I have a 2001 2WD Limited 4Runner. I replaced the front struts/springs and rear shocks with Monroe’s a few years back. It was done to reduce the harness of my ride in everyday driving. Even after swapping out the parts the ride did not seem to improve and I lived with it. I’m frustrated with the quality of the ride and am looking for recommendations to return my 4Runner to a ride that is not so jarring. Should I order OEM or are there aftermarket parts that would suffice? I sometimes wondered if I ordered the front struts for a 4WD because the ride quality did not seem to improve.
Strut and shock replacement recommendations
- Thread starter Dustoff44
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Oem will give you the best ride quality, but you would also get a big ride quality improvement by replacing your suspension bushings with OEM as well where possible.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Often what happens is that aftermarket struts and shocks are stiffened for off-road use, when the majority of the time the vehicle never leaves the pavement. Instead of crawling over boulders and rocks, it's used for driving at speed over potholes and road cracks which can be quite stiff and jarring. If it's a soft, comfortable ride then the OEM Tokico black struts and OEM coils for your vehicle is what you want. It'll still be just fine offroad (this is a 4Runner after all, 2WD or not) but much more comfortable on road. It will never be a smooth ride though as we don't have a unibody like most SUV's today and has a body on frame design instead. It's very strong and tough but not the softest ride.
JoeT4R
Senior Member
My personal opinion is that poly bushings tend to hold up better over time but are a bit more prone to squeaking. But you can lubricate them to help with that. I'd be curious to hear other people's opinions and experiences with poly vs OEM rubber bushings though.
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Twisted Sid
Member
If you're looking to get rid of ride harshness, don't put poly bushings in it. They transfer much more road vibrations and feedback into the cab. Plus they will squeak.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
That's funny, as I've never heard mine squeak. Maybe I'm not listening well enough.
Any bushing is better than the old bushings, whether poly or rubber. I chose poly as I wanted to reduce body roll as much as possible.
spartacus
Senior Member
Video claims to stop poly bushings from squeaking. I haven't tried it yet.
How to Fix Polyurethane Bushing Squeak Permanently - YouTube
How to Fix Polyurethane Bushing Squeak Permanently - YouTube
phattyduck
Elite Member
I have used that trick on a few poly bushings (large poly swaybar bushings on my Camry) - but I think it will be a challenge to get teflon tape in there if the sleeve is really tight to the bushing. I take that car apart often enough that I couldn't tell you about longevity though...
-Charlie
spartacus
Senior Member
My sway bar bushings squeak every few weeks. I ve been spraying silicone spray which stops the squeak for a few weeks. I ve used silicone paste formula 5 which keeps them quiet for longe but silicone spray is easier to use.
Up front I went with OEM rubber bushings when I replaced sway bar bushings and sway bar end link bushings.
I have White Line poly bushings on hand as I’m planning to replace my lower control arm and steering rack bushings in the near future.
In the rear (lower & upper control arm bushings & panhard rod) I replaced all bushings with White Line poly bushings.
Over a year has passed and I’m very happy with the results all around.
I haven’t experienced any squeaking and the improvement in handling is much improved.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
You've piqued my interest. Which bushings made the most difference for you? Or did you replace all at the same time?
I already have replaced all sway bar and sway bar end link bushings but have not touched the front or rear control arms yet.
Biggest improvement for me was replacing the rear suspension upper & lower control arm bushings and panhard bushing with poly bushings.
Replaced all above at one time as I was experiencing lots of side to side movement at the back end during highway driving.
Planning to replace the front lower control arm and steering rack bushings next as mine are shot resulting quite a bit of noise and movement over bumps.
At nearly 200K on original suspension/steering components my truck was most definitely due for new bushings.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
I get that same side to side rear movement and did not know that it could be those bushings! I appreciate you sharing as I now have a solution and know what to fix. Did you order a kit for the control arm and panhard bar bushings and if yes could I ask for a link or website? I'll look at buying the same set. I have a friend with a press that also changed his out so between the two of us it shouldn't be too hard to do.
You’ll definitely need the use of a press, a vice will also come in handy.
I ordered directly from Whiteline as I try to find alternatives to Amazon when possible. Timmy the Toolman has a video which I found very helpful and others gave advice which made things go fairly smooth.
All in all it was a major improvement.
Auto Bushing Products - Chassis Bushings | Whiteline
– tagged "1996-toyota-4runner-base-esi4487343" – Whiteline USA
I went with the following parts for my 02 SR5:
*W63379 - Rear upper arm bushings
*W63378 - Rear lower arm bushings
*W83374 - Rear panhard Rod bushings
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gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Super helpful, thank you. Most bushings and suspension parts are universal between 96-02 but I'll double check they'll work for my 98.
