Ride Quality....
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New User
Joined: Sep 2005
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Ride Quality....
I am in need of advice on improving the ride quality. I obviously do realize my truck is a 3/4 ton truck weighing nearly 8000 pounds, so I am not expecting miracles.
The mods I have done so far are:
Bilstein Shocks
Cryo'ed rotors
Hawk pads
Firestone Air Bags
Hellwig sway bar (rear)
The ride is so rough at times I feel as though I will be bucked out of my seat. I turn to look at my kids in the middle seat and they are shaking all over the place. If I can't get the ride to settle down, I will consider trading it in.
I am in need of new tires soon, but I am not sure if I switched load ratings if that would help.
Any helpful suggestions are much appreciated!
The mods I have done so far are:
Bilstein Shocks
Cryo'ed rotors
Hawk pads
Firestone Air Bags
Hellwig sway bar (rear)
The ride is so rough at times I feel as though I will be bucked out of my seat. I turn to look at my kids in the middle seat and they are shaking all over the place. If I can't get the ride to settle down, I will consider trading it in.
I am in need of new tires soon, but I am not sure if I switched load ratings if that would help.
Any helpful suggestions are much appreciated!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 168
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Have a look at the bump stops for the springs. My truck has a relatively low 121,000 miles on it and the front bump stop is touching the spring which means the suspensions has extremely limited travel. The rear is not too much better.
It seems the springs are a weak area on these trucks. I have the same problem. I just replaced the shocks with Bilsteins as well the as steering damper and it's no better. I remember when I got the truck I would drive around with the radio off and marvel at house silent it was. Now it sounds like everything is falling off when I go over a bump.
It seems the springs are a weak area on these trucks. I have the same problem. I just replaced the shocks with Bilsteins as well the as steering damper and it's no better. I remember when I got the truck I would drive around with the radio off and marvel at house silent it was. Now it sounds like everything is falling off when I go over a bump.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Bilsteins are known for their high dampening rates which translate into a rougher ride.
Basically what you have now is a undersprung, over damped suspension. One or the other has to change. Shocks or springs.
What kind if tires do you have now and what pressures do you run them at?
What PSI are the bags set at when not towing?
Basically what you have now is a undersprung, over damped suspension. One or the other has to change. Shocks or springs.
What kind if tires do you have now and what pressures do you run them at?
What PSI are the bags set at when not towing?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,955
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From: Ohio
I dono if this will help you, but i had a really rough ride like you did. After i put my fabtech lift on and went from goodyear wrangler with silent armor (load E) to BFG all terrains (load range D), the ride was alot better. Before these two mods, when i would go over a bump, it would feel like the rear end was coming out (like fish tailing in the snow, but not totally that bad). The lift and tires fixed it all.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Jake04x it seems a lot of people are puttin bilsteins on the excursion righ now. I would have gone with an adjustable shock. I would also agree that your springs are most likely shot and have nothing left. You may want to check them out and look at putting in new ones. I agree with I eat that when Iput my lift ( procomp) my truck was a lot smoother. But then that goes back to the fact I put MX-6 shocks on ( 5 or 6 adjustments) and replaced my ahrd beatner springs. If you are stting on your bumpers stops you are in definate need of new ones. Make sure you look at the spring code to make sure you get what you want for the needs of your truck. If you do that your truck should ride very nicely. As for the rating on the tirees E should be fine . A little harder but shouldnt matter that much. You can lower the PSI in them. How much are you riding with now. A lot of people ride their tires at max. No need for that.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Oh yeah . Your old ones were probably pretty shot out. I know mine were flat as can be with nothing to them. I would hit a bump and it felt like I drove through a hole as big as the truck. Especially speed bumps were brutal. I will take the ride of my lifted truck now over the ride I had when new or the old beat up ride
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Don't run your tires at max PSI if you are. Try dropping them 10 psi and see. My 315 BFG's max at 50 and I run em at 40. There is a big diff between 50-40 in the ride. If your stockers run at 80 I would maybe try around 60 and see. When towing a heavy load make see you add some air pressure though.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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I purchased the Bilsteins because they are very highly regarded on this forum. Personal experience isn't panning out to match what others have had to say about them though.
I think the next step is to lift it. If I'm going to have to install springs it may as well go up.
I think the next step is to lift it. If I'm going to have to install springs it may as well go up.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Ok, well I went a little nuts and ordered new axle seals, upper and lower ball joints, a 2" lift, Hellwig rear sway bar, and 4 new rotors/ pads. It's easy to spend this money if the truck rides well afterwards.
FWIW, I don't mind the added dampening effect of the Bilsteins. What I don't like is the new-found lack of stability. When going over bumps it feels as if the truck is going side to side as well as up and down if that makes any sense, almost as if the tires are getting airborn. That and things are now knocking that weren't knocking before yet everything under the truck feels tight. It's a frustrating experience especially when you take into account how much everything for a vehicle this size costs.
FWIW, I don't mind the added dampening effect of the Bilsteins. What I don't like is the new-found lack of stability. When going over bumps it feels as if the truck is going side to side as well as up and down if that makes any sense, almost as if the tires are getting airborn. That and things are now knocking that weren't knocking before yet everything under the truck feels tight. It's a frustrating experience especially when you take into account how much everything for a vehicle this size costs.
Senior User
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I'm not sure it's actually skipping sideways but I would equate the feeling with that of a vehicle skipping sideways.
I ordered an RCD 2" leveling kit. My springs are so worn that I'm really not expecting a lift over what true stock ride height should be.
I ordered an RCD 2" leveling kit. My springs are so worn that I'm really not expecting a lift over what true stock ride height should be.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Mike wh not go with a true suspension lift of 4inches then. A 2in LK willnot raise your truck at all and you will still have to eventually replace those springs. With a package you will get new springs. You also got to remember the X has a long WB and if you are going to fast you will skip a little sideways like a pickup does when you hit a bump.
