Suspension problems fixed! (Nevermind, not fixed)

In case someone runs into this.

Background, my front suspension felt very jarring with everything I drove over, wearing out ball joints and probably bushings. I had a light shaking at all speeds, kind of coming and going, mostly pronounced when cruising and on any imperfection in the road. It felt like it was mostly coming from my steering wheel, but the steering was nice and tight.

Mechanics the last couple years said there was no problem, or they didn't want to work on it beyond spraying some lube.

I replaced my front and rear shocks with Excel-G, and OEM strut rods. It turned out the front Gas-A-Just shocks the mechanic installed a few years ago are made for heavy loads or tight handling. That's why it was wreaking havoc on my suspension. Maybe those work for the extra weight of the 4wd, but not my 2wd.

The rear shocks installed ten years ago were also a stiffer model, Rancho RS-5000X, were missing some curved washers for the bushings, and they were no longer expanding on their own.

I test drove it, and the ride was much softer, gliding over small potholes like nothing, and the shaking has subsided. HUGE WIN!

 

Awesome Fix!

 

man i was just about to buy those gas a just KYB shocks then i came upon this thread, now seeing your experience with them, im probably not going to put the on my 5 lug. Now im stuck on what struts to get, any suggestions?

 

The KYB Excel-G I bought has the original ride performance. Rockauto categories all the options that way for you and there is a factory rebate.

My coil springs are also sagging, or at least driver side. Once I have a shop replace coil springs I believe it will make the ride a little softer still.

 

Nevermind. I was too optimistic. The shaking is still there. The softer shocks help, but the real problem is the shaking. It shakes AFTER I hit a bump. The new shocks and springs work, but bushings somewhere can't handle it.