Harsh Ride

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Apr 19, 2009 | 09:33 PM

notiones

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: NE Kansas

Harsh Ride

I've had trucks all of my life, but this has got to be the roughest ride of all of them. Starting at about 64 mph the ride starts to get pretty bad. It feels a little like my tires are out of balance. After about 4 hours at highway speeds, my eyeballs have just about rattled out of my head. Also, if the wind is blowing I really have to fight to keep it on the road. The wind just seems to blow me all over the place.

Corrective measures taken - I replaced the tires with Michelin LTX M+S 10 ply, which are on steel rims. I run about 65lbs pressure when I am not hauling, and 75 lbs when carrying a load. I replaced the shocks with a nice (i.e. expensive) Bilstein. I have a fresh alignment and a camber adjustment kit installed. I have had the tires balanced three times in the last 15K miles (every third oil change).

I've run about 20K miles in the last 2 months and its starting to wear on me.

Apr 19, 2009 | 10:48 PM

rideracelivemx7

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does it vibrate? or is it just terrible highways in your area? might want to look into replacing front leaf springs, i heard it does wonders, about 150 a side for stock weight rating, im not sure about you but mine rides great at 65+ on highways

Apr 19, 2009 | 10:53 PM

helifixer

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Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Chino Valley, Arizona

ten ply tires with 65 pounds of air have no give in the side wall! you will feel every bump in the road, also has someone replaced the cab mounts with the energy suspension mounts? I put those in a customers truck and you could feel it when you ran over an ant, those things are the most miserable things ever made if ride means anything to you.
also a lot of shops bend steel rims with the old style tire machines, and no mater how many times you balance them they are still bent.

Apr 19, 2009 | 10:56 PM

pjwoolw

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From: San Ramon Ca.

I'd look at replacement springs and bushings. Shocks, pivot bushings. Run at 55 psi normally and 65 in the rears only loaded depending on the load. Likely your metal to metal on bushings and need new springs. I just replaced all my springs and bushings (poly) and the ride is stiff but not as harsh. Adding to what Fixer mentioned new rims may be in order.

Last edited by pjwoolw; Apr 19, 2009 at 11:00 PM. Reason: Addition

Apr 19, 2009 | 11:13 PM

notiones

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: NE Kansas

Sounds like I have received some good info to start with, though I am going to hold off on replacing the bushings for now. I will go with poly when I do though. I like the idea of reducing the tire pressure and replacing the rims, though the latter is quite expensive. $200 each from what I've seen so far. I'm not sure the truck is worth that. I would just cut my losses, but I have too much into it at this point.

Last edited by notiones; Apr 19, 2009 at 11:19 PM. Reason: new post changed response