My ongoing handling/suspension problem
I got LT tires, 4 new shocks and custom leaf springs. (See old thread.) Once the van was no longer all floppy in the rear, I noticed the front end. Took it to an alignment shop with good local repu...
Forum Discussion
Thank you, guys!
I can mention those to them.
It has torsion rods. I think those are instead of springs? I did ask shop if adjustment was needed due to new rear springs, but no.
Well, it improved it a heck of a lot :). Other stuff, I am not sure.
None, really. This is a 3/4 ton truck chassis and I am at GVW. Previous rigs were 1/2 ton pickup and small cars.
I think my inexperience is a big part of the problem in diagnosis, if not in solving the problem. I don't know what it should feel like. That's why I am having more experienced friends drive it and reporting what they say.
At first I thought it was just me. I drove this rig for a year before I knew there was actually a problem. I thought I was just not used to a bigger truck. Then a couple friends used it and they told me, 'Whoah! It is not supposed to be like this.'
RE: Tires and pressure. Sidewalls say 80lbs. The car guy forum for this van say you must run LT tires, not P ones, for decent handling. Most of them have the tires I have. I originally had these tires at 42 psi, but folks here told me that was way too low for the load, and increasing the psi did help noticeably. I just googled but did not find any info on wheels (vs tires) and pressure, for this van.
westend wrote:
The symptoms you state are coincident with a worn tie rod end or worn ball joints. Any shop that works on suspension should be able to diagnose the problems.
I can mention those to them.
TakingThe5th wrote:
How good are the front springs? Those new shocks stop the bounce but they don't prevent the bounce. Maybe the problem you are trying to overcome by over inflating the tires is actually caused by weak springs.
It has torsion rods. I think those are instead of springs? I did ask shop if adjustment was needed due to new rear springs, but no.
When you added new leaf springs in the back you may have changed the total feel of your van.
Well, it improved it a heck of a lot :). Other stuff, I am not sure.
Vulcan Rider wrote:
What's your previous experience driving a vehicle like this ?
Some people have a really serious problem getting used to the "feel".
None, really. This is a 3/4 ton truck chassis and I am at GVW. Previous rigs were 1/2 ton pickup and small cars.
I think my inexperience is a big part of the problem in diagnosis, if not in solving the problem. I don't know what it should feel like. That's why I am having more experienced friends drive it and reporting what they say.
At first I thought it was just me. I drove this rig for a year before I knew there was actually a problem. I thought I was just not used to a bigger truck. Then a couple friends used it and they told me, 'Whoah! It is not supposed to be like this.'
RE: Tires and pressure. Sidewalls say 80lbs. The car guy forum for this van say you must run LT tires, not P ones, for decent handling. Most of them have the tires I have. I originally had these tires at 42 psi, but folks here told me that was way too low for the load, and increasing the psi did help noticeably. I just googled but did not find any info on wheels (vs tires) and pressure, for this van.
