Do I replace my 2 year old OME setup because I got body roll?

[allen_ajones]

I bought from (spring of 2003) Slee the Stock Height Replacement
Medium Load which included following setup:

2 x OME 861 Front Coil Springs
2 x OME 862 Rear Coil Springs
2 x N73 Shocks
2 x N74E Shocks
1 x SD24 Steering Damper
=================================

My problem is that it leans alot around turns when I'm definitely not going fast enough for roll. Sometimes, when I pull into a parking spot, it will retain the lean angle that matched my aproach. I have the TJM 17 Steel bumper that I bought from Slee on the front and stock on the back. So it is not a heavy bumper, NO winch either.

So what gives? I even thought sway bar bushings might fix it because I read somewhere on here about someone replacing theirs with some OEM bushings and they said it cured their roll and lean. But when I look at the sway bars, I don't see any rubber bushings at all, just a lot metal.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Who installed this stuff? Also, what year vehicle, how's it been used, what country, what engine, etc..zzzzzzzzzz

DougM

 

[allen_ajones]

Who installed this stuff? Also, what year vehicle, how's it been used, what country, what engine, etc..zzzzzzzzzz

DougM

93 FZJ80
daily driver
some mechanic


Sorry doug.....thanks 4 helping me with my many probs

 

[IdahoDoug]

I ask because OME often arrives from Australia with labels like (driver's side) or (passenger's side) on their springs. There is a definite right and left spring. This unfortunate labeling means springs will be put on the wrong side by a mechanic who's not up to speed with the Australians driving on the Right side of the car and all..............

Other than that issue, I'd wonder if a spring or two weren't failing, or a shock blown and beginning to sieze up.

DougM

 

[Kalawang]

I suspect blown or excessively soft shocks. Maybe even shock mounts that have come off if they were played with at one time.

It's very strange for springs to have fault especially with OME's.


Kalawang

 

[sjcruiser]

OME shocks are low pressure ones so I doubt that it would make any difference on the truck stance should one side fails; the springs, on the other hand would...

I had a local Toyota dealer installing my OME suspesion (same kit as yours). On the way home, the truck's handling felt very funny, with one side of the nose was considerable lower than the other. At first I thought it was the way it should till broken in...However, after a few turns, I noticed that I had very good handling making left turns (which was odd enough all I did after leaving the dealer before getting on the freeway); but the truck felt like it was ready to roll whenever I tried to make a quick right lane change or moderate right turns.

Anyway, got under the truck after getting home, only to find out that the front springs are installed backwards, but the rears were right. Given the fact that I was careful enough to inform the service adviser about Australian DS/PS notations, gave him a copy of the OME installation sheet on US vehicles, AND a copy of that taped on each of the spring boxes, the mechanic still messed up!

My guess is that you might have a bad spring (or incorrectly installed, not seated properly...) How long have you noticed this symptom (hopefully not the two years you've had them on)?

 

[allen_ajones]

How long have you noticed this symptom (hopefully not the two years you've had them on)?

Hmm, that is a tough one. How do I check the springs and shocks to see if they are on right? Where is the label for DS and PS? And don't the aussies ds on the right instead of the left like here in the states? So.....?

 

[allen_ajones]

I ask because OME often arrives from Australia with labels like (driver's side) or (passenger's side) on their springs. There is a definite right and left spring. This unfortunate labeling means springs will be put on the wrong side by a mechanic who's not up to speed with the Australians driving on the Right side of the car and all..............

DougM

So are there left and right (opposite for yanks) side labeling for the shocks?

 

[allen_ajones]

I suspect blown or excessively soft shocks. Maybe even shock mounts that have come off if they were played with at one time.

It's very strange for springs to have fault especially with OME's.


Kalawang

So how long do OME setups usually last?

 

[sleeoffroad]

Couple of questions and notes

Has it always been like this or did it suddenly happen?

Does it sit noticably lower than before?

Blown shock may or may not leak oil and be wet on the sides.

To check the springs to see if they collapsed , they need to be pulled and the free height need to be compared with new springs.

If the spring were installed incorrect, the truck would lean. It would not effect dynamic body roll.

How hard have you been working the suspension?

 

[allen_ajones]

Couple of questions and notes

Has it always been like this or did it suddenly happen?

Does it sit noticably lower than before?

Blown shock may or may not leak oil and be wet on the sides.

To check the springs to see if they collapsed , they need to be pulled and the free height need to be compared with new springs.

If the spring were installed incorrect, the truck would lean. It would not effect dynamic body roll.

How hard have you been working the suspension?

Man, that is tough because it seems like lean and body roll have always been there just a lot better than the stock springs and shocks they replaced.

No, it sits right where it should I think

I will check the shocks for leaking oil today but I have not noticed any casually looking.

Lean is not really noticeable except when I pull into a parking space and even then, it is not drastic of anything.

I have not been working these springs hard..It's a daily driver. It's weird, I notice bumps but the suspension seems jello like. I mean when I go around a turn slow, medium, or fast there is noticeable rock and then the suspenion catches so that I don't roll right over.

 

[allen_ajones]

Anyway, got under the truck after getting home, only to find out that the front springs are installed backwards, but the rears were right.

Where did you look on the springs to know the difference?

 

[sjcruiser]

Mine came with a label on each of them.

 

[sjcruiser]

It's weird, I notice bumps but the suspension seems jello like. I mean when I go around a turn slow, medium, or fast there is noticeable rock and then the suspenion catches so that I don't roll right over.

My truck handles VERY well on corners, in no mean like a sport car, but you get the idea...something's going on with yours - have it professionally checked if you're not confident doing this yourself.

It's also worth noted that when I removed the shocks to change out the bushings last month, one of the front shocks was shot, with only after approximately 30K easy on-road miles (drops very fast on hand compression).

 

[Rookie2]

Where did you look on the springs to know the difference?

IIRC the springs on the USDS are longer. I would think you would notice some tilt when looking at the rear end.

 

[allen_ajones]

Mine came with a label on each of them.

Yeah but I wonder if the label is still there.

 

[allen_ajones]

My truck handles VERY well on corners, in no mean like a sport car, but you get the idea...something's going on with yours - have it professionally checked if you're not confident doing this yourself.

It's also worth noted that when I removed the shocks to change out the bushings last month, one of the front shocks was shot, with only after approximately 30K easy on-road miles (drops very fast on hand compression).

after 30 K an OME shock is wasted? Monroe's last longer than that. What do you mean drops very fast on hand compression?

 

[Kalawang]

So how long do OME setups usually last?

I wouldn't know the total lifespan of an OME setup. OME is a brand well known and with a respectable reputation so I don't expect problems with simple things like springs, especially as it's only 2 years old. If your ride is in good condition, It's more likely that your shocks are soft or no longer working well. Even a Daily Drive cycles the shocks considerably. You just don't notice because the shocks do their job well. Check the mounting of your shocks and even remove them and try compressing and extending them by hand. If you don't know what to look for, find a friend who does while you do the labor and he drinks your beer.


Kalawang

 

[allen_ajones]

IIt's more likely that your shocks are soft or no longer working well. Even a Daily Drive cycles the shocks considerably.

Kalawang

So is safe to say that shocks go before springs? And if you had to put a ballpark lifespan for the springs what would it be...3-4 years or less?

What about the shocks? 3 years...more or less?

 

[allen_ajones]

Mine came with a label on each of them.

Well I am guessing that a paper label has since fallen off. ANyway to tell on the spring itself?