X-REAS ride problem

[LP_4Runner]

Well, I've had my new 'runner now for about 2-3 weeks. Love it...completely. But, now I'm having a bit of a problem which maybe someone out there has seen or experienced.

Its the ride. When I first got it, it was fantastic. Not harsh, and not soft and spongy. The X-REAS system definitely works well in terms of cornering the truck.

About 4 days ago, I suddenly noticed the ride becoming very harsh. Almost like instead of shocks I was riding on solid steel bars, feeling every single bump in the road. The ride went back to normal about a day after, but now has returned permanently (it seems) to this harsh overly firm ride. Seems to be the rear more than the front.

I looked at the shocks and didn't see any sign of fluid leakage. I also looked at the center unit and didn't see anything either. The lines look good, etc. So my question is...what in the world is up? I'm asking here because if I take it to the dealer I'm going to get the "nothing is leaking, its just like that" kind of thing. Both myself, my wife, and a friend who has the exact setup (X-REAS, etc) all notice this sudden change in the ride quality of the truck.

ANY ideas would be greatly appreciated....

 

[stroh]

About 4 days ago, I suddenly noticed the ride becoming very harsh. Almost like instead of shocks I was riding on solid steel bars, feeling every single bump in the road. The ride went back to normal about a day after, but now has returned permanently (it seems) to this harsh overly firm ride. Seems to be the rear more than the front.

I've had my '07 V6 SE for about 3 months now and the ride is as smooth as glass since day 1. The ride is so smooth in fact that I find myself speeding much more often because it doesn't feel like I am moving that fast.

 

[LP_4Runner]

Yeah, that's pretty much how my ride was at first. Then, almost like day and night its suddenly very harsh (feeling every bump in the road - especially from the rear). I'm a little baffled here.

 

[Chicago-Spike]

Where are you, and how cold is it by you now? When it was well below zero here in Chicago, the suspension got harsh. That's just from real cold hydraulic fluids, once it warmed up, the ride returned to the softer ride.

 

[LP_4Runner]

I'm down in Atlanta, GA. Its been a little chilly lately, but as an example: Yesterday I drove out to Athens, GA (its about an hour drive). On the way there, smooth as silk. On the way back, harsh (and its been harsh ever since). The temperature's been hovering in the 30-45 degree range and hasn't really changed those two days. If it were super cold (or there was a large difference in temperatures the past two days) I would understand it...

 

[LP_4Runner]

I think my biggest concern is either valves in the shocks are sticking (making them like poles rather than absorbers) or perhaps the center unit for the X-REAS system is "sticking" or somehow not allowing fluid transfer. I mean the ride quality is really night and day - went from being beautiful to being rather miserable (or at least not terribly pleasant).

 

[Chicago-Spike]

Well, you may have an actual problem then, and I'm not up on how that system works yet. Plus, Atlanta usually doesn't get as cold as Chicago

 

[LP_4Runner]

Yeah I know. That's what I'm concerned about. Problem is...without something obviously leaking or exploded...its going to be REALLY hard to find out what's going on (and of course dealerships won't be any help unless something's falling off the thing...)

 

[Mark86]

Out of curiosity, did you check the tire pressure? I also noticed my 4Runner a bit harsher in the cold weather.

 

[LP_4Runner]

Actually I did. And I have even lowered the pressure a bit to try to make the ride more reasonable - I'm now running 30psi f/r and its STILL harsh. New symptom: I'm getting a soft "pop" noise out of the rear while braking occasionally. This is all starting to get a bit odd. I don't know if the issue is being caused by the shocks or even my rear air suspension (it has that too). Argh.

 

[snap315]

I have the X-REAS system on my 4Runner and the ride is great.

It sounds like you have an actual problem. I'd take it to a dealership and have them check it out.

 

[LP_4Runner]

Oh, I figure I'll probably have to go to the dealer. However, not really looking forward to it.

Curious though. Even with a setup like this I can't think of anything which would cause the system to get STIFFER. Most of the time shock or shock system failures result in a sloppy ride, not an overly stiff one. At least in my experience it's been that way...