HZJ76 unstable rear

[Hilux safari]

I have noticed that the rear of my cruiser (2002 HZJ76) feels as if it was rolling or dragging the rear when cornering. Very unstable and uncomfortable feeling when cornering and had to slow down to 50km/h (30mph) otherwise I felt the car would roll off the road. The HZJ76 is relatively tall and narrow, but I don’t have anything on the roof to make it top heavy. Tires are new, 265/75/16. I have extra leaf added in the back that makes the setup a bit more stiff, but that should not cause the roll.

There is not sway bar in the back. Where shall I start looking? Bushing, shackles or shocks?

 

[roscoFJ73]

feels as if it was rolling or dragging the rear when cornering

I dont understand these terms. Are you saying it feels like it will rollover or do you mean is feels like it is sliding. Dragging usually means some been pulled by something or scraping on the ground.

7* series have never been great at cornering due to the narrow wheel base, but they have always felt predictable to me.
I would start by checking the nuts on the U bolts and all other nuts and bolts. But normally when suspension components are loose they will make noises.
You may have some wheel alignment issues like, toe in or castor.
What condition are your front springs in?
Was it always like this or has it just started? More info gives us a better picture of what going on.

 

[Hilux safari]

Thanks and by dragging I mean that it feels the rear is “sliding” to one side or the other when cornering. It feels as if it drags the car off the road.

The car is new to me as well as 76 series as I had a105 and a couple of 40 series before.

Not getting and clanking noise that I can connect to the suspension system. The front spring seems to be good and firm. I did some off road driving over the weekend and all the bouncing seemed to come from the back. The rolling sensation was even on tar road at higher speed where I felt the car would slide off the road.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Im wondering if you have rear suspension that is too firm ,compounded by bump steer. Each defect is exaggerating the other.

Im not a big fan of taut supsension in the rear and softer suspension in the front unless you are load carrying regularly . Try putting a 200kg in the back and see what happens.
My previous HZJ75 was a beast that needed taming without a load in the rear.

How old are the shocks?
The previously mentioned HZJ75 also developed loose u bolts on the rear axle and when I accellerated on a straight road, the axle would move slightly and make the vehicle crab walk

 

[Hilux safari]

Im wondering if you have rear suspension that is too firm ,compounded by bump steer. Each defect is exaggerating the other.

Im not a big fan of taut supsension in the rear and softer suspension in the front unless you are load carrying regularly . Try putting a 200kg in the back and see what happens.

The leaf springs are pretty firm and even extra leaves were added. Not sure about the shocks, but they are not new for sure. The recent trip I did was mainly uploaded, but the idea is that with roof top tend, fridge, jerry cans and gear in the back, there would be an extra 200kg.

I’ll check the u-bolts tomorrow in case they got lose.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Those shocks look like the originals, they are painted black. Can you see the rubber cushioner on your tank strap is coming out?

 

[Hilux safari]

Those shocks look like the originals, they are painted black. Can you see the rubber cushioner on your tank strap is coming out?

Yes and yes.