[Skiller1nc]

40k miles ago I changed out all my suspension. I added bilstein 4600 and 4x4 parts light duty coils up front and ARB 1 inch OME rear lifted springs and bilstein 5100 to the rear. I assumed the suspension would settle in and this gave it 40k before posting this. I'm not running armor or bumpers.

From day 1 the suspension has been terrible. The car doesn't flex, if you hit a bump the entire car goes up with it. Damping is good however, after the bump the car steadies quickly. I've done a 6k mile road trip and offroading in Moab with a fully packed car and 2 passengers thinking maybe I just needed more weight. That didn't help either. The car is just jarring like there is no suspension at all. The car squeaks front and rear, rattles like a tin can and shakes so bad on dirt or gravel that I think all the bolts will fall out, bit this isn't my main concern and is probably just due to the suspension. I've had different tires, i don't think that's the issue either.

It should note I changed the suspension myself however I've rechecked it all 2 times, about 1k after install and about 20k later.

I've so seen dmskis thread and will possibly try that when I get some time.

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tlrtucker]

Did you torque everything down while it was still jacked up off the ground? Things with bushings like control arms and leaf springs (not u bolts) should be torqued with all four tires on the ground. If you torqued them down you're basically preloading the suspension which can cause issues like you're describing. But to me it sounds like you have HD springs in the rear. Xterra's don't exactly have a plush ride, but it shouldn't be that harsh.

 

[Skiller1nc]

Did you torque everything down while it was still jacked up off the ground? Things with bushings like control arms and leaf springs (not u bolts) should be torqued with all four tires on the ground. If you torqued them down you're basically preloading the suspension which can cause issues like you're describing. But to me it sounds like you have HD springs in the rear. Xterra's don't exactly have a plush ride, but it shouldn't be that harsh.

Yeah everything was loose with car suspended and then torqued to spec on the ground minus u bolts

 

[Ssanders224]

Kind of the nature of the beast, especially if you add heavier springs without adding weight.

The front shouldn't really squeak, that's probably curable.
However, the OME springs and bushings are going to squeak, and probably pop from time to time. You can grease them, spray them with lubricant, etc.. etc... but you'll be fighting an ongoing battle.

I have 600lb extended travel radflos up front, 3" lift, +400lb Alcans with PRG shackles and 5125s in the rear, and it rides terribly on rough gravel roads. Like you said, feels like it's going to shake the truck apart at times. Short wheelbase, heavy springs, and short travel = rough ride.

 

[Lowcountry idn]

So I am not familiar with those coils - but if you used stock 4600's you might be restricting their travel or they just might be valved poorly for whatever spring rate you have? I have 4600's on the front with stock rated Moog springs and I liked it much better than stock when the moog springs were new. I wouldn't recommend the moog springs however, because they wear out pretty quick - like 30K miles quick.

For the rear - might be the same issue. I also have 5100's - but there on stock springs with Hellwigs. Seem to be good there as well but again, I am at stock height, You have a heavier spring.

 

[Skiller1nc]

I just want to update everyone. I found my problem and I'm shook. I decided to pull the coilovers off to check them out and see if anything looked wrong. Well. The top plate bushing has disintegrated and the bolt has worn the hole into a channel. These top plates/bushings/springs/shocks had 40k miles on them.

 

[Tlrtucker]

Yikes

 

[Skiller1nc]

You're telling me

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