Suspension Shimmy

[StressPuppy]

I am about the replace the springs and shocks, but just incase this problem is something else, I thought I would ask.

When I hit a bump, small to medium, while driving on the road, I get a bit of a shimmy that seems to be in the whole suspension. It only lasts for a second or so, but enough that you can feel it. It doesn't matter what the speed is. Slow through the neighborhood or at highway speed. It isn't enough to make you lose control, and it isn't felt solely through the steering wheel.

I have a 97 LC with 93k, I think it has original shocks and stuff. I haven't checked bushings or anything else.

Any ideas? What should I look at?

 

[Darwood]

I replaced my suspension, and my shimmy went away. The stock suspension really is crap. Of course you could have other problems that are causing this... but my money is on the suspension.

 

[StressPuppy]

That is my thought too.

What did you replace yours with?

 

[GXO]

it is the suspension...pull the trigger

 

[StressPuppy]

Yeah, I know.

Just not sure about the 851/860 (2") or the 861/862 (1/2"). I'm ready to pull the trigger any day, if I can just make up my dang mind!!!

 

[GXO]

Easy, 2 inch. If you get the 1/2" you will just sell it at a loss and get the 2" anyway.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Not sure if you guys are joking here or what. Replace the suspension? So, he's going to replace the springs, shocks, 4 control arms, a lateral rod, and dozens of bushings? You just spent about $3000 of his money.

First off, 93,000 miles is not the end of the original shock life unless it's been abused or a shock has failed. But if you feel this is the case, I'd spend $100 on 4 fresh factory shocks and see how it shakes out. If the problem's not solved, you've only dedicated a paltry amount to it.

Sequentially, I'd first check for loose suspension parts or worn/missing suspension bushings. Then I'd go the shock route. The springs you're thinking of will do nothing for a bump induced shimmy.

DougM

 

[Darwood]

When we say replace the suspension we are just being lazy and mean replace the shocks and springs. Well replacing the lateral control arms/trackbars/panhard arms isn't that bad of an idea if you go higher

Truthfully I agree with you Doug, and most likely new shocks will do the trick.

 

[lurker]

Not sure if you guys are joking here or what. Replace the suspension? So, he's going to replace the springs, shocks, 4 control arms, a lateral rod, and dozens of bushings? You just spent about $3000 of his money.

First off, 93,000 miles is not the end of the original shock life unless it's been abused or a shock has failed. But if you feel this is the case, I'd spend $100 on 4 fresh factory shocks and see how it shakes out. If the problem's not solved, you've only dedicated a paltry amount to it.

Sequentially, I'd first check for loose suspension parts or worn/missing suspension bushings. Then I'd go the shock route. The springs you're thinking of will do nothing for a bump induced shimmy.

DougM

Stupid question, but are the stock shocks (4) really $100 or are we talking about aftermarket? If so (AM) then what shocks do you susgest?

Please insert bashing here ______________________________ for not using the search button.

 

[Doc]

Yes, you can buy OE Toyota Land Cruiser shocks from C-dan for around $100.

 

[GXO]

Doug,

I was commenting on the fact that he was planning on replacing the suspension anyway with an aftermarket lift (OME). By no means is "replace the suspension" a queue to replace absolutely everything in the system. Sure, if he went to 6" of lift he would need to think about it. He was talking about springs, shocks, and caster bushings. Probably a steering stabilizer as well.

I will append my previous statement with: Go buy the lift kit!

 

[Doc]

Speaking of replacing the entire suspension, at what size of lift do you need to worry about starting to replace more than springs and shocks? Four "? Five? Three?!

Speaking specifically of panhard rods, control arms, etc...

 

[Darwood]

At about 4 inches I would recommend replacing the panhard arms with adjustable ones. I just put some J springs on recently and swapped out the panhard arms for the adjustable slee ones. If I didn't swap them out it would be very noticeable that the axles were not centered. Also at this point one needs to consider caster and the OME bushings won't work. So something else needs to be done. Higher than that and other things are replaced, but I'll let others describe that.

Oh yes I also forgot it's probably a good idea to have drop brackets for the sway bars which are also part of the suspension.

 

[Beowulf]

>> drop brackets for the sway bars <<

Mandatory if using longer than stock shocks.

-B-