I was actually starting to think that I was getting somewhere on the old 55. If you can believe it, I was actually able to make it to the hardware store and back without developing a new problem. So, I got real brave and took it for an outrageous 20 minute drive. As you can guess, I now have a new problem. By the time I got back I was actually starting to get motion sick in the darn thing. Suspension seems to be the logical thing so I walked around and started pushing on the bumper corners to see what was going on. This was completely frame off when I tore it down and the bushing/ body mounts were all replaced. Went back with stock Toyota shocks. I figured everything was OK. Geez was I surprised when I pushed on the bumpers and got nothing. There might be a little movement up front but there is nothing in the back. The only movement I can get is out of the sidewalls of the tires. When I get under and push on the rocker, I can not see the springs or the shock move at all. The only thing moving is the tire sidewall. The rear axle is about 3" away from the bump stop on the frame and the springs are only a few inches away from being flat. It's all OEM. No lift. The suspension has potential to get expensive so I figured I should ask for some advice before I tear into anything. OEM shocks not good enough? Are the springs completely worn out? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Suspension Advice Needed
- Thread starter crackedup
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LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
post up pics. there are a few options.....I can make my rig rock if I want to. You are saying that your pig doesn't want to budge? that is odd considering all the weight on the rear axle. have you tried to flex your suspension in a ditch, say, maybe?
- Thread starter
- #4
I'm hoping for advice on what is causing the problem before I start buying parts. Should I invest in a "kick butt" set of shocks or do the springs need to be replaced? There is simply no give at all. I push on the bumper, nothing. I push on the body, nothing. I get under and push on the rocker, nothing. Now if I get a jack and go up on the frame, the axle will drop as the frame goes up. Just like it should but when the weight of the vehicle is on the tires, the only movement I can get is coming from the tire sidewalls "flexing". Where do I start throwing the money at? The shocks? The springs? The tires? I'm thinking springs but I was hoping for a second opinion before I drop that change.
- Thread starter
- #5
Did somebody say ditch? Nope!!! This piggy is not going near a ditch. At least I won't be watching if it does. Can we just stick with jacking up one side? And yes, the axle drops down as the body goes up. I'll see what I can do about a pic of the rear springs. Thanks!
- Thread starter
- #6
I can't rock mine in any way. Nothing. The frame might as well be welded to the axle. The only movement is coming from the tires themselves and that is not right. You know, the outside of the spring pack might have gotten painted. I need to look at that. Would that be enough to keep them from flexing???
- Thread starter
- #7
Two pictures. One of it sitting on flat ground and one of the rear springs. It almost looks like the rear wheels are too far up in the wheel wells when compared to the front. I looked at the paint on the springs and I don't think that is an issue. They don't seem to be painted together.
I might have you solution to your problem if you over tighten the nuts on the shackles it will lock the suspension in place causing the no flex, so check if that is the problem and if it's not, get some new leafs.
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
no ditches?!? what's the pig for, then? rear suspension looks stock. I second over tightened shackle hardware. maybe even spring front eye(rear) and rear fixed eye(front). there should be movement.
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Shackle bolts should have a shoulder to prevent over-tightening...
What you may be experiencing could very well be normal.
When was the last time you traveled in a vehicle with 4 leaf springs?
If your springs have lost their arch (doesn't look like it though) it would be a harsh ride.
Like me, maybe you might want to consider a swap for a more comfortable seat
When was the last time you traveled in a vehicle with 4 leaf springs?
If your springs have lost their arch (doesn't look like it though) it would be a harsh ride.
Like me, maybe you might want to consider a swap for a more comfortable seat
Show a photo of your rear shackles, taken from behind the truck. From the one photo of the your rear springs, it appears that you have no shackles.
Edit: Nice looking truck. It looks worthy of a new suspension. Kurt at CruiserOutfitters has a nifty 70 series OME lift adapted for the 55.
Edit: Nice looking truck. It looks worthy of a new suspension. Kurt at CruiserOutfitters has a nifty 70 series OME lift adapted for the 55.
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
I thought that at first, but it looks like they may be there, just hard to see. I must also state that a pig rides alot like a hay wagon...AND, are you certain its motion sickness, and not carbon monoxide seeping in thru the cracks in the floorboards?
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
does this thing have anti inversion shackles in the rear? If so, which way are they installed. If your shackles are bottomed out, it's the same as if the axle were bottomed out....
- Thread starter
- #15
Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions. Believe me, they are appreciated.
I went out and took the nuts off everything for the rear springs since a lot of folks were suggesting too much torque. It is sitting there right now with no torque of any kind and it's like hitting a brick wall. Nothing. I can not get any sort of up and down spring. Whatever motion I can create turns into this side to side rock that is coming out of the tires. I think that's why I'm getting seasick.
Thanks also for the carbon monoxide suggestion but I am pretty confident that is not and issue. I chased exhaust leaks under the hood for a month until I ended up with double gaskets in most places. It's pretty tight. There is one small leak on the back side of the muffler but the floorboard is sealed up tight. I did not leave any holes open. Everything has been patched or siliconed closed. No exhaust smell of any sort.
It does have the shackles and as far as I can tell, there is nothing wrong with them. They don't appear to be bottomed out. The bushings were replaced maybe 4 -5 months ago. So by the time I got the body back on and the engine in, it probably sat for 3-4 months.
I'm starting to wonder if the springs could be rusted together or even glued together by Georgia clay. When I took it apart it was pretty obvious that it got sunk in the mud at one time and that it spent some time there before somebody got it out. I do realize that Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters has a suspension kit for the 55 available but I'm a bit wary of it since it has a note saying "welding and modification needed".
I'm thinking about taking one of the spring packs out and taking it apart. sandblasting, and putting it back in. If it doesn't work, I may have to consider what Kurt has to offer because what I have got is not getting it. This thing won't give at all.
Thanks again for the help and suggestions.
I went out and took the nuts off everything for the rear springs since a lot of folks were suggesting too much torque. It is sitting there right now with no torque of any kind and it's like hitting a brick wall. Nothing. I can not get any sort of up and down spring. Whatever motion I can create turns into this side to side rock that is coming out of the tires. I think that's why I'm getting seasick.
Thanks also for the carbon monoxide suggestion but I am pretty confident that is not and issue. I chased exhaust leaks under the hood for a month until I ended up with double gaskets in most places. It's pretty tight. There is one small leak on the back side of the muffler but the floorboard is sealed up tight. I did not leave any holes open. Everything has been patched or siliconed closed. No exhaust smell of any sort.
It does have the shackles and as far as I can tell, there is nothing wrong with them. They don't appear to be bottomed out. The bushings were replaced maybe 4 -5 months ago. So by the time I got the body back on and the engine in, it probably sat for 3-4 months.
I'm starting to wonder if the springs could be rusted together or even glued together by Georgia clay. When I took it apart it was pretty obvious that it got sunk in the mud at one time and that it spent some time there before somebody got it out. I do realize that Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters has a suspension kit for the 55 available but I'm a bit wary of it since it has a note saying "welding and modification needed".
I'm thinking about taking one of the spring packs out and taking it apart. sandblasting, and putting it back in. If it doesn't work, I may have to consider what Kurt has to offer because what I have got is not getting it. This thing won't give at all.
Thanks again for the help and suggestions.
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
before you go that far, jack up side of one end of the truck as far as you can(I think you said you had done, but just cause) and watch for movement in the shackles first and then the springs. If they are costum jobs, they may be too high of a spring rate- or just new and not broke in. if they are old, you should notice some flex in them as the one end goes up and the butt opposite end goes down. If they are rust bound/ paint locked, a real good flexing should break them free I would think, but taking them apart and going leaf by leaf would prolly be the "right" way. My (old now) new springs didn't budge much at all when they were new, now I feel they're too soft. I also have to say that the motion I get w/ my little arse on a bumper and bouncing is more of a four corner side to side after the initial up and down(ish) the springs are supposed to hold the weight of the rig and it isn't the same as how you can rock a Vdub.
anyone evr suggest that you may need to "loosen up"?(just pokin fun
) these are lifestyle trucks FWTW
anyone evr suggest that you may need to "loosen up"?(just pokin fun) these are lifestyle trucks FWTW
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
OR THIS: try to find a local cruiser guy, just another guy with a pig or a 60 series wagon who knows how his rig rides, and let him take it on a run to see what they think. Between my 62 series, and my pig, I feel they handle pretty much the same, so you should have decent luck here...you may not have a problem at all, just a new learning curve.............................................................
jack up each side of the rea axle and first push in on the tire and the pull out. You should have a barely noticable in and out play(noticed by sound and feel ). If it is alot of in and out play, you may have a bit more of a "wag" when turning loose/worn knuckle and wheel bearings could also be a point to check???
jack up each side of the rea axle and first push in on the tire and the pull out. You should have a barely noticable in and out play(noticed by sound and feel ). If it is alot of in and out play, you may have a bit more of a "wag" when turning
loose/worn knuckle and wheel bearings could also be a point to check???bobm
WTF, WTF, WTF!!!!
Crackedup, you said the axle drops when the PIG is jacked up? If thats the case the springs are worn, if you get no movement with the weight of the vehicle on it. Are the springs original or new? A less inexpensive way to find out is add a leafs that bolt right on. This will determine if they are totally worn.
Thanks Bob.
Thanks Bob.
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Is it possible you got the wrong shock absorber for your application?
What kind of shock did you get?
The wrong shock can make for a crappy ride.
I love how my Piggy rides.
Have you tried unbolting shocks and seeing how she flexes?
What kind of shock did you get?
The wrong shock can make for a crappy ride.
I love how my Piggy rides.
Have you tried unbolting shocks and seeing how she flexes?
- Thread starter
- #20
Lambcrusher, BobM thanks for the opinions. Bearings are not an issue. I can say that for certain since I replaced ALL of them. Including the ones in the differential. Last person to change the seal for the drive shaft didn't bother taking everything apart so they could get the proper pre-load on the pinion. I had little bits and pieces of shredded shims hanging out of my bearings in all directions. 
All of that is new and it is good.
I never really gave a lot of thought to the springs when I had everything apart. Just figured they would be good. There is no doubt in my mind that they are the original springs. I can't recall exactly what it was but there was something printed on the top surface of them. It came through when I was cleaning the mud and grease off. Whatever it was, it made me say "these are original".
Tomorrow I am going to jack the one corner up and see exactly what is moving. I know the axle drops down but I never paid any attention to whether it's the springs, the shackles or a combination of both. I'm going to find out for sure. If everything is moving, then I am going to rip one of the spring packs out and have a good look at them. Unless there is an obvious rust or paint issue then I am probably going to start thinking about new springs.
I really do wish "loosen up" would work. This thing is sending me to the poor house.
But, when you need one of those athletic mouth guards every time you run over a pine cone, something just ain't right..
Pablo, I went back with OEM shocks. They are still available and I was trying to stay OEM when I could. Probably not one of my smartest moves but it seemed right at the time.
Thanks guys!
All of that is new and it is good.I never really gave a lot of thought to the springs when I had everything apart. Just figured they would be good. There is no doubt in my mind that they are the original springs. I can't recall exactly what it was but there was something printed on the top surface of them. It came through when I was cleaning the mud and grease off. Whatever it was, it made me say "these are original".
Tomorrow I am going to jack the one corner up and see exactly what is moving. I know the axle drops down but I never paid any attention to whether it's the springs, the shackles or a combination of both. I'm going to find out for sure. If everything is moving, then I am going to rip one of the spring packs out and have a good look at them. Unless there is an obvious rust or paint issue then I am probably going to start thinking about new springs.
I really do wish "loosen up" would work. This thing is sending me to the poor house.
But, when you need one of those athletic mouth guards every time you run over a pine cone, something just ain't right.. Pablo, I went back with OEM shocks. They are still available and I was trying to stay OEM when I could. Probably not one of my smartest moves but it seemed right at the time.
Thanks guys!
