Rear PP springs not sitting right.
 

I noticed that my 4Runner is not sitting level in the back. When I changed the oil yesterday, I noticed that the right rear spring is not sitting on its seat correctly. The end of the spring is not in its "L" seat. This is causing the right side to sit higher than the left side. Just in the rear, the front is level.

All I need to do is rotate the spring so it is sitting correctly, but what do I do? I didn't install the springs, so I am thinking that I just lift up the rear end so there is no weight on the suspension, and rotate it. Is that correct?:dunno:

Yep, just jack up the backend from the frame (receiver hitch, if you have one) until most of the weight of off of the axle, then it should be easy enough to get it repositioned. If it is really stubborn, then you may have to disconnect the shock and sway bar endlink on that side to get a little more droop.

Thanks Jayson.

I found a hi-lift jack at my parents house that my dad had for our 1978 F-250 to use when we had the camper on it. I am going to put that under the hitch and lift it from there.


:bigok:

trav,

i think i have the same problem. gonna check later today. thanks for the fix, jayson!

bob

I forgot to mention that you should chock-block the front wheels when lifting the back. Be careful... ;)

I have heard (sshaffler) that the PP springs don't sit level. But mine have been level up until a few months ago. The side that isn't sitting right is up a tad bit higher, which would make sense, since it is not in its seat properly.

I had trouble with my PP rear coils as well. My right rear coil would always back out of the L-Seat. It also rattled a lot and I noticed that neither coil was shaped quite right to fit in the bottom coil "cup".

I replaced mine with Downeys and just noticed last week that the right rear coil has moved out of the L - Seat a bit.

Anyone ever use Tie Wraps or anything like that on the bottom to try to hold the rear coils in place?????

I've NEVER had a problem with any of the coils that I have doing that. Are you guys using the upper spring isolators? Or do you have metal-metal contact on the top spring perches?

One thing you can try is to get some heavy-duty PVC shower pan liner from Lowe's or Home Depot. It is grey or black and in the plumbing section. It's really thick material and sold by the linear foot. Anyway, get some of that and make some "donuts", two per side. Stack two donuts together and put them on top of the springs. This will make a nice cushion and stop the metal-metal contact which will probably help with your springs from moving around back there.

Peace.
G

Watch out using a hi-lift on the hitch. Hi-lifts aren't stable side-to side, once you get your tires off the ground it will probably shift to one side and fall back to the ground. :scared:

Or get the cone bumpstops if you don't have them. They do the same thing.

Ok thanks. I am hoping that my jack stands will be tall enough so I can support it with that.

I don't have the cone bumpstops on mine. Maybe that's why they shifted. :dunno:

I have the stock center isolator cones and they still shifted. :think:

I went to the dealer and they gave me the bumpstops for free because there was a recall on the rear stock suspension.
I usually jack each side up with the highlift and the put a jackstand on the frame in front of the wheel, doesn't have to be as high there.

Really? The local dealership parts guy knows me by a first name basis, maybe he will hook me up! Does it give you a .00001" lift too? :hillbill:

It gives you around an extra 1/4" of lift.

Has anyone had a problem with the FRONT PP springs not sitting level? I am off .25" from side to side. I always understood that H&R's QC was very good whereas companies like Eibach just spit them out without testing spring rate lbs/sq.in. :dunno:

The problem is that H&R / PP does not differentiate between driver's and passenger sides. The coils for both front sides are the same length.

So, the driver's side front should be lower with a full to 1/2 tank of gas.

REALLY :eek2:

The FRONT left side of the vehicle would rest lower with a full tank of gas ... instead of the rear left side? I don't get it. :dunno:

Peter, an easy way (sort of) to fix the height differential would be to install an additional upper spring isolator in the driver's side strut assembly. That would give you about .25-.375" more height. I'd use one a Polyurethane one from either Daystar or Energy Suspension and put it between the stock rubber isolator and the upper spring perch. You'll have to pull the assembly off the truck, compress the spring and remove the upper spring perch to install it, which is why I said it was "sort of" an easy fix. Still, if you lived near me, we could do it in about 30-40 minutes tops. :D

At least it's cheap. The Poly isolators are like, $18/pair or so.

Hope this helps. :dr:
G

For the rest of you guys, make sure both the upper and lower spring perches are clean when you install the springs. I usually use a damp rag to wipe off all the crud that accumulates there over time. All that crap can cause poor seating and give the spring something to "ride" on which may explain the shift.

cubuff's idea about getting free stuff from the dealer is a good one.

Peace.
G

EDIT: One more thing: After I install a set of rear springs, I get on the back bumper, holding onto the rear wing and jump up and down to force a good seating of the springs. Sometimes I get a "clank" out of them as they seat.

LOL!!!!! :laugh: I have the identical situation with my Runner. 1/4" Lower on the front Driver's side but even in the rear (Downey Coils)
I don't even notice unless I pull out the tape measure and check. So, I'm not too worried about it for now.

But ya, you'd think H&R would may a slightly longer coil for the driver's side.

I also noticed (visually) that my truck sits lower in the front than it does in the rear. It has that 50's raked look to it now. :)

G -
You sure know how to hurt a guy. I only wish I lived closer to you guys rather than being surrounded by nail bangers and lobster fishermen. I miss a connection with like minded people and no one here gives a rats tail about cars. :cry:

My pp springs are barely (can hardly notice) higher in the rear than the front. I prefer it that way over the sagging-ass that mine had!!

Yeah, I remember that was a problem with the older models. I never had that problem with my '99 .... boy, I sure miss that '99. :(

Well if you want a 97 (close enough to a 99, right?), I will trade you straight up!! :nerd:

Mine really does now with the 3.5" Downeys in the rear. I kept the PP coils on the front for handling but replaced the rear PP coils with the Downeys for a nicer off road ride. My rear PP coils rattled and the rear would hop around too much offroad. So, I now have almost 2" lift in the front (averaging in the driver's side sag :hillbill: ) and 3" lift in the rear.

Also, I installed my ARB front bumper back in November. I think the front PP coils might have sagged a whole 1/8th of an inch since then.

And I agree with SLC Punk. I too like the raked look. I've seen too many Saggy Arsed Series 2 and 3 Runners over the years.

Hot Damn! A '97 ... I will be right over. :tomcat2:

The thing that I do not like about having the rearend up in the air is that it exacer bates any oversteer condition. Maybe if I add somemore subwoofers that would level it out. :rockband: