bad front suspension components?

[phil frost]

Truck: 2018 Power Wagon with 1.5" Thuren level kit. Going over rough patches of road I get what feels like excessive "bounce" under the front end. Feels like there is some suspension components.

Replaced: Drag link (Synergy), track bar (Thuren) and tie rod (Synergy). Ensured proper torque and retorque at suggested miles.

Still getting this issue. I've also had the drivers side front shock (FOX) go bad.

Any chance that one, or both, front coils are bad? Thoughts? I've literally been through everything up front, checked bearings, ball joints, u-joints etc. everything is solid.

thanks for any insight you can give.

 

[2020PW]

Put it back to stock and see how it is. The PW is already level

 

[phil frost]

thinking about that. Mine wasn't level though. and I am also running 37" tires so they may not fit back to stock height.

 

[SeppW]

Send a note to Thuren, he may some insight and help with troubleshooting. He's pretty knowledgeable on these platforms. You said a Fox shock went bad, was it replaced with same brand/model/valving? I'm thinking shocks. Unless you're romping and thrashing it, the shocks should be smoothing out the ride and keeping the wheels in contact with surface.

 

[phil frost]

yep Fox replaced them. had the same issue. I even tried a different brand only to have the same issue. I am also looking into alignment specs... since I recently replaced the tie rod, drag link and track bar, I had an alignment shop realign the truck. I am checking those specs against what Thuren recommends... particularly, Caster.

I also have an issue with a clicking sounds in my steering column (outside of the cab). Turns out the bearings in lower steering column are going bad, perhaps a flat spot.

 

[Mister Luck]

Tire pressure ?

 

[Dinky]

I would say shocks. Spring typically do not go bad unless the break. When and if they wear down they will compress and not have near the spring attributes. Did you order the thuren fox shocks with the springs?

 

[thkbaron]

Sorry maybe I missed this.......are they Thuren's specially valved shocks that go with their springs?

 

[phil frost]

Sorry maybe I missed this.......are they Thuren's specially valved shocks that go with their springs?

No sir. Just the Fox 2.0 shocks they offer to go with the 1.5" lift.

Tire pressure ?

Running 37" tires, but have them set to 45 psi cold. they get up to around 52 psi when warmer and after driving.

 

[phil frost]

I would say shocks. Spring typically do not go bad unless the break. When and if they wear down they will compress and not have near the spring attributes. Did you order the thuren fox shocks with the springs?

I thought so. I figured a bad spring would cause sag. Wasn't sure if anyone ever has a spring go bad as I never had, so I figured I'd ask. The fox shocks came from Thuren with the springs.

 

[phil frost]

I have been emailing with Andrew from Thuren over the last day. He's been helping me to out and has been super cool to work with. One thing I have not re-checked, which I will today, is the track bar torque... supposed to be 215 ft lbs. I'll crawl under this morning to ensure they are still torqued correctly. - figures, it snowed overnight and is 29 degrees, and the PW doesn't fit into the garage. LOL

And thanks to you all who have responded to my post... much appreciated.

Hope ya'll have a wonderful Easter Sunday.

 

[phil frost]

Just in from the cold. Checked torque on the trackbar... both mounting bolts are over 215 ft lbs, so that is not it. Feeling like it has to be something stupid at this point, since I have checked everything I can think of.

The only other thing I have been thinking about are all of the radius arm bushings, which I doubt would be the issue. But could "justify" going to a 4 link setup. ; )

Dodge Off Road

 

[crash68]

Have you tried rotating the tires? or raising the air pressure in the tires?

 

[phil frost]

Have you tried rotating the tires? or raising the air pressure in the tires?

Yes sir. I rotate my tires every 3k miles. Have had this issue for quite some time now. Current milage ~62k miles.

I had higher tire pressure which made it worse.

 

[Mister Luck]

Running 37" tires, but have them set to 45 psi cold. they get up to around 52 psi when warmer and after and after driving.

I have my 33s re balanced at every rotation now.
I believe 37s would be significantly more unsprung weight per corner but in addition to what the rim material weight.

 

[Dinky]

Have you checked your ball joints?

 

[Grand Mesa]

Years ago I was running some new replacement Bridgestone LT steel belted radial tires (sold under a Sears name as Roadhandler LT tires) on our fairly new 1984 GMC 4x4. They balanced out fine, but the hidden steel belts under the tread were separating causing vibration. It occurred on several of the tires. I finally noticed the separation due one was splitting wide open between the tread blocks.

Bad Tire Belt Symptoms - Signs You Should Never Ignore

Have your tires been a nuisance lately, with the loud noises and a not-so-smooth drive? Maybe it is time for you to check your tires because although they appear fine, there can be problems with the…

www.tireforge.com

 

[Big_Papa_R]

Just a thought. That track bar is adjustable? If it's was the drivers side giving you issues. Check the length on the track bar. Did it come out of adjustment. Look at the front of your truck. Does it look like the axle is further to the ds or ps then the other.

 

[phil frost]

Have you checked your ball joints?

Yep, all good and tight, no play.

Years ago I was running some new replacement Bridgestone LT steel belted radial tires (sold under a Sears name as Roadhandler LT tires) on our fairly new 1984 GMC 4x4. They balanced out fine, but the hidden steel belts under the tread were separating causing vibration. It occurred on several of the tires. I finally noticed the separation due one was splitting wide open between the tread blocks.

Bad Tire Belt Symptoms - Signs You Should Never Ignore

Have your tires been a nuisance lately, with the loud noises and a not-so-smooth drive? Maybe it is time for you to check your tires because although they appear fine, there can be problems with the…

www.tireforge.com

I was having this issue with my 35's quite some time ago, then with the 37" Maxis Razr's and now with the 37" Cooper STT's. So I'm fairly confident it's not tire related. Thanks though.

Just a thought. That track bar is adjustable? If it's was the drivers side giving you issues. Check the length on the track bar. Did it come out of adjustment. Look at the front of your truck. Does it look like the axle is further to the ds or ps then the other.

Yep, fully adjustable trackbar. I will definitely check for that. Thanks.

 

[Dinky]

@phil frost

Tough to say. I would trying bolting on another set of shocks and double check your tires. How are the swaybar ends?