my ride is bad

[3rd gen king]

i feel every singly crack and bird **** on the road!! what would yall suggest? last summer i put cheapo autozone shocks but what about putting these?
Bilstein struts for Toyota 4Runner

or is it my coils? (prob got 100k on the at least)

and should i put these in the front or rear?

or i it my coils.. lol

 

[shadow247]

I would go with new shocks first. Cheap shocks give a cheap ride. I am taking a gamble with some cheap Monroes for a LC when I put on my LC coils, but I am a cheap bas****, so it will probably be fine with me. If I had the money, I would go with Bilstein, as they seem to be a good combination of smooth ride and handling.

 

[econhonda]

My personal opinion is that it is a combination of the following items:

Over inflated tires (or "E" rated tires)
Sagged coils (contact rear bump stops from time to time)
Blown shocks
Worn steering components (TRE's, LBJ's, Steering Rack Bushings)
Sway Bar bushings

My thoughts anyway

 

[badattitude]

It can certianly be over inflated tires (or "E" rated tires) as posted

I've looked into this becasue I will need new shocks at some point. I have 135,000 on the oem shocks.

I asked shox.com if the Trekmasters or Bilsteins are softer, they said the Tokio Trekmasters are softer. I think the softest ride is OEM shocks. The catch is the fronts are $$$. The rear OEM's are only $40 however. I think a new set of OEM costs approx. $450.

So... I'd like to go OEM as that is what I really want but will most likely go with the Trekmasters as the are only $270 for a set.

As usual, the good stuff costs more.

Also, I doubt the spings are causing the harsh ride. Just my opinion.

 

[shadow247]

It can certianly be over inflated tires (or "E" rated tires) as posted

I've looked into this becasue I will need new shocks at some point. I have 135,000 on the oem shocks.

I asked shox.com if the Trekmasters or Bilsteins are softer, they said the Tokio Trekmasters are softer. I think the softest ride is OEM shocks. The catch is the fronts are $$$. The rear OEM's are only $40 however. I think a new set of OEM costs approx. $450.

So... I'd like to go OEM as that is what I really want but will most likely go with the Trekmasters as the are only $270 for a set.

As usual, the good stuff costs more.

Also, I doubt the spings are causing the harsh ride. Just my opinion.

Bilstein HD's are only 88 each at Autozone. I would go with those before I spent my cash on OEM's. Remember - Bilsteins are usually an upgrade for the TRD package...

 

[IanB]

My personal opinion is that it is a combination of the following items:

Over inflated tires (or "E" rated tires)
Sagged coils (contact rear bump stops from time to time)
Blown shocks
Worn steering components (TRE's, LBJ's, Steering Rack Bushings)
Sway Bar bushings

My thoughts anyway

X2!

I would start with checking your tire pressure, they could simply be overinflated and that's a free fix. Also post what make/model/size/load rating tires you are running, as that could also be the issue.

Then crawl under your truck and inspect the swaybar bushings, see what kind of shape they are in (although that would cause more sloppy handling & thunk/rattle noises than a harsh ride).

While under there, have someone start the truck and saw the steering wheel back and forth, if the steering rack moves you know your steering bushings are shot and need replacing (again, doesn't really exhibit the symptoms you're complaining about, but good to do regardless).

Do the cheap/easy things 1st. I would have expected those cheap autozone shocks to ride softer, not harder, but they could very well be the cause.

Is the harsh ride you are complaining about more a problem with the front or rear suspension? Or both?

 

[1985taylor1925]

Ive replaced my entire front end and I still have issues with the ride. Though right now I think its mainly the combo of a stif set of KYB shocks and stif Performace Products coils. I have a Tundra set up on the way, so I'll see if it cures my front end.

But from my experience I would check the following, and in this order. Inner tie rods. See if there is any play in the joint. Tie rod ends - for the same thing. Steering rack. I can almost gaurantee you that your steering rack has play in it. You can check by taking the boots off and shaking the gear shaft on both sides. Unfortunately theres not much you can do about the rack if it has play other than replace it. You can get the rack guide for the driver side, which I did. But theres nothing you can do to fix the passenger side if it has play. Also, the rack bushings may make your steering tighter, but they really dont contribute alot to the overly bumpy feeling. They just make the steering a bit less sloppy. But if your rack is good than inner and outter tire rods are probably the culprits.

I know this from experience. I first replaced my suspension, front and back. I then got a new rack guide from the 99+ rack. Then replaced the rack bushings with the poly set from wheelers offroad. Then got new OEM inner tie rods and tie rod ends. This really didnt make a ton of difference for me, though I know one of the inner rods was bad. The thing that helped the most was getting a different rack. But if you do this in the future go BRAND NEW OEM! I got a remanufactured rack and I know its part of the reason my front end still feels off. Then after the rack I replaced my upper and lower ball joints. Literally a new front end. I did this over the course of several months so I could drive it for a while after each new part to see if it made any difference.

Another issue guys have had is with the steering shaft that goes from the wheel to the rack. Theres a thread about it somewhere on here. But basically theres a part that wears out and so there will be some play in that connection. You can test this just by turning your wheel back and forth with the truck off. If you feel any play there, its that shaft. The way they fixed it was simply by getting it welded.

Hope this isnt overwhelming. Seems that our 3rd gens have a lot of front end suspension issues. Its been a pain for me.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Ive replaced my entire front end and I still have issues with the ride. Though right now I think its mainly the combo of a stif set of KYB shocks and stif Performace Products coils. I have a Tundra set up on the way, so I'll see if it cures my front end.

But from my experience I would check the following, and in this order. Inner tie rods. See if there is any play in the joint. Tie rod ends - for the same thing. Steering rack. I can almost gaurantee you that your steering rack has play in it. You can check by taking the boots off and shaking the gear shaft on both sides. Unfortunately theres not much you can do about the rack if it has play other than replace it. You can get the rack guide for the driver side, which I did. But theres nothing you can do to fix the passenger side if it has play. Also, the rack bushings may make your steering tighter, but they really dont contribute alot to the overly bumpy feeling. They just make the steering a bit less sloppy. But if your rack is good than inner and outter tire rods are probably the culprits.

I know this from experience. I first replaced my suspension, front and back. I then got a new rack guide from the 99+ rack. Then replaced the rack bushings with the poly set from wheelers offroad. Then got new OEM inner tie rods and tie rod ends. This really didnt make a ton of difference for me, though I know one of the inner rods was bad. The thing that helped the most was getting a different rack. But if you do this in the future go BRAND NEW OEM! I got a remanufactured rack and I know its part of the reason my front end still feels off. Then after the rack I replaced my upper and lower ball joints. Literally a new front end. I did this over the course of several months so I could drive it for a while after each new part to see if it made any difference.

Another issue guys have had is with the steering shaft that goes from the wheel to the rack. Theres a thread about it somewhere on here. But basically theres a part that wears out and so there will be some play in that connection. You can test this just by turning your wheel back and forth with the truck off. If you feel any play there, its that shaft. The way they fixed it was simply by getting it welded.

Hope this isnt overwhelming. Seems that our 3rd gens have a lot of front end suspension issues. Its been a pain for me.

Forgot to mention I also replaced my sway bar bushing with the poly set from wheelers somewhere toward the beggining of my escapades. Didnt make any difference for me. And Ive had multiple wheel balances and alignments along the way.

 

[3rd gen king]

X2!

I would start with checking your tire pressure, they could simply be overinflated and that's a free fix. Also post what make/model/size/load rating tires you are running, as that could also be the issue.

Then crawl under your truck and inspect the swaybar bushings, see what kind of shape they are in (although that would cause more sloppy handling & thunk/rattle noises than a harsh ride).

While under there, have someone start the truck and saw the steering wheel back and forth, if the steering rack moves you know your steering bushings are shot and need replacing (again, doesn't really exhibit the symptoms you're complaining about, but good to do regardless).

Do the cheap/easy things 1st. I would have expected those cheap autozone shocks to ride softer, not harder, but they could very well be the cause.

Is the harsh ride you are complaining about more a problem with the front or rear suspension? Or both?

i feel any bump front and back and i have " rancho's" that i got from autozone.

i mean i feel every crack and my tires are at 50 psi (rated for 80 max)

 

[3rd gen king]

ill try what was said, but im only saying this bc i drove in my moms f150 on the way home and said "be careful this bump is BAD" and we drove over it and my mom said "uhhh that wasnt bad at all (it wasnt) and its 3 blocks form my house so i drive over it often and i knew in my truck it was the big *****. in other trucks is not. but ill look.

 

[CoMarc]

I had the same problem with my 4Runner. So I put a lift on Now it rides AND looks like a dream.


Basically, that's replacing coils and shocks front/back.

 

[3rd gen king]

I had the same problem with my 4Runner. So I put a lift on Now it rides AND looks like a dream.


Basically, that's replacing coils and shocks front/back.

well i replaced the shocks last summer and it felt a hair better (i ran from the cops and blew out 2 shocks and all this crazy **** off road, we were camping illegally not selling drugs or robbing anyone,I GOT AWAY just fyi thanks to the runner,)

BUT they have been replaced and still are rough. i just cant understand why. i guess ill have to save up for the tundra lc lift.(yes ima cheapo college kid!!)

 

[cordrayj1]

my opinion: rack and pinion steering blows. too many parts. and alot you cannot inspect because theyre internal. my left side of my steering rack has play, so it cannot be properly aligned. how many miles you got?

lower ball joints cause a pretty crappy uneasy feeling in the ride too of theyre worn

 

[3rd gen king]

my opinion: rack and pinion steering blows. too many parts. and alot you cannot inspect because theyre internal. my left side of my steering rack has play, so it cannot be properly aligned. how many miles you got?

lower ball joints cause a pretty crappy uneasy feeling in the ride too of theyre worn

365k but a cv broke a month before i got it and the previous owner had both replaced and a few other things replaced but im not sure what ( he didnt like the ride) my best friends dad owned it so i know the actual info on the truck LOL

 

[cordrayj1]

365k but a cv broke a month before i got it and the previous owner had both replaced and a few other things replaced but im not sure what ( he didnt like the ride) my best friends dad owned it so i know the actual info on the truck LOL

i would get under and inspect, and go over what you can to ensure it is torqued correctly. not saying to use a torque wrench, just make sure nothing is loose. you would be surprised. . .

 

[3rd gen king]

i would get under and inspect, and go over what you can to ensure it is torqued correctly. not saying to use a torque wrench, just make sure nothing is loose. you would be surprised. . .

will do