Suspension Components - What's needed to bring it back to like new?

[fooldall1]

Hey, All!

Looking for some thoughts on the most commonly worn suspension parts needed to bring my 100 series back to as new-feeling as possible? So far, all I have done is Shocks (which made a huge difference since the originals were shot). While it's much improved, it's still needing some work.


What are the best/most common replacements that can be done next to bring my Cruiser back to being comfortable on the highway, confident on the roads, moderately forest-road ready, and not "clanking" every time I go over some speed bumps or rocky/bumpy forest road?

Thanks in advance for the valuable input.

 

[re_guderian]

Not to be flip, but... replace everything if you want it to be "like new"...

Otherwise, have you spent some time under your truck inspecting things? Have you searched on here for what others have done? What do you think we're supposed to do with "clanking"? It's pretty tough to give any real relevant information to you with what you've provided.

However, here's some reading to get you started...

in case you want to get everything "like new".
200K make over

Early 100's have a crappy steering rack design, it's "possible" that you might have some of these issues.
Steering Rack leak - Rubber bushes changed to aluminum

Check sway bar end links for breakage (not uncommon up font) and bushing condition.
Parts list to refurb your Sway Bars

You gave no information about how many miles are on your Cruiser, but coil springs can sag. No idea what might be loose underneath, but the cat heat shields "can" rattle and clank, so can a rusted out muffler and mounts.

What do you mean by "still needs some work"? What symptoms are you experiencing?

 

[fooldall1]

Not to be flip, but... replace everything if you want it to be "like new"...

Otherwise, have you spent some time under your truck inspecting things? Have you searched on here for what others have done? What do you think we're supposed to do with "clanking"? It's pretty tough to give any real relevant information to you with what you've provided.

However, here's some reading to get you started...

in case you want to get everything "like new".
200K make over

Early 100's have a crappy steering rack design, it's "possible" that you might have some of these issues.
Steering Rack leak - Rubber bushes changed to aluminum

Check sway bar end links for breakage (not uncommon up font) and bushing condition.
Parts list to refurb your Sway Bars

You gave no information about how many miles are on your Cruiser, but coil springs can sag. No idea what might be loose underneath, but the cat heat shields "can" rattle and clank, so can a rusted out muffler and mounts.

What do you mean by "still needs some work"? What symptoms are you experiencing?

Yeah, I see your point. Just for an info baseline, I have 217k miles on the truck. Steering rack replaced two years ago (previous owner) and *nothing* suspension-wise was repaired/replaced other than the shocks that I just replaced. Additionally, I have done a lot of engine maintenance recently- the timing belt/WP, tensioner, idler, drive belt, Fan bracket, etc. and it's mechanically running VERY good.

I did a number of searches, was just hoping for (as you provided) some guidance on WHAT exact items to search on. The general searches I've done have yielded TOO much information due to my lack of knowledge on the suspension front.


Yes, I've been under the truck, looking at everything. Other than some questionable-looking bushings, everything SEEMS ok but the noises tell a different story.

The most notable is, when going over a speed bump at say, 5 MPH there's a nice audible "clank" noise- almost like something's loose. When hitting a bunch of small bumps in rapid succession, there's a lot of loose-clank noises. Nothing that worries me from a serious mechanical perspective, but enough to be worrisome to someone with OCD (like me).

Also, at highway speed, the steering response is "floaty" and not very confident.

I am also chasing a power steering issue in another thread.


Thanks for the suggestions above. I should have noted I searched previously, but my knowledge of the subject is too limited for a fruitful and "scoped down" search.

 

[fsung]

low speed clank - check your sway bar drop link and bushing
floaty on highway - check ball joints and rear control arms bushings.

 

[re_guderian]

To add to that, loose upper shock nuts clank on bumps, as can crappy sway bar bushings, worn ball joints, loose front bearings, (jack up and push/pull @ 12/6 o'clock). I know you said po replaced steering rack, but check play. Can you feel "thunk" over bumps in steering wheel? Does rack move side to side before wheels do?

Wander? Why do you think you need alignment? What lift, if any are you running? Front too high (like level) can cause funky handling if alignment isn't dialed in after lifting, and even then some trucks just don't seem to like it. Needs some rake. When level mine had bad torque steer.

But the easy/common things are top shock nuts for clank (even though you just replaced, double check) and tires or alignment for the wander. Start easy/cheap, and go from there...

 

[benjawi4]

To add to that, loose upper shock nuts clank on bumps - But the easy/common things are top shock nuts for clank (even though you just replaced, double check)

^^This. I had that same clank for a while and I was convinced it couldn't be the shocks since I just had them done. Alas, my rear PS shock nut was loose.

 

[Austin Hot Shoe]

I found that my clang/clank was from the bellcranks on the tire side of the ebrakes. Pull the ebrake cables on the back side of the rear end, you may find that to be the culprit. Easy enough to check.

 

[fooldall1]

Great suggestions, All. Thanks! Will try some of these suggestions and report back!

 

[fooldall1]

To add to that, loose upper shock nuts clank on bumps, as can crappy sway bar bushings, worn ball joints, loose front bearings, (jack up and push/pull @ 12/6 o'clock). I know you said po replaced steering rack, but check play. Can you feel "thunk" over bumps in steering wheel? Does rack move side to side before wheels do?

Wander? Why do you think you need alignment? What lift, if any are you running? Front too high (like level) can cause funky handling if alignment isn't dialed in after lifting, and even then some trucks just don't seem to like it. Needs some rake. When level mine had bad torque steer.

But the easy/common things are top shock nuts for clank (even though you just replaced, double check) and tires or alignment for the wander. Start easy/cheap, and go from there...

Seems the wheel bearings are OK, no play at 12/6 and very little play at 3/9. No "thunk" i steering wheel as far as I can tell, but there is a clunk/notch when turning so I also suspect the Ujoint in the Intermediate shaft may be sticking/need some lube. I need someone to help me figure if the rack moves before the wheels..

I have no lift on the truck, though the Torsion bars do need some adjustment (DF-19.5, DR-20.25, PF-20, PR 20.5)

 

[re_guderian]

Shock nuts tight? Jack in rear compartment tightly stowed? Skid plates tight? Spare tight? Pics of sway bar bushings? Rattles and clanks drive me nuts...

 

[Austin Hot Shoe]

Did you try pulling on the rear ebrake cables, just curious.

 

[fooldall1]

Did you try pulling on the rear ebrake cables, just curious.

Not yet, will do that tomorrow as well and report back.

So far, Shock Nuts tightened, Skid plate/cover 2 tight, and Jack Bag stashed tight in the cubby. Tomorrow, I will tighten down the spare and take some pictures of the Sway Bar bushings for re_guderian.

 

[scwill]

Not yet, will do that tomorrow as well and report back.

So far, Shock Nuts tightened, Skid plate/cover 2 tight, and Jack Bag stashed tight in the cubby. Tomorrow, I will tighten down the spare and take some pictures of the Sway Bar bushings for re_guderian.

I have the exact same sound you have over bumps on the front end. What have you found? Im going to check sway bar links, ball joints, E-Brake Cable??, and Shock bolts tonight.

 

[fooldall1]

I have the exact same sound you have over bumps on the front end. What have you found? Im going to check sway bar links, ball joints, E-Brake Cable??, and Shock bolts tonight.

Did everything on this list (Didn't get new sway bar bushings, they're ok) except tighten the ebrake cable. Noise persists, but this reminds me to do that and will report back...

 

[gatormark91]

take your bike rack off and check it again.

 

[fooldall1]

take your bike rack off and check it again.

Was making some noise before over small bumps- but the point is well taken. I will give it a shot, just to be sure.