Nissan GU lurching

We've bought a 08 Patrol TD about six months ago. So far we are very happy with its performance. The one problem we do have though is that it is lurching a lot around corners. That is even with city driving and without a load.
Its done 60K and has a steel bullbar, two batteries and we are planning to put an alloy roof rack on aswell. We also tow a camper trailer when we go bush.

From my research it sounds that my standard shockers are dead in the water.
The question is this. If I replace them and my coils with something better, What advantages is there to raising the vehicle?
What else is necessary like torsion bars eg?
Does anybody have any experience with the adjustable shockers?

G'day Abchelle,
Firstly, Patrols don't have torsion bars......just coils, shocks and sway bars.
Before you decide whether you need to or should raise the suspension height of your rig, you need to work out what use/s you bought the vehicle for.

If it mainly for highway touring with some dirt/gravel roads/tracks thrown in, then I would suggest there isn't much point in raising your vehicle. Raising it will make it less stable on the road due to a raised COG (centre of gravity).

If you decide to raise the vehicle (50mm is considered by most state authorities and insurers to be the maximum without having it "engineered"), then any of the reputable aftermarket companies (ARB, TJM, Opposite Loack etc) will be happy to take your money in exchange for a shiny new set of springs and shocks. You may also need to arrange for the fitment of castor correction bushes to your front axle's trailing arms and possibly extensions for your sway bar connections and the rear brake bias arm.

Getting back to your original question about "lurching" around corners..... Do you really mean "lurching" (as defined by a sort of surging as if the power to the wheels and/or road is being interupted or otherwise not being delivered smoothly)......or do you mean it's sort of "wallowing" around the corners as though it's a large ship at sea in rough weather???

If it's the latter, then I feel as though it would be your shockers not handling the sideways movement. It could also be other factors like worn bushes in your rear end locating arms (you have 5 of these= 10 bushes).

If it's the former ( a sort of surging), then it could be your LSD (limited slip differential). Patrols have one of the best standard LSDs in the business, but sometimes they can "grab" as you make a corner turn on a hard surface. A friction modifier added to the diff oil could be the solution if this is determined to be the problem.

You might also want to log on www.patrol4x4.com.au where there is a wealth of knowledge about (you guessed it).....Patrols!!!! LOL

Cheers

Roachie

Hi abchelle,

Assuming that there has been a previous owner of the Patrol, maybe check that the front and/or rear stabiliser bars haven't been disconnected/removed.

Just a thought, as a lot of owners do remove them.

Cheers,
Darren

What do Nissan have toi say about it? Given that its still in warranty?

Without being rude perhaps cornering more slowly may help

Saharas do that a bit if you push them due to softer suspension.

Too low tyre pressure can do that as well

Shocks are for stopping wheel bounce not taking the weight

Thats what the springs do.

Cheers

Lurching can be caused by stuffed rubbers (bushes) in the front leading arms.

Just replaced mine at 200k , worth jacking car up on chassis not axle and looking for gaps to appear through the bushes , 2 big bushes per arm .

Adjustable shocks like 40mm tough dogs are really good and can be fitted first and change coils latter if you wish (up to 50mm) I'm on my second pair.

Shocks though aren't for lurching unless yours are stuffed, which you could tell by disconnecting bottom mount and pushing up/down looking for no resistance in centre as you test .

Prefer standard coils myself , but then am careful not to add heavy bar etc over front wheels. Weight though shouldn't cause lurching , just slower response.

abchelle

Roachie has hit the nail on the head, so has Robin M

I do not use adjustable shockers, and really see no real advantage in them.. Please this is just a personal thing, as I recon I have enuf things to do when we are tripping about, than worry aout if I have set my shockers correctly.

You really need to have a think about a few things

1) Heavier springs mean harder ride, sure your Patrol will not lean as much, but you will lose that brilliant ride, that Nissan is renowned for.

2) Standard Nissan shockers arn't much chop. I could not afford Tough Dogs, so went for the new style Old Man Emu, before our last trip, as they are 1/2 the price. Putting them on is relatively simple, and believe me, if they could have been destroyed, then we would have done it, on the Gunbarrell, the Canning, the Gibb River Road, and the road into Wolf Creek Crater.. guess what ?.,.. they are still good.
3) Standard height for the Partol is OK in the Simpson, and most other parts. In saying that we have a 3" lift, but that was on the vehicle when I rescued the poor thing from a Toyota Yard.

Cheers Bucky