Landcruiser 200 Series - sudden "hardness" in ride quality
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:12
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jothefw
Hi All,
Wondered if any other 200 series owners have experienced a change in ride quality.
We've had the car since Jan 2011 - it's done 120,000 kms. We've added polyair bags. (Sahara model).
Ride used to be a dream, loved it.
Then about a month ago it became quite hard, I likened it to driving a BMW X5 or similar, built for speed, not comfort. Anyway I took it to my trusty mechanic and he said I'd got scalloped tyres and suggested a swap around/new tyres.
Went for the new tyres option as the insides had become very scrubbed out. (In hindsight I suspect I should have done a wheel alignment etc after we returned from GRR and Tanami ...)
Anyway one week in and whilst the ride has improved, it's still not as good as it was. Everyone's just scratching their heads, not sure what it could be?
Most noticeable on bitumen, normal 110 kms speed, reasonable road quality but feel like I know about every lump and bump, and I'm not talking pot holes, just normal roads.
I'm trying to get to a local Toyota agent next week but wanted to go armed with some ideas if possible (plus they're 200 kms away so if I can get fixed locally that would be even better!)
Thanks in advance!
Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:27
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:27
Check your shocks
AnswerID:
471271
Follow Up By: jothefw - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:44
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:44
errr thanks but I have done that - from what I understand, the ride would wallow more too if the shocks were failing?
FollowupID:
745826
Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 11:05
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 11:05
That is what happened in my Patrol, same setup with Airbags and the ride in the back was rough as guts. I am guessing you are still on the original shocks?
FollowupID:
745829
Follow Up By: Rockape - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 11:27
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 11:27
Troll,
did you check those shocks when they were hot or the valving is not working correctly when hot or maybe the pistons are binding up.
RA.
FollowupID:
745832
Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 11:55
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 11:55
Rockape,
To be honest I didn't I took it to a
suspension place and they tested the shocks and confirmed that they were dead. I put on Konis and haven't looked back
FollowupID:
745835
Follow Up By: Rockape - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 12:46
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 12:46
Troll,
Sorry I adressed the wrong person. It should have been jothefw.
RA.
FollowupID:
745842
Reply By: Sea-Dog - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:39
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:39
I had a problem similar to this in my 80 series with poly air bags (more harshness at rear of vehicle and a bit of extra body roll) and worked out that one of the bags had twisted inside the spring and had essentially twisted the air line so that when I thought I had aired down to 6psi for day to day driving the bag was still at over 20psi... maybe worth looking at as I had to trace the air line right back to in the top of the spring tower.
Cheers
AnswerID:
471276
Follow Up By: jothefw - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:45
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:45
Thanks Seadog - I will check that at lunch time, this could be a possible explanation!
FollowupID:
745827
Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 13:38
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 13:38
Mate 120.000k's in less than twelve months .....thats serious driving
AnswerID:
471286
Follow Up By: jothefw - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 13:44
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 13:44
We're in the sticks ... what more can I say!
(mind you the vehicle is 18 mths old, we've only had it since Jan 2011 so I wasn't very clear!)
plus 10,000 kms to
Broome and back for a 3 week holiday!
FollowupID:
745849
Reply By: Kris and Kev - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 14:00
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 14:00
I had rear air bags fitted and the ride did not change. I was running about 6 psi when not towing, then up to 15 when towing our camper.
Since then I have had a lift put in, but still kept the air bags fitted. (Spacer used)
Since the lift the ride went a bit hard, but now use to it.
AnswerID:
471288
Follow Up By: jothefw - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 14:26
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 14:26
That's worth knowing, thanks K & K. We will upgrade our
suspension (and if possible GVM) as we're aware that with extra Long
Ranger tank plus drawer system we're pushing the limits!
FollowupID:
745858
Reply By: toohey - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 15:54
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 15:54
g'day jothefw
mite sound silly mate,check the tyre pressure.had new tyres fitted the 100s they stuck 45psi in em' one bloke told me they presure them to make sure the bead gets set,just a thought mate
cheers
toohey
AnswerID:
471294
Follow Up By: toohey - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 17:26
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 17:26
should have read they put a higher presure in em' to........
FollowupID:
745875
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 19:59
Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 at 19:59
Hi jothefw.
It is possible for shock absorber valving to change to the extent that they are almost impossible to compress. I don't know if it could happen to a 200 series but I have had it happen twice in my workshop. The last was just recently with a high mileage Honda CRV. It happened instantly after the vehicle had been raised on a hoist for a service and when lowered to the floor went rock hard. The shocks had to be replaced to rectify it. Cheers,Bob.
AnswerID:
471309