New shocks and ride is still harsh

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Bumpy Jumpy

Recently purchased '96 LC with "newer" OEM coils and shocks already on - approx. 25k miles on new suspension. Ride @ 32psi incredibly harsh and bouncy... couldn't imagine going offroad in it the way it jiggles and jumps at every little thing on the road. Real stressful to drive physically. Prior to buying it, drove a '97 40th Annv. LC which felt like a caddy on the road - couldn't feel a thing, was pure comfort. But didn't buy 'cause it had many other issues.
Had TLC in Chatsworth inspect the '97 they said it needed all new bushings and trailer arms - yet it drove so much smoother than mine.
What gives?
What do I do.

Surely my '96 must need bushings as well since it has 160k on it.
But will that take care of all the jiggling? I just want a comfortable ride where i can relax a bit as well as go offroad without getting thrown all over the place -
I put Rancho 5000s on my '90 Toyota 4x4 with BFG All Terrains and loved that combo, but unsure which way to go on my new LC.

I read on a eBay listing that the 40th Annv. edition had suspension upgrades to make it have a smoother ride - does anyone know anything about this? Maybe that was the difference I felt?

- Thanks so much -
 
The OEM Tokico shocks should give you a decent ride.

The exception will be if you have lots of weight up front. I ended up going with some OME Nitro Sports up front as the Tokicos couldn't dampen the added weight (see sig line) when I upgraded to the stock height OME coils.

I will say that if your coils are original, they're well past their use by mileage. Upgrading to new will make a heck of a difference.
 
NLXTACY, that is so cool of you! I am near Santa Monica. Looks like yours as a Lexus, will already be smoother :).
I'll message you if/when I can swing out your way...
 
Thanks greentruck Mike. It has OEM coils and springs with 25k on them.
Crawled beneath to check body mounts; they're dry but don't seem cracked or disintegrating. However I don't know what I'm really looking for :ol...

Once it's in the shop to fix front axle leaks, I'll have mechanic look at all the bushings and stops, bearings, CAs etc.
Got to get this baby smoother so I can take her off road!
:)

Do see it needs a new steering stabilizer - has '96 original on still!
Seller insisted I replace it w/ OEM stabilizer - said it's best for the car. However, I see most owners here have OME version. Anyone know any reason if my car's all factory stock, to install OME vs. OEM?

Tires: Michelin LTX 275/70/16 @ 33psi (mounted 2008)
(Sidenote: getting 14-15 mpg, which I'm pretty happy about!)
 
If your coils only have 25k on them, they're still too new to be an issue unless you have excess weight on the truck?

Got my original steering damper on still and things are fine. However, wear and tear on these likely varies a lot, depending on previous owner, etc. They're a PITA to change, so I leave 'em alone unless obviously a problem. YMMV
 
Get a ride in another 80 and compare. Perhaps the ride quality you're looking for is a magic carpet (in other words, something that doesn't exist). That said, the Lexus LX450 shocks (if available) will likely offer the best ride.

I know that I'm in that boat. My LX450 had excellent ride with the stock springs and shocks. But install some lift springs, and the stockers aren't matched, and errthang else has a worse ride quality on the street.

Exactly what conditions are you trying to improve? Big hits over the speedbumps at the mall, potholes, or other street stuff?
 
@greentruck: no excess weight on my truck, no cool ARB, brushguard, nada. This one's 100% stock (except K&N and HID lights)...

@86tuning: Guess my magic carpet ride is based on a '97 40th Annv. LC I drove/bought/returned prior to my current '96 LC (per my first post in this thread). The '97 was silky and stomped on all road imperfections with gusto - owned the road and super comfortable. So that's what I'm comparing my '96 to. ('97 was "boaty though; TLC diagnosed rotten bushings all around)
Maybe next time I'll get LX shocks.
Conditions I'm trying to address: *bucking bronco effect on expansion joints/concrete roads (similar to other
posters)
*every little reflector on the highway jars cabin and passengers
*driving over manhole covers and potholes creates loud crashing sounds
inside the cabin! It's really jarring to the car and riders.
* bumpy and swoony around curves

It's got to be the mounts or something rubber, right? As the springs and shocks have only 25k on them.
Thanks for your help!
 
@CA Cruisin, I was replying to the original poster of this thread.

Not sure what the forum etiquette is for tech questions like this, but usually it's better to start a new thread so that you'll get answers specific to your vehicle to reduce confusion.

It's possible that the 40th has the LX450 suspension in it, with the specially tuned (for Lexus) shocks. In your case, it may be the shocks themselves, or perhaps the brand/model of tire you have. It may also be something loose or worn in the suspension. Sometimes the easiest way to diagnose stuff like this is to swap in some 'known good' parts, after inspecting the obvious stuff for looseness (steering components, wheel bearings, etc).

Good luck!
 
Thanks Brian ~ I'm a forum newbie so thanks for the education ;)
 
CA Cruisin said:
Recently purchased '96 LC with "newer" OEM coils and shocks already on - approx. 25k miles on new suspension. Ride @ 32psi incredibly harsh and bouncy... couldn't imagine going offroad in it the way it jiggles and jumps at every little thing on the road. Real stressful to drive physically. Prior to buying it, drove a '97 40th Annv. LC which felt like a caddy on the road - couldn't feel a thing, was pure comfort. But didn't buy 'cause it had many other issues.
Had TLC in Chatsworth inspect the '97 they said it needed all new bushings and trailer arms - yet it drove so much smoother than mine.
What gives?
What do I do.

Surely my '96 must need bushings as well since it has 160k on it.
But will that take care of all the jiggling? I just want a comfortable ride where i can relax a bit as well as go offroad without getting thrown all over the place -
I put Rancho 5000s on my '90 Toyota 4x4 with BFG All Terrains and loved that combo, but unsure which way to go on my new LC.

I read on a eBay listing that the 40th Annv. edition had suspension upgrades to make it have a smoother ride - does anyone know anything about this? Maybe that was the difference I felt?

- Thanks so much -
Click to expand...

What is the load rating of your tires? If they're E rated tires and you're pressure is over 35 psi, you should encounter harsh ride.

I have a 40th and I don't think it came with a different suspension than my '96 but I could be wrong.

If you want to stay to a near stock height, go for the 1" OME suspension. The springs are uprated for more load carrying capacity while the OME shocks offer a very nice ridge.
 
The Michelins say 275/70/16 114-S. Max marked rated psi is only 35.
Not sure what that all means; Tirerack says 1st number after size (thus 114) is load index.
Tire says 2,600 lbs. Inflation only @ 33. S=speed rating of 112mph per Tirerack. These are them:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...77SR6LTX&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

All very interesting! Never owned a vehicle this heavy so obviously tires will make a big difference.
Had BFG A/Ts on my '90 Toy truck and loved them. But prefer the mpg bump on Michelins for in-City.

Re. '97 40th vs. '96 LC... saw a post on eBay selling 40th said they came with upgraded suspension; another poster mentioned maybe the 40th got the Lexus shocks as a special feature. Maybe?

Thanks for all your feedback. That's cool you have 2 Cruisers! :)
 
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Back with new dampener

I got the original stock steering dampener replaced today @ the dealership (along with axle rebuild and new oil pan and oil sensor).
They replaced with a factory OEM and it has definitely improved the ride and steering response! Less jarring over bumps, and the wheel has less "play". I'd have to say for me, it's a major difference.

Wanted to check back to the thread (I hijacked! oops!) & report. As far as bounce I guess it's the way she rides. They inspected all rubber bushings, mounts both body and engine, and said everything looks A-OK; no cracks, shrinkage or loose bolts.
Maybe will put tires down to 31 cold to make L.A.'s insane potholed roads more tolerable... :)

Rear brake service with new rotors and pads cost almost $700, ouch! Wish I could work on my own rig.

It's great to have her back! I've never missed a car so much when it was in the shop... :bounce:
 
Last edited:
CA Cruisin said:
Back with new dampener

I got the original stock steering dampener replaced today @ the dealership (along with axle rebuild and new oil pan and oil sensor).
They replaced with a factory OEM and it has definitely improved the ride and steering response! Less jarring over bumps, and the wheel has less "play". I'd have to say for me, it's a major difference.

Wanted to check back to the thread (I hijacked! oops!) & report. As far as bounce I guess it's the way she rides. They inspected all rubber bushings, mounts both body and engine, and said everything looks A-OK; no cracks, shrinkage or loose bolts.
Maybe will put tires down to 31 cold to make L.A.'s insane potholed roads more tolerable... :)

Rear brake service with new rotors and pads cost almost $700, ouch! Wish I could work on my own rig.

It's great to have her back! I've never missed a car so much when it was in the shop... :bounce:
Click to expand...
Thanks for reporting back! I'm going to check out my steering damper while changing replacing my suspension with OEM. I am also considering using LX450 shocks since the vehicle has no additional weight.
 
CA Cruisin said:
Back with new dampener

Wanted to check back to the thread (I hijacked! oops!) & report. As far as bounce I guess it's the way she rides. They inspected all rubber bushings, mounts both body and engine, and said everything looks A-OK; no cracks, shrinkage or loose bolts.

It's great to have her back! I've never missed a car so much when it was in the shop... :bounce:
Click to expand...


I call total BS on them checking the bushings for cracks on your suspension. The ONLY way to check for cracks is to remove that suspension link, put it on a vice, stick a large screwdriver through the bushing hole, then yanky my wanky. Only then will cracked bushings will open up. If your rig has 100k+ miles on the original bushings, they're in fact shot. Replacing them will help with the handling of the vehicle, not necessarily the harsh rides.
 
alia176 said:
I call total BS on them checking the bushings for cracks on your suspension. The ONLY way to check for cracks is to remove that suspension link, put it on a vice, stick a large screwdriver through the bushing hole, then yanky my wanky. Only then will cracked bushings will open up. If your rig has 100k+ miles on the original bushings, they're in fact shot. Replacing them will help with the handling of the vehicle, not necessarily the harsh rides.
Click to expand...

Only took ya 11 years.
 
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