ride quality is sucking out for me what could it be?

Ive had my 3" lift on for almost a yr and about a month ago it started riding like complete crap like when u hit a bump u feel it hard sometimes the back end skips and seems like its gonna pitch sideways on big bumps.
I have bilstein 5100s all the way around set at stock setting. toytec add a leaf and ome shocks. What should i look for as far as potentinal issues for riding rough?
Thanks

 

sorry I don't have any answerers for ya, just giving you a bump and pointing out that your post is a little confusing,

Do you think that your springs have settled alot?

 

The only thing I can offer at this point, is make sure your shackles on the rear leaf springs are moving freely. If they're 'locked up' - this prevents the leaf springs from performing properly.

 

Well first off AAL setups are not known for their soft ride. Also if you mean you are running OME springs in front with Bilstein 5100s, there's part of the problem, as the 5100s are valved for a stock spring, which the OME spring has a higher rate, and the Bilsteins don't handle them very well.

I would check to see if your rear shocks are leaking, if they are blown that would explain the rear end bouncing around.

 

actually that is not true...i have OME 883 springs with billy 5100s at stock setting giving me about 1.75" of lift and it's smooth as stock setup was....maybe you have too stiff of OME springs on there (such as 884 or 885 or 886)...it depends on if you have a reg cab or extra or double....and also if you have a heavy front bumper put on there...otherwise you don't need the stiffer ome springs they make....they make different kinds

 

You could try putting a wheelers 3-leaf aal in the rear to smooth out the ride.

 

i have the 885 coils cause i was told this was a good setup at the time and the coils would give me a 3" lift when used with the billys at stock height.
Also I have an access cab with no heavy aftermarket bumper
thanks for helping guys

 

also i got the add a leaf from toytec for the models that have already had the rear tsb done if that helps at all

 

You're saying....it rode fine for a year and suddenly it's gotten stiff?

Did you check the rear shackles?

Take one of the shocks off the rear and test it - push down on it. It should be smooth and somewhat stiff to push down. If you feel any hesitation, is jerky or what sounds like 'air' when you push it down - then the shocks are shot. If the rear shocks are shot, you can probably assume the front shocks are shot also.

885 coils are gonna be stiff. My 96 tacoma (3.4L Access cab) had 881 coils on it with a TJM front bumper on the front and that gave me 2" lift even with the front bumper. It rode better than stock. So - the 885's are gonna be stiff. I'm just guessing, but perhaps the stiffer coils will wear down the shocks a lot quicker than a softer coil..... and if you do any offroading, that'll wear the shots down also.

 

i havent done much offroading but at the time chris4x4 suggested this and ik he has great knowledge with this stuff. what else is out there that will get me a good ride quality and atleast 3" of lift and maybe still be able to use my billys if there still good.
Also what r the rear shackles where r they located?
And would alingment have anything to do with this?
Thanks

 

You need an alignment! that same thing happened to me on my last vehicle. if i hit a bump the whole rear end would shoot out to the side. when i brought it in to a mechanic the whole outside of the tires where wore out. might need new UCAs to keep the tires from riding crooked. im not an expert on the matter just had a similar problem

 

its not the 885 coils... I been using them for a while too and the ride is the same as when they were first put on...

anyone who says that 5100 can't be used with ome coils is wrong...

its probably something with your rear end

 

Question for you...

Immediately after you installed the lift, did you like the ride quality?

This is a rear shackle -
http://image.off-roadweb.com/f/1484..._inch_inch_toyota_lift_kit+new_shackles_2.jpg
Not the exact same as on your truck, but you get the idea. It connects the leaf spring to the frame basically.

 

I hope you meant....

OME Coils

 

ill check the shackles out when i get to my truck again. how do i tell if theres something wrong with the shackles?
And the ride was pretty good after the suspension setup was changed prolly didnt ride as good as stock just cuz of the tire and rim change but it was alot better than it is now.
Thanks guys

 

If your ride quality "suddenly changed" then it's probably a bad shock.

Bad shock = bouncy/ harsh ride

 

oops... yeah

 

It's probably not the shackles, but something I wanted to mention. Jack up the rear of the vehicle (under the rear diff) and watch the shackles as you jack up & down...they should move/pivot.

Definately check the rear shocks ......that's easy to do. Just unbolt them and push on them (as mentioned earlier). It'll be somewhat stiff to push down, but if you get any air bubble type noices or is jerky when you push them down....they're shot.

The fronts struts/shocks aren't as easy to check because you'll need to take the coils off to check them.

 

Check your tire pressure

 

new year shocks are on the way to try air pressure was already checked.