Bad Rear Suspension???

MATT0404 · 07-11-2007, 06:10 AM

I am trying to diagnose a problem that has been driving me nuts for a couple of months. I think that I have narrowed it down to the rear suspension. Here's the situation.

Symptom #1 - When driving at speeds over ~40mph the truck seems to "do it's own thing". It felt like a steering problem at first, because it wouldn't drive straight consistently. I am constantly needing to make steering corrections in order to keep it between the lines. It's typically not as noticeable when driving through town at speeds under ~30mph.

Symptom #2 - When coming to a stop, more noticeably on an incline, I can feel the back end raise and then bounce as I complete the stop.

Symptom #3 - When hitting bumps in the road the back end seems to want to "skip" over them. It almost feels like the back end slides to one side a little, requiring a steering correction to bring it back straight.

Symptom #4 - The truck just feels floaty in the back end on the highway. Wind causes body roll and a feeling of instability.

Symptom #5 - Last one, I promise! Plain and simple, any sort of cornering is a chore.

Suspension:
Fabtech coilovers in the front. LC coils/Fabtech shocks in the back. 1" 4crawler BL. Unknown mileage on all suspension components, except BL.

Recent Preventive Maintenance
Replaced tires
Replaced front brakes
Poly front sway-bar busings
Steering rack bushings (Not installed yet)
Replaced passenger side inner/outer tie-rod

So, what do you guys think? This issue is driving me crazy! Sorry for the long post, but any input would be greatly appreciated.

-Matt

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Ricer-X · 07-11-2007, 06:29 AM

i had a 92 buick skylark that had the exact same sypmtoms, rear springs were bad

BennyTRD · 07-11-2007, 07:32 AM

I sortta felt the same thing you did. Yesterday I replaced the springs and shocks with 99 coils and tokico trekmasters, and it made a vast improvement. Mostly due to the shocks I think, but the rear feels much more controlled now. Does your back end dance around alot on rough roads, like washboard gravel?

MATT0404 · 07-11-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BennyTRD

Does your back end dance around alot on rough roads, like washboard gravel?

It sure does.

BennyTRD · 07-11-2007, 08:18 AM

After they get done with my alignment today I'll head down some rough roads just to compare the new suspension to the old. I'm sure it will be alot tamer just by the on-road manners but, never-the-less I will check it out.

I would say your problem would more likely be shocks though.

cackalak han · 07-11-2007, 08:37 AM

Seems like this is a prominent problem among 3rd gen 4Runners. I had the same issue with my old 98 Limited. I switched out all four shocks and got new rear springs, but it only made a minor difference. Dirt roads felt like it was going to rattle my brain loose.

The biggest issue that I had with mine was, when I was at 50+miles per hour and hit a little bump, it felt like the wheels had a mind of their own, as the whole front end went from one side to the other and I had hardly any control over it. Very scary. Probably what death wobble feels like on Jeeps.

Mine was 100% stock, too. No lifts or anything. When I went from 265/70/16's to 265/70/17's (+1 size), I did notice slightly improved ride and the crazy wobble was pretty much gone (but I didn't really test it out. I did hit a tiny bump and felt a big improvement).

Hopefully, my 2002 doesn't start up with this BS.

frodin1 · 07-11-2007, 09:53 AM

I would do the steering rack bushings. The "bounce over bumps" & "skipping over the bumps", you describe sounds just typical of Runners. Mine did that from the day I got it, BONE STOCK. I had LC's on and it went away. I think because the LC's are a little softer. However, some seem to complain about the LC ride, I loved it! It seemed to just soak that stuff up. I also had the OEM Tokico LC's in combination with the LC's and I think that maybe why it rode so nice. Getting a continual bounce out of the rear end is typical of bad shocks, But you shouldn't be having that issue from Fabtechs??? I now have the Tundra/890 set up and Im happy with it.

frodin1 · 07-11-2007, 09:57 AM

Just an after thought, but did you do anything to your Panhard? That may be an issue with your drifting, cornering, and constant steering corrections. Those LC's lift enough to really change the geometry of it back there.

MATT0404 · 07-11-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frodin1

Just an after thought, but did you do anything to your Panhard? That may be an issue with your drifting, cornering, and constant steering corrections. Those LC's lift enough to really change the geometry of it back there.

That's another thing I was thinking of. It has the stock panhard on right now. I think I am going to bite the bullet and order new LC coils/LC shocks and the Sonoran Steel adjustable panhard. Hopefully that will fix it.

Thanks for everyone's advice so far!

Ricer-X · 07-11-2007, 10:34 AM

sorry, i meant to say shocks, not springs, my rear didnt bottom out at all, so the springs were good. im glad i came back to read my post!

Wife's 4runner · 07-11-2007, 12:11 PM

Yep-I hated mine when it did that. I bought it with stock everything.

Here is what I did:
1)Take to Les Schwab for alignment
2)Take back to realign
3)Take back to realign
4)Take to shop with hunter system-who does it right.
5)replace all shocks with top of line
6)Purchased OME rear springs.

The alignment helped a lot. The shocks finished it off. Before it scared me badly. Now it is almost perfect. In the end, it is an overgrown jeep. It will never drive like a caddy, but it should be close. I would not use fabtech. I would use OME. Go through 4wheel and offroad parts. Good people, great prices.

skjos · 07-11-2007, 12:13 PM

A typical test for suspension is to jump off the back bumper and if the rear end of the truck bounces three times or more your shocks are bad.

Also, I would check tire pressure, 34psi works good in my 265/70/R16.

frodin1 · 07-11-2007, 12:31 PM

That's hilarious! I won't do buisness with the Les Schwab anymore once they took 2.5 hours to replace the front wheel studs on my Baja bug. Other people have had good results with them. Not me.

MATT0404 · 07-11-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wife's 4runner

Yep-I hated mine when it did that. I bought it with stock everything.

Here is what I did:
1)Take to Les Schwab for alignment
2)Take back to realign
3)Take back to realign
4)Take to shop with hunter system-who does it right.
5)replace all shocks with top of line
6)Purchased OME rear springs.

The alignment helped a lot. The shocks finished it off. Before it scared me badly. Now it is almost perfect. In the end, it is an overgrown jeep. It will never drive like a caddy, but it should be close. I would not use fabtech. I would use OME. Go through 4wheel and offroad parts. Good people, great prices.

I've been aligned twice now in the last couple of months. The fabtech suspension was on the truck when I purchased it and I think I am going to replace the rear components. I can't afford to do anything with the front lift, but hopefully changing the rear will give me what I am looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skjos

A typical test for suspension is to jump off the back bumper and if the rear end of the truck bounces three times or more your shocks are bad.

Also, I would check tire pressure, 34psi works good in my 265/70/R16.

I am going to test it out as soon as it stops raining.

I maintain my tire pressure very meticulously by checking it twice a week. I run 35psi.

MATT0404 · 07-12-2007, 12:07 PM

I just wanted to give everyone an update. After crawling under there and examining everything I found a few key things. The nut at the top of the panhard bar was barely on the bolt. It was on about 5 threads or so. It was also extremely rusted and stripped. I could literally grab the bar and shake it. So, today I cut out the stripped bolt and replaced the hardware with new stuff. On road manners have improved significantly! No more constant steering corrections!

Also while under the truck I noticed that the springs didn't have the typical LC color codes. These ones were marked (bare with me, I'm colorblind) yellow, or green, and red. While ordering my adjustable panhard bar from Steve, he informed me that that color combo was indicative of OEM 99' 4runner springs. So, looks like the PO misinformed me of the rear suspension components. I am going to be replacing the entire rear suspension with new LC components, so if anyone is interested, I am going to be having a set of 99 rear springs and a set of rear spacers for sale soon.

Thanks for everyone's help!

-Matt

07-11-2007, 06:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ricer-X Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: houston, tx Posts: 122	i had a 92 buick skylark that had the exact same sypmtoms, rear springs were bad __________________ 89 4x4 4runner; 3.0 5psd topless 2 seater on 33x13.5 LTBs on black 15x10 procomp series 51, aisin manual hubs, custom snorkel, 3" BL , 1.5" SL 04 4x2 xterra 3.5" daystar lift, .5" ball joint spacers, SAW Tbars, bilstien HD shocks, hoohaa steering, idler arm brace, 1.5"wheel spacers

07-11-2007, 07:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
BennyTRD Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 126	I sortta felt the same thing you did. Yesterday I replaced the springs and shocks with 99 coils and tokico trekmasters, and it made a vast improvement. Mostly due to the shocks I think, but the rear feels much more controlled now. Does your back end dance around alot on rough roads, like washboard gravel? __________________ '97 4Runner Limited w/E-Locker '99 Coils w/TrekMasters 265/75/16 BFG AT's My Profile

07-11-2007, 08:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
BennyTRD Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 126	After they get done with my alignment today I'll head down some rough roads just to compare the new suspension to the old. I'm sure it will be alot tamer just by the on-road manners but, never-the-less I will check it out. I would say your problem would more likely be shocks though. __________________ '97 4Runner Limited w/E-Locker '99 Coils w/TrekMasters 265/75/16 BFG AT's My Profile

07-11-2007, 08:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
cackalak han Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 1,768	Seems like this is a prominent problem among 3rd gen 4Runners. I had the same issue with my old 98 Limited. I switched out all four shocks and got new rear springs, but it only made a minor difference. Dirt roads felt like it was going to rattle my brain loose. The biggest issue that I had with mine was, when I was at 50+miles per hour and hit a little bump, it felt like the wheels had a mind of their own, as the whole front end went from one side to the other and I had hardly any control over it. Very scary. Probably what death wobble feels like on Jeeps. Mine was 100% stock, too. No lifts or anything. When I went from 265/70/16's to 265/70/17's (+1 size), I did notice slightly improved ride and the crazy wobble was pretty much gone (but I didn't really test it out. I did hit a tiny bump and felt a big improvement). Hopefully, my 2002 doesn't start up with this BS. __________________ 01 Tacoma DC TRD OR 4x4 Last edited by cackalak han; 07-11-2007 at 08:38 AM.

07-11-2007, 10:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ricer-X Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: houston, tx Posts: 122	sorry, i meant to say shocks, not springs, my rear didnt bottom out at all, so the springs were good. im glad i came back to read my post! __________________ 89 4x4 4runner; 3.0 5psd topless 2 seater on 33x13.5 LTBs on black 15x10 procomp series 51, aisin manual hubs, custom snorkel, 3" BL , 1.5" SL 04 4x2 xterra 3.5" daystar lift, .5" ball joint spacers, SAW Tbars, bilstien HD shocks, hoohaa steering, idler arm brace, 1.5"wheel spacers

07-11-2007, 09:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
frodin1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOW, Havasu! Posts: 1,066	I would do the steering rack bushings. The "bounce over bumps" & "skipping over the bumps", you describe sounds just typical of Runners. Mine did that from the day I got it, BONE STOCK. I had LC's on and it went away. I think because the LC's are a little softer. However, some seem to complain about the LC ride, I loved it! It seemed to just soak that stuff up. I also had the OEM Tokico LC's in combination with the LC's and I think that maybe why it rode so nice. Getting a continual bounce out of the rear end is typical of bad shocks, But you shouldn't be having that issue from Fabtechs??? I now have the Tundra/890 set up and Im happy with it.

07-11-2007, 09:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
frodin1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOW, Havasu! Posts: 1,066	Just an after thought, but did you do anything to your Panhard? That may be an issue with your drifting, cornering, and constant steering corrections. Those LC's lift enough to really change the geometry of it back there.

07-11-2007, 12:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
Wife's 4runner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 101	Yep-I hated mine when it did that. I bought it with stock everything. Here is what I did: 1)Take to Les Schwab for alignment 2)Take back to realign 3)Take back to realign 4)Take to shop with hunter system-who does it right. 5)replace all shocks with top of line 6)Purchased OME rear springs. The alignment helped a lot. The shocks finished it off. Before it scared me badly. Now it is almost perfect. In the end, it is an overgrown jeep. It will never drive like a caddy, but it should be close. I would not use fabtech. I would use OME. Go through 4wheel and offroad parts. Good people, great prices. __________________ 1999 stock 4runner SR5/Tow Package 88,000 miles 3rd owner E-locker/4.30 gearing/auto Blue

07-11-2007, 12:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
skjos Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 305	A typical test for suspension is to jump off the back bumper and if the rear end of the truck bounces three times or more your shocks are bad. Also, I would check tire pressure, 34psi works good in my 265/70/R16. __________________ 2002 4runner SR5 4x4 1994 Ext Cab Truck 4x4 (22R-E)

07-11-2007, 12:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
frodin1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOW, Havasu! Posts: 1,066	That's hilarious! I won't do buisness with the Les Schwab anymore once they took 2.5 hours to replace the front wheel studs on my Baja bug. Other people have had good results with them. Not me.

07-12-2007, 12:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
MATT0404 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW PA Posts: 170	I just wanted to give everyone an update. After crawling under there and examining everything I found a few key things. The nut at the top of the panhard bar was barely on the bolt. It was on about 5 threads or so. It was also extremely rusted and stripped. I could literally grab the bar and shake it. So, today I cut out the stripped bolt and replaced the hardware with new stuff. On road manners have improved significantly! No more constant steering corrections! Also while under the truck I noticed that the springs didn't have the typical LC color codes. These ones were marked (bare with me, I'm colorblind) yellow, or green, and red. While ordering my adjustable panhard bar from Steve, he informed me that that color combo was indicative of OEM 99' 4runner springs. So, looks like the PO misinformed me of the rear suspension components. I am going to be replacing the entire rear suspension with new LC components, so if anyone is interested, I am going to be having a set of 99 rear springs and a set of rear spacers for sale soon. Thanks for everyone's help! -Matt __________________ 99 4Runner 4x4 3.4 5 speed E-Locker SAW 2.0 Coilovers LC coils and shocks 1" 4 Crawler Body Lift 1" Diff drop SS adjustable trac bar Addco front/rear sway bars 285/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns

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