New shocks too stiff !

I recently replaced all my shocks with Bilstien HD and now im not happy with them , I can feel every little bump in my steering wheel , I want to replace them with something else but not sure what to go with , Has any one else had this same problem ? Im not a big off road driver , I go off road maybe twice a year . Seems to be to be too many choices of shocks/struts to chose from and I don't want to make this mistake again !

 

Why did you replace your shocks?
And why with heavy duty off-road shocks?

 

I have BILSTEIN HDs on my 2004 and love them,over the stock BILSTEINS

 

I replaced them because I had 99,000 miles on the original Tokico shocks and the truck was not holding the road well on bumps . Any suggestions on replacing the Bilstiens . I Guess I should of done more research first !!

 

First person I've heard of not happy with bilsteins as a stock replacement

 

Might try playing with your tire psi until the shocks get worn in... or get out and offroad more often.

 

So you're stock height, stock weight, stock coils with 5100's?

I don't remember mine being that stiff at first in a harsh way, better, more planted, firmer yes, harsh, no.

Are you sure the fronts were installed on the lowest settings? They have 3 mounting locations on the 5100 body.

(Correct me if i'm wrong) but if your stock coils are shot too, your rebound/compression rates will be off providing a harsh/unexpected ride.

You could look in to something like OME 881 coils for a near-stock height coil (initial lift is ~1" but will settle a .25" over time.

 

I think it's because he's running the HD ones. they're similar to the factory bilsteins and ride like them. 5100's get all the love around here

OP I have to ask why didnt you just go with the 5100's? you'd probably be happier with them.

oh and I don't think he can't use aftermarket coils, the shocks don't have the travel that 5100's have.

 

They perform great on speed bumps and cornering , Its that I feel every little bump and crack on the road radiating into my steering wheel ! I never had that with the old shocks , Thanks for the reply's .

 

It might be time to replace Steering rack bushings and Sway Bar bushings with Polyurethene ones.

 

I replaced my OEM Bilsteins with the Bilstein HDs on stock truck and feel that they are a better truck shock,although the OEMs were more of a car like SUV ride that most people want. I feel the overall performance and quality of the HDs make for a better shock but that's an opinion.

 

It's most likely because your shocks were so worn you didn't feel the bumps. I'm not a fan of a soft spongy ride myself and when i bought my truck is was super soft. i didn't like it so i changed the shocks to 5100's and loved it. I think you might just have to drive around on them for a few thousand miles to brake them in a little they should soften up some over time. New shocks will always be stiffer then shocks with 100,000 miles on them.

 

Biscuit , I was told the valving was the same on 5100s and they were for lifting the truck which I was not looking to do so I went with the HDs

 

I don't think the shocks are the problem, they are magnifying a bigger problem; maybe softer tires (KUHMO tires are quiet as a mouse on the highway) and/or it's time to start thinking about rebuilding the front end.

 

Yes this could be true does the OP have P metrics or LT type tires this could lead to rougher rides

 

Thanks Jerry !

 

I run destination A/T s , They are worn to about half of what they were new , Guess I will have to find someone in town to check my front out for worn bushings

 

I ran those Destination ATs stock size on my truck and besides the fact they get great recommendations I felt they were not the best Road pavement handling tires,I have since upgraded to the Michelin LTX AT2 and they blow the doors off those Destinations in comfort and handling at a bigger price tag,well worth the money tho.

 

You can easily replace the sway bar bushings yourself,just unbolt the u clamps one at a time and replace don't have to jack up or remove the bar. Only about $25-$30 bucks for ENERGY suspension bushings get the 26mm if your a TRD model. I had my rack bushings replaced by a shop ran about $300 with alignment.

 

oh I was just curious because there is a stock height setting on the 5100's