Bottoming out

JSB said:

I just traded my 4runner in on a 06 Pathfinder. I've got 500 miles on it, and I noticed this on the trip home with no one in the back seats. I assumed it was due to the softer suspension. My 4runner did this until I put some progressive springs on it. It cracks me up though, because first I knew more about the pathfinder than the salesman, and second he kept saying how much smoother this was to my 4runner. I told him twice that my 4runner actually had a smoother feel to it. It's hard to explain. My 4runner rebounded quicker which to some people might be rough. My Pathfinder SLAMS the bump stops all the time, probably due to softer springs, which to me is more rough. I'd take short/quick rebounds any day over this. Any idea where I can find some springs, and spacers perhaps.

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Interesting, I've pulled my camper and never experienced hitting the bump stops. Either has other's pulling bigger and heavier campers than mine. Perhaps these are isolated instances where only something minor is the cause. BTW, the springs AREN'T softer than a 4Runners. I've talked to many with new 4Runners and they exibit a lot of sag when hitched up to their camper. Mine exibits a bit, but nothing out of the norm. The 4Runners now have an air bag suspension option in certain markets. Obviously to compensate for the soft springs. My market doesn't have that option. Just another reason why I hate Toyota's decision to only offer certain options in certain markets. GM's Envoy and Trailblazer are also noted for their overly soft springs and also have an air bag option to compensate. Their option at least is available to everyone.

Perhaps the truck isn't hitting the bump stops. Can you explain what your experiencing. Perhaps it's something else that seems to be bottoming.

Hope you get it figured out, have a good one.

Scooter426 said:

My 2005 LE is on the shop right now for this very problem. It is sprung a bit softer thatn the OR SE version. The dealer will look into the problem, but they do not sound like they have a fix. I plan to switch to the SE OR springs/shocks and add RS9000 Rancho shocks (when available). I do a tremendous amount of offroad driving and need the truck to work in that environment. Last week I drove almost 1000 miles offroad with the LE. I work on remote high altitude radar sites.

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All the Pathfinders use the same springs. The only difference is the OR shocks aren't as stiff and will absorb shock better at the expense of a more controlled and damped ride. In other words, the truck will bounce more so that the shock isn't transferred to you. Had the OR shocks on my previous Titan. No shock but plenty of bouncing. Bad for on road but awesome for off road. If the majority of your driving is on road, the standard SE shock will be more of a benefit. I add the OR skid plates and have the best of both worlds. I really disliked the all season tires on the OR versions of the Titan and Pathfinder. They are not off road tires. When I get new tires, I'll put on Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos, as I did on my previous Xterra.

Still have no idea what you guys are talking about with bottoming. Perhaps you're not use to a truck suspension, that gets stiffer on rougher surfaces? If you're use to only driving crossovers (cars), cars, or minivans, driving a truck will be shock to your system, pardon the pun.

Have a good one.

For the record, I have a SE that doesn't have the shock absorbing, bouncy off road shocks. Had them on the last Titan, and didn't want them again. They just bounced a lot, sucking up all shock but taking handling with it.

The SE has a bit more suspension shock on 'certain' terrains but handles very well off road by not transferring shock to the vehicle and maintaining handling.

I towed a camper with a tongue weight of 400 lbs on the back and never had any bottoming out. I now tow a camper with a tongue weight of 300 lbs, but also load about 250 lbs behind the second row seats, plus usually have second row seat passengers that are another 250 lbs. So I have 800 lbs of load from the second seat and behind and never had any bottoming out even on crappy, pothole riddled, campground roads. I don't use a weight distribution hitch, just a standard weight carrying hitch.

My standard suspension, opposed to an off road suspension, isn't as forgiving and is reminiscent of a true truck suspension by being stiff. You will feel shock on 'certain' terrains that you will not with an off road suspension, mainly the difference in the type of shocks.

So perhaps what you guys are feeling is shock related and not suspension. Have you checked to see if the shocks were leaking??

Have a good one.