iaonbb

Hey guys/gals~ Badly need to replace my rear shocks. They are already causing unusual wear on the edges of my new tires so it's definitely time. Looking for the closest thing to a Toyota OEM shock in terms of ride quality, etc. I don't do any offroading so my emphasis is on overall DD comfort.

Anyone recommend something super-cheap, and more importantly, where to get 'em? Cost is the #1 factor for me right now. I don't expect to get another 130k out of them, just something to get me down the road for the next couple of years....

Thanks!

bamachem

WHAT? rear shocks causing wear on the INSIDE of the rear tires (or ANY tires for that matter)? who's been telling you such BS?

just buy somebody's used junk for cheap. post up your year, etc and maybe somebody will donate some if you cover shipping.

iaonbb

That was actually my own reasoning, here's why:

The wear is on the outside edge of the passenger side rear tire. My old tires were worn badly in this same area prior to replacment. I've got a few hundred miles on my new tires now and noticed the little "nubbies" on the outer edge are completely worn off, whereas the drivers side rear tire still has them and looks brand new. Of course, the front nubbies are worn off already from turning, etc. I know my rear shocks only are leaking and badly in need of replacement. I just assumed this was my problem? They are balanced perfectly and I have no tell-tale vibrations or otherwise to speak of..what else could it be? My mechanic recently checked out everything underneath right before I got the new rubber and said everytying was fine. Do I have a bigger problem here?!?

BTW~ if anyone has some decent used ones that would be awesome..I'll gladly cover the shipping nad throw in a 12 pack for the trouble!!!

'97 6cl 4x4 4RUNNER

bamachem

97 what? taco? runner?

iaonbb

Doh, sorry, massive cold today and my head is a little foggy...4RUNNER

bamachem

could be a bent lower control arm on the rear axle or something as simple as low air pressure in that tire, causing it to wear on the outer edges.

it's NOT your shocks, even if they need replacing.

iaonbb

Hmmmnnn...that's good news, I guess, maybe not? I did the chalk test and set my PSI at 29 in the rear and 30 in the front. Both rears are exactly the same as I have been checking them 2-3 times per week so it's definitely not that...I'll have him take a look at the lower control arm again asap. How would that happen? It's never been wheeled or in an accident that I know of? I love my Toy but dang it's one thing after an onther lately....:-(

iaonbb

Just curious then, my local shop has one of those Monroe displays with the old and new shocks and the little handle where you can pull down on them to feel the difference. The diplay has a couple fake tires that show various wear problems associated with bad shocks. One of them has the outer edge totally bald. That's why I figured that was the problem...

So there's absolutely no way bad shocks=unusual wear?

emptypockets

"Hmmmnnn...that's good news, I guess, maybe not? I did the chalk test and set my PSI at 29 in the rear and 30 in the front. ..."

Wow, I'd never run as low as 29 and 30 psi. No wonder your tires are wearing like they are. I run no less than 35 psi in mine, and 32 psi is generally standard. I've not had problems with uneven tire wear either.

ThomasJ

Sounds like an alignment issue to me. There are a total of five arms that hold your rear axle in place. One of them has to be bent or somthing. Have sombody drive behind you and watch how the truck is tracking.

If you want to rule out the shocks as a problem just unbolt both rear shocks from the axle and compare the damping of both of them. If they are the same they probably are not the problem. You dont have lift the vehicle or anything to do this test. Just unbolt, check them, and bolt them back down.

Paul H.

Go and buy some new shocks, don't be so cheap. get yourself some Skyjacker Nitros for $34 a piece or procomps es3000's for a bit less.

iaonbb

hahaha..Paul, that's exactly what I was looking for and the purpose/title of my post..$30ish/ea is obviously reasonable. My dealer quoted me like $80/ea for OEM replacments. You indirectly answered my question and I thank you.

So...care to give some feedback on these Nitros or Procomps? Ride quality, where to get the best price, etc?

Bottom line, I've had to sink waaaaay too much money into this thing lately and I need a little break. Don't want to ruin my new tires, but don't have yet another coulpe hundred bucks right now (2 babies under 2!!!=poor man)!!!

iaonbb

Emptypockets~ Ummmmm, I did the chalk test and that's about as good as you can get..plus my door sticker is right around that psi as well...for a P-metric tire on a vehicle as light as the T4R, I don't think thatss out ofl ine, do you? Plus, the issue is with one tire only, NOT all four. PSI is clearly not the issue.