william_t

Hello all. I have searched without finding a good answer to my problem. I have '94 4Runner, 3.0, 5 sp MT 4WD. Just turned 215,000 mi. It's been very reliable, just replaced rear coils cause they were sagging, with the Moog cc255 coils (heard about here). It firmed up the rear, but I still get the side to side wallowing over uneven roads. The shocks are Bilstein HDs, with about 70,000 miles on them. I'm ready to replace them, as we're keeping the T4R for awhile. I still think this is more than shocks, tho. I've had Michelin 10.50 X 31 inch tires on since I had 60,000 miles on the vehicle, stock rims. Could the torsion bars be worn out, or need adjusting? I like the suspension the way it is, no lift, as nearly all driving is on-road. I can still go anywhere I need to go...

Would greatly appreciate some insight from the members of this forum.

Sincerely,

Bill
Chesapeake, VA

abecedarian

do you still have the panhard rod installed in the rear? if so are it's bushings okay?
and 10.50 wide tires on stock rims could be contributing to the wallowing.
and at 215k miles, the suspension bushings themselves may need replaced.

Jay351

Abe, remember the 31x10.50" tires were stock on most of all the 2nd gen 4runners out there..

abecedarian

thought they were stock on the alloys, but not the skinnier steelies...?
guess it's a moot point since I don't know what rims are on the truck in question.
I need to get out more and pay more attention, no?

what about my other suggestions?

anthony1

iTrader: (1)

back then, even the alloys were 15x7.

CoedNaked

I find it hard to believe your Bilstein HD's are already done. Stock shocks last longer then that. Your Bilsteins shouldn't even sweat 70,000 miles.

The handling on my truck isn't perfect but with an extra leaf spring and my Bilstein HD's with a few hundred pounds in the bed it rides like an absolute champ. Pretty damn good for a 4x4 me thinks.

If I were you get the front end inspected for worn out bushings, and other suspension components but otherwise if you haven't noticed a significant change, suck it up!

SteveMcQ

Shocks generally have a lifespan of 40k max(this is according to most manufacturers). If you have 70k on those badboys, it's time to change them. You may also want to mess around with tire pressure. That is assuming you have tires that are still in good shape. Are they worn on the inside(?), jack up the front and shake down the front end. Usually loose components are often directly related to "clunks" and other odd noises.

In my opinion, a wallowing truck is often the result of worn out shocks and/or crappy worn out tires or tires not set at the correct pressure.

It could be anything, but changing 70k shocks is a no brainer and checking tire pressure/tire condition is just good preventive maintenance.

abecedarian

we're talking about a coil spring truck here, not leafs.

Blackulua

Did you try and get a front alignment.They'll tell you they wont do the front alignment if anything is loose like a worn pitman arm or worn out center link.I just replace whatever part needs to changed before having a succesful alignment.I once felt my truck vibrating to the right with a worn tie rod ends,so I replaced both sides and later found my pitman arm was worn out also.After all that was replaced the truck runs perfect on the road with a alignment done at Sears for $75.

william_t

thanks for all the replies...I have stock alloy rims, 7x15". It came with the smaller tires originally, I put the 31s on at 60,000 mi. I realize these tires will make it wallow a little, and I have changed shocks at 60,000 miles since the first OEMs, always with Bilsteins. Last year's inspection caught me replacing the idler arm, and that tightened up the steering.

When I replaced the rear coils, I looked at the bushings for the panhard bar, they looked OK, but what do I know? My tires look good, amazingly, and there has to be nearly 50,000 miles on them. I've been thinking about going down to 9.50x30". Also, on pressure, I run 29 front, 32 rear. Could that be it?

We're headed for Vermont in October, long trip. We toyed with replacing the T4R, but could not find a suitable replacement, so I'm looking at mandatory maintenance, and keeping it going. (Would have another 4Runner, but gas prices, etc.)

I'll probably get an alignment, too.

Thanks for all the ideas, and keep them coming.

Bill
Chesapeake, VA