is the tires or not.

 

[bbumbles]

This is because you probably have Xreas suspension on the Limited. You can check by seeing if there are lines running to each shock which make it much stiffer.

 

[clemsonxplorer]

I don't have XREAS.

I swapped my wheels and geolanders today with the 04 4runner wheels and dunlops.
First thing I noticed while doing the swap was that my wheels and tires were much heavier than hers. My 4runner with her Dunlops takes the bumps and pot holes much smoother now and seems to do better on the interstate. I still get the rocking though. It doesnt swerve or anything, just rocks like a boat. Its got to be the springs or shocks or sway bar in my case. I don't think its the steering, although when coming to a stop little bumps and dips will still pull the steering wheel.

What would cause sudden rocking or body roll when driving over dips and stuff?
Would my suspension be too stiff or my shocks to weak?

 

[bbumbles]

Well that rules out my Xreas if you don't have it and the smaller tire thing. If you find anything out please let me know I took the Toyota tech out yesterday and he did feel it but gave me the line that this maybe how it is I said not what I want to hear for 40K so they are calling Toyota to open another case #. He asked me to leave it and I said only if Toyota pays for the rental he needs to get there approval so we shall see but I told him I am not spending another penny on this truck it should be on Toyota now after my $900 tires did not fix the problem...

 

[clemsonxplorer]

Maybe you will finally get somewhere now that he feels it too. Let me know what happens. My Tacoma's rear diff was grinding on turns and it took 5 trips to Toyota for them to finally figure out the problem.

Is your problem still similar to mine or is your steering still pretty bad?

The girl who now has my tires on her 4runner said she didn't like it and they felt heavy and it was harder to turn and it pulls to the left.

I wish I knew if my 4runner has been like this since day one. (I got it used)