When to replace shocks on an 04'?

[Jeff T]

Let me explain... The original Dunlop tires on my 4R lasted 85k. Replaced those with Continental Cross Contacts. At about 30k the wear pattern went all to heck. I rotate religously and 95% of my driving is highway.

Took it to a couple tire shops and they both said, bad tires. One mentioned the shocks. So I ran to a Toyota dealer and had them look at it. Their comment surprised me. You should never have to change the shocks on your 4R.

What is the consensus here?

 

[chaz]

they said never?! do u have xreas? even so, they tend to leak over time & need replacing or swapping out. on a side note, im very surprised u got that mileage out of the stock dunflops, most people cant stand them & switch em out asap.

 

[Jeff T]

im very surprised u got that mileage out of the stock dunflops, most people cant stand them & switch em out asap.

That's strange about the Dunlops. The only reason I changed them at 85k was a new company vehicle in the driveway and my wife was going to drive the 4R. I could have easily pulled 95k out of them.

What's the tire/tires of choice here?????

 

[chaz]

if u do a search on the DF, u will find the general consensis on them. u may just be the only one that got 85k out of them, most think they're terrible on anything but hot, dry pavement. either way, everybody has their own opinion on tires depending on how & where they drive. seems to vary alot but Bridgestone revo's, BFG at, GYWSA, & michelin LTX , just to name a few, come up alot.

 

[Jeff T]

Too funny! Like everything else I guess. I searched on TireRack's site. Seemed like 50% hated them and 50% got better than 80k out of them!

They were way better than the Continentals I have now.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Let me explain... The original Dunlop tires on my 4R lasted 85k. Replaced those with Continental Cross Contacts. At about 30k the wear pattern went all to heck. I rotate religously and 95% of my driving is highway.

Took it to a couple tire shops and they both said, bad tires. One mentioned the shocks. So I ran to a Toyota dealer and had them look at it. Their comment surprised me. You should never have to change the shocks on your 4R.

What is the consensus here?

If you have the money, there's never a better time than now. I recommend Bilsteins.

 

[Kmvreter]

Can you describe "the wear pattern went all to heck"? Are you seeing the bad pattern on all the tires? Could it be the alignment?
I wouldn't be too quick to throw money at the shocks if you have a tire issue. Test the rebound on the shocks yourself. Bounce each corner one at a time up and down into a pattern. Then let go. The shock is still good if the rebound stops within about one cycle. A bad shock will keep bouncing. Compare each corner and compare it to another T4R if in doubt.

 

[Jeff T]

Can you describe "the wear pattern went all to heck"? Are you seeing the bad pattern on all the tires? Could it be the alignment?
I wouldn't be too quick to throw money at the shocks if you have a tire issue. Test the rebound on the shocks yourself. Bounce each corner one at a time up and down into a pattern. Then let go. The shock is still good if the rebound stops within about one cycle. A bad shock will keep bouncing. Compare each corner and compare it to another T4R if in doubt.

For the tires, center of the tires are flat and normal, edges inner and outer are both feathered badly.

Shocks all bounce the same...

Alignment, truck tracks stright with no shake and tendency to veer.

That's what has me puzzled... My guess is it's the tires, I'm changing them tomorrow!

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

That's strange about the Dunlops. The only reason I changed them at 85k was a new company vehicle in the driveway and my wife was going to drive the 4R. I could have easily pulled 95k out of them.

I have driven with Michelins for eight years and now I have Dunlop Grandtrek as OEM tires. I don't know where all the hate comes from. I'm satisfied with my Dunlops.

 

[Kmvreter]

I have driven with Michelins for eight years and now I have Dunlop Grandtrek as OEM tires. I don't know where all the hate comes from. I'm satisfied with my Dunlops.

I'm a long time Mich fan. You don't say how long you've had the Doneflops but reads like it is recent. Check post #8 in the link in my signature for my discussion on the tread pattern. I expect you are satisfied now but will see early deterioration in traction quality compared to a Mich.

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

I'm a long time Mich fan. You don't say how long you've had the Doneflops but reads like it is recent. Check post #8 in the link in my signature for my discussion on the tread pattern. I expect you are satisfied now but will see early deterioration in traction quality compared to a Mich.

Yes, very possible that I will hate the Dunlops after a few thousand miles. With all the negative feedback, I was expecting to hate them right off the bat but so far so good.

 

[LeesO4]

My shocks were leaking so my warranty covered the replacements. Found out Toyota has a lifetime guarantee on them once they are replaced. Second time they leaked Toyota replaced them with no charge.

Here's the link.

Toyota Help Faq

I have the Xreas.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

My 4Runner was only 2 years old and had 18,000 miles and the Dunlops were already weather checked. As in they had cracks in the tread and tops of the sidewalls where the rubber was starting to detiorate and fall apart. Thats where the hatred comes from!