Suspension/shock Rough Ride question
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 229
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From: MI
Suspension/shock Rough Ride question
I know this is meant to ride like a truck, but I dont tow that much and theres not much weight in the rear.....What would be some suggestions to lighten up the bumps coming from the rear.....im new to the Ex.....New shocks? Airbags? Springs? as stated I dont need to tow more than 5500k for so, and dont do so that often.....but would like to make the rear not quite so stiff.....thanks in advance.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 783
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From: Nova Scotia
The easiest way would be to flip your rear shackle hangers to make the rear suspension articulate more, therefore shoftening the ride. It will reduce your tongue weight capacity but it sounds like with the weight you are towing, it shouldn't be a problem.
Here's some pics to illustrate the physics...
The first pic is the stock setup. As you can see the spring can only move in it's swing arc a few inches before coming up solid on it's travel limits.
This next pic illustrates the suspension after the hanger/shackle flip. The spring now has much longer travel, providing more articulation of the rear axle and thus a smoother feel. Of course, this will provide additional lift to the rear of your Ex, so if that is not desirable, keep the new shackle length to a minimum and remove the 2" block between the axle and the springs.
Here's some pics to illustrate the physics...
The first pic is the stock setup. As you can see the spring can only move in it's swing arc a few inches before coming up solid on it's travel limits.
This next pic illustrates the suspension after the hanger/shackle flip. The spring now has much longer travel, providing more articulation of the rear axle and thus a smoother feel. Of course, this will provide additional lift to the rear of your Ex, so if that is not desirable, keep the new shackle length to a minimum and remove the 2" block between the axle and the springs.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: MI
first off thanks for the response....
how much lift overall would you say? I dont mind the lift unless its a big difference as I am about 1-2" higher in rear currently. It appears to be factory shocks also.
I believe that the shocks being cold are not traveling much if any while little to no weight in the back. Its not bottoming out....
I dont think it needs more travel (thats my thought only) as when i hit a bump it just seems that there is no travel in the shock and is stiff. by changing the shackles would that put the shock more in the middle of travel capactiy compared to being at one end extended/compressed. If the shocks are bad, would this have this type of problem?
how much lift overall would you say? I dont mind the lift unless its a big difference as I am about 1-2" higher in rear currently. It appears to be factory shocks also.
I believe that the shocks being cold are not traveling much if any while little to no weight in the back. Its not bottoming out....
I dont think it needs more travel (thats my thought only) as when i hit a bump it just seems that there is no travel in the shock and is stiff. by changing the shackles would that put the shock more in the middle of travel capactiy compared to being at one end extended/compressed. If the shocks are bad, would this have this type of problem?
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