Suspension bushings

[Crusty old shellback]

So I have a 2021 Power Wagon.
I now have 110K miles on it.
I was runnin the Thuren tuned Fox shocks. After about 30K plus miles, I started getting the rocking boat effect.
If you've read my build thread, you know what I went thru trying to rebuild them.
So I replaced them with a set of Bilstein 5100 series shocks and that seemed to fix the problem for the most part.

I finally got the Fox shocks rebuilt and installed them. Only difference is I used 7wt oil vice 5 wt that was in them originally. Maybe a little difference, but didn't think it would make much of a difference.
So after several trips to town with the rebuilt shocks, I have the rocking boat effect again, a little worse than before.

So wondering if maybe the suspension arm bushings might be wore out? If so, how do I check?
Or could it just be the valveing shims in the shocks are wore out?

Gonna order some 5 wt oil and was thinking of ordering the shims too.

Getting ready for a road trip next week, so gonna put the Bilstein shocks back in for the trip .

 

[G Mcpherson]

Maybe Message Don at Thuren. He might be able to give you some more information regarding the Oil wt. or Shims.

 

[dieselscout80]

I would take the load off the suspension and then take a pry bar and see if the joint bushings have lots of movement in them.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Sent Thuren a message.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Got a reply back from Thuren.
Like me, they say the thicker oil should stiffen up the shocks some.
They are as miffed as I am as to why it rocks.

When I get back from my trip, and it warms up, I'll do a close inspection of the bushings. Also thinking of ordering new shim stacks as well.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

So doing more research today, one thing that came up was sway bar end link bushings. So need to look at those. That actually makes more sense since it's body roll.

 

[G Mcpherson]

Is there an Upgrade End Link or is there a better replacement bushing.

 

[whitexc]

Same issue with the Bilsteins installed? You typically get a little clunk when SB end links go bad. Factory sways?


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[Crusty old shellback]

Bilstein was better, but still had sway. Factory swaybar and links.
I heard some loud clunking in the front one time when off road. Just figured it was the front end bottoming out

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Put the rear of the truck on jack stands under the frame. Took off the wheels and let the axle go to full drop.

Swaybar. Ends look ok. There is a little flex in the bar when I push on the ends. Normal?

Looked at the radius arm bushings. Lower arm has a little cracking in the rubber, but not bad.

Couldn't find anything loose. Swapped the Bilstein shocks back in the rear. Fox are still on in front.

Pushing down on both shocks at the same time, the Fox are stiffer. But they worked fine for 30K plus miles.

Going to town tomorrow so will see if there is any difference.

Saturday, I'm going thru the front end.