Topic: A poor ride (Read 6621 times)

Snowman · « **on:** April 14, 2016, 07:42:49 PM »

I have a standard 99 TJ on 31s.
It's always driven quite well, but recently it's just felt a bit uncomfortable.
I've just fitted a hard top, which obviously adds a bit if weight - which may be the cause.

The problem is speed bumps and potholes.
The Jeep just seems to thud through them rather than the suspension absorbing them; there's no smoothness to the ride anymore.

I think this means I should look at new shocks or springs or tyre pressure.
Any suggestions about what to check or what to change?

isle of man · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2016, 07:45:08 PM »

OME is your friend !!

Snowman · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2016, 04:11:55 PM »

It is?
Could anyone elaborate please?

UKJeeper · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2016, 04:28:02 PM »

Quote from: Snowman on April 15, 2016, 04:11:55 PM

It is?
Could anyone elaborate please?

Old Man Emu. Aussie company that sells suspension bits:

http://www.arbil.co.uk/4x4/shop/old-man-emu-suspension/jeep/wrangler-tj/

An expensive 'friend', IMO. Unless you're minted and living on the IOM perhaps.... ;-) £120 per shock.

A bit further down the budget scale is Rough Country, for instance:

http://www.llama4x4.com/page3.htm

At a 3rd to 1/2 the price of OME

Snowman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2016, 05:31:49 PM »

So, from what I've said you think it's shocks rather than springs, or anything else.

wildwood · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2016, 05:41:00 PM »

Springs get softer with age....more compliant.
Shocks will be the culprit and maybe some decayed rubber suspension bushes and anti roll bar bushes that you can get Poly kits for to firm up that prob.

Control arms might be worn as well.....

And the list goes on......

Just work through it gradually and slowly.....

Dtimot8 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2016, 06:38:48 PM »

Quote from: wildwood on April 15, 2016, 05:41:00 PM

Springs get softer with age....more compliant.
Shocks will be the culprit and maybe some decayed rubber suspension bushes and anti roll bar bushes that you can get Poly kits for to firm up that prob.

Control arms might be worn as well.....

And the list goes on......

Just work through it gradually and slowly.....

or one could say welcome to jeep ownership

I can't see its the top though as i have switched between hard and soft tops with no difference

I'd go with Jez

Hillbilly · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2016, 07:52:17 PM »

I would have thought shocks as well, although there are so many other possibilities. Where abouts do you live.

JamesH · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2016, 08:11:12 PM »

The difference between Old Man Emu and Rough Country is pretty noticeable though - OME tune the shock to the vehicle and consider higher speed outback travel. Rough Country just supply a shock to work with a lift kit and sometime it will be the same shock for a big Yank pickup as on a fairly light weight Jeep. If you are watching the budget maybe pick bilstein, Monroe, Koni perhaps.

bgbazz · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2016, 08:23:42 PM »

James speaks a lot of sense...especially if you're on a budget. I ran Monroes on my Nissan Patrol (around the 3 ton mark) for over 8 years and never had a problem, or any sort of 'iffy' ride. The first thing I did for my VW Golf Estate 4WD, was fit a set of Monroes, all round. Given the state of roads over here, it feels as tight as the proverbial....

Snowman · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2016, 09:03:28 PM »

Quote from: Hillbilly on April 15, 2016, 07:52:17 PM

I would have thought shocks as well, although there are so many other possibilities. Where abouts do you live.

I live in Rugby.

Dave69 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2016, 04:31:16 PM »

you dont save money buying rough country, it delays the purchase of better quality kit.

Monroe are the branded shocks for ford IIRC

bgbazz · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2016, 05:43:44 PM »

Monroe are the branded shocks for ford IIRC

Not quite sure what that means, but I put them on the rear of my KJ and they performed fine. Made the mistake of fitting Gabriels to the front...never again!

isle of man · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2016, 07:08:09 PM »

And so we come full circle, OME is the way to go.

suppersready · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2016, 07:22:35 PM »

No lift ? ..... Buy original equipment, built for the job and loads cheaper than OME. Deffo check your lower and upper front control arm bushes as I had the same issue although mine are aftermarket with poly bushings.

wildwood · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2016, 07:24:47 PM »

Don't laugh.... ProComp

Seriously though.....they have some adjustable shocks.....small knurled wheel on the body

Available in 3 lengths
With a choice of soft med and hard

For the front of the 1 Tonne I have their longest in the softest choice and have them at the softest setting..... They ride great
On the back I have Ranchos and they are ....sh**

Cost £70 each I seem to remember.....

suppersready · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2016, 08:16:36 PM »

I thought ProComp had wrapped up years ago ... where did you buy from ?

isle of man · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2016, 08:30:03 PM »

Quote from: suppersready on April 16, 2016, 08:16:36 PM

I thought ProComp had wrapped up years ago ... where did you buy from ?

True.... exited the UK many years ago, cheap for a reason !!

wildwood · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2016, 09:04:01 PM »

Bought them the last year they were in UK.....2002 maybe.......

Still yet to burst them..... And under the 1 Tonne since May 2011...... Can't be bad.?..

isle of man · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2016, 09:25:16 PM »

Rust like foooooook, built like they eat burgers and the bushes are made of the stuff that runs down a woman leg after child birth !!

Need I say more ??

Obarno · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2016, 06:10:12 PM »

Have you thought about Trailmaster? They do a range specifically for the TJ and are available in comfort and sport ranges. The comfort ones would be fine. They are made in Germany, good quality and not too expensive.

Snowman · « **Reply #21 on:** April 18, 2016, 09:44:02 AM »

"Sport"
That's a word I never thought I'd hear applied to a TJ.

wildwood · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2016, 04:44:36 PM »

Quote from: isle of man on April 16, 2016, 09:25:16 PM

Rust like foooooook, built like they eat burgers and the bushes are made of the stuff that runs down a woman leg after child birth !!

Need I say more ??

:hysterical:looks like I'll be getting the yellow paint in the gun before Breakout then

Snowman · « **Reply #23 on:** July 07, 2016, 03:45:40 PM »

Holy thread resurrection Batman.
Ok, I've decided on a set of new shocks.
I'll probably change all 4 as I like to keep things matched, and I'll probably go for one of the better quality sets.

But - I'm having trouble finding someone local to fit them.
Can anyone recommend anywhere is the Rugby/Coventry area?
Or does anyone know a decent mobile mechanic?
What sort of price should I be paying g for fitment?

Thanks.

wildwood · « **Reply #24 on:** July 07, 2016, 03:51:48 PM »

Could be done in an hour with luck on your side or 4 hours if all is totally fubar

So two hrs labour

Or 4 hrs labour....l.

That's Jeeps for you.....

Author Topic: A poor ride (Read 6621 times)

Snowman

Snowman

UKJeeper

Snowman

Dtimot8

Snowman

suppersready

suppersready

Obarno

Snowman

Snowman