Replaced Shocks and suspension is smooshy

[MaximaGuy]

I replaced the shocks on my Highlander with KYB shocks and the first 3k miles the suspension was strong but now I see a lot of movement and the ride is painful.

Did an alignment since the shocks were replaced,

Any ideas why there would be play in the suspension.

 

[spasm3]

Sometimes the other weak links show up after a strut/shock change. Like ball joints, swaybar and endlink bushings. I have used kyb struts and i find them to be a stiffer/harder ride than oem.

 

[Oro_O]

Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
I see a lot of movement and the ride is painful.


Which vehicle, and how many miles on it?

I have a Lexus ES and replacing the shocks w/o replacing the rear springs was pointless. They very soft to begin with and do not last into higher miles. "Movement" was the key; do you mean when driving, or if you try the bounce test?

 

[Kool1]

I also have a 2006 Toyota Highlander and replaced the struts with KYB. Did you get the KYB's made in Japan or Taiwan? I had KYB Taiwan struts in my Honda CRV and they leaked along with a soft ride. The KYB's in my Highlander are made in Japan and have been tight with no leaks for about 5 years. I believe the country of origin will determine longevity and problems.

 

[spasm3]

Did you replace the front strut bearing/mount?

 

[The Critic]

If they're the black Excel-G units, I am not surprised. I have experienced similar issues on a number of vehicles with the recent KYBs.

I only use Genuine Toyota shocks (or Genuine from the dealer) for this reason. The pricing is considerably more, but at least the results are predictable.

 

[MaximaGuy]

I got the Excel-GR made in Japan shocks and replaced the boots retaining the rest of the hardware like mounts etc. I replaced it with 140K on the odometer on my Highlander.

I have bought the same for my Maxima and they lasted very very very well compared to junk Nissan OEM stuff.

One the price was less $105 vs $190 wrt Toyota brand and also the OEM shock had a larger piston and much heavier compared to the KYB's. That was quite obvious but I installed the KYBs anyway thinking technology has changed to have smaller pistons over the past decade. Also, the SUV is like a tank unlike anything I have driven, my car seems much forgiving on bumps, the replay on the SUV is quite obvious.

The ride is so soft my kids are getting nauseated in the back of the vehicle.

Tire rack has asked me to send the pictures of the sway bar bushings which I will do to determine the problem.

It sucks to spend 2 days on this and get a soft ride, replacing the fronts was a breeze, the rears, OMG it was a PITA.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

You should've gotten quick struts, if they're available for your car

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
You should've gotten quick struts, if they're available for your car

Then he would have even more issues. Possibly Incorrect spring rates, junky offshore mounts, generic boots that don't fit correctly.

If you go on Iatn, which is a forum where professionals actually repair cars on a daily basis and have to be accountable for the work they do....you'll get universal agreement that those quick strut units are just utter garbage.