What's going on with my suspension???

[miketilley]

Just had the tape measure out on the truck. I've measured from the bottom of the rear wheel arch to the top of the tyre and the near side rear seems to be about 1 1/2 inches lower than the off side.

Now is this because the fuel tank is on the near side (about half full at the mo) or is my rear suspension worn and in need of replacement (trucks done about 60K miles)?

Cheers

[marky]

You measure from bottom edge of wheel arch to centre of hub.

[miketilley]

Hmmmm....Have just measured from the bottom of the wheel arch to the hub and there's still just under 1 inch difference? Also, when you eye it up from the back it doesn't look level??

[Silversurfer]

Hmmmm....Have just measured from the bottom of the wheel arch to the hub and there's still just under 1 inch difference? Also, when you eye it up from the back it doesn't look level??

Mine was like that until I changed the rear springs for Milners uprated ones.
The original Toyota springs were way too soft and had sagged about 2" but unlike yours it was the drivers side that was slightly lower. I just put this down to both the weight of the fuel tank and the fact that there was mainly only the driver so the spring on that side was always carrying more load.
Since renewing the springs the truck sits level.

[AndyLala]

Check you haven't got a broken spring... it does happen... very rare, but it does happen.

[TonyN]

Just had the tape measure out on the truck. I've measured from the bottom of the rear wheel arch to the top of the tyre and the near side rear seems to be about 1 1/2 inches lower than the off side.

Now is this because the fuel tank is on the near side (about half full at the mo) or is my rear suspension worn and in need of replacement (trucks done about 60K miles)?

Cheers

Go on a diet! :wink: seriously, they all sag at the rear, and most more on the drivers side, as has been said, the fuel tank and driver are always on that side. Could be someone has messed with the front torsion bars, or they have sagged but its usually the rear springs. Just choose between uprated Milners springs or 2" lift springs from Roughtrax, LA Supertrux or Procomp.

[AndyLala]

good call on the torsion bars.Drivers side has the hand brake cable guide... if the torsion bars have been wound up, the drivers side will stop at the guide. Passenger guide will go a little further. Always wind up the drivers side to the desired height... then do the passenger side to match...

Or put a large crease in the drivers side ( ), and wind away... to your hearts content...

[miketilley]

Thanks for the help guys....except for the diet comment, ahem! I think you'll find I'm a good weight for my height



Just to clear up some points....

The first thing is that it's a 3rd Gen so no torsion bars just coils all round. The fuel tank is on the passenger side which is the side that is sitting lower. Have checked the springs and none broken. One other thing is that I've always heard a funny knocking noise from that side when going over bumps, I don't know if that would have anything to do with it??

Cheers

[dirtydog]

knocking noise? bushes perhaps? just seen mine are shot and make a knocking noise.

[AndyLala]

3rd gen no torsion bars absolutely right... doh!

knocking noises, might be loose shocks... and loose/degraded bushes as already mentioned.

Might be worth checking all your nipples with a grease gun...!