Rear shocks gone bad????

AAG · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 881 Location: Dallas, TX

I've had my TRD springs installed for about 5k miles now, but as of lately, the rear tends to bottom out in areas I never had(like my driveway). It only happens when I have passengers in the rear too.

Does anyone else have this problem??? Would new shocks help in my situation? I'm sure I would need something better than stock OEM, but I don't want to pay for the overpriced TRD shocks :nope:.

renegade4x4 · Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 17

your shocks arent bad remember the lowering springs make it easier to scrape and with extra weight it makes it even worse. shocks control the movement speed they dont affect the bottoming out much.

AAG · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 881 Location: Dallas, TX

It only recently started though.....First 4 months I never had this problem & it looks like the rear sags quite a bit more when I have passengers now.

Does anyone know if I can order only the rear TRD shocks or if another company sells aftermarket shocks?

Anyone think it could be something else wrong?

al74dart · Posted: 6/13/08 7:14PM Post subject:

Renegade4X4 is correct. When new springs are installed you will have one hight but after they have some time/miles on them they settle in at a lower hight. Have you ever seen some of those old cars that really sag in the rear? New shocks are not going to raise them unless you get air or gas filled shocks to give it a little lift. I am afraid that if you go with new shocks you won't see much difference. I spent 1/2 a day searching for after market shocks for the rear but no joy. I even removed one of mine to get the exact measurements to try and cross reference it but nothing close. I called or emailed all the big shock companies that make after market performance shocks and was told the same thing, maybe later. Even the company that makes them for Toyota was no help. You might be able to find some after market rear springs that are about the same hight or a little taller but STIFFER to replace what you have now. Just be sure to take into account that they will loose a little hight after they break in too.

Al

al74dart · Posted: 6/13/08 7:27PM Post subject:

Renegade4X4 is correct. When new springs are installed you will have one hight but after they have some time/miles on them they settle in at a lower hight. Have you ever seen some of those old cars that really sag in the rear? New shocks are not going to raise them unless you get air or gas filled shocks to give it a little lift. I am afraid that if you go with new shocks you won't see much difference. I spent 1/2 a day searching for after market shocks for the rear but no joy. I even removed one of mine to get the exact measurements to try and cross reference it but nothing close. I called or emailed all the big shock companies that make after market performance shocks and was told the same thing, maybe later. Even the company that makes them for Toyota was no help. You might be able to find some after market rear springs that are about the same hight or a little taller but STIFFER to replace what you have now. Just be sure to take into account that they will loose a little hight after they break in too.

Al

AAG · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 881 Location: Dallas, TX

yeah I think stiffer shocks are what I need. I too have looked EVERYWHERE & no one carries any. I guess I'll have to cough up the dough for the TRD set soon.....

XD40tC · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 1979 Location: South Jersey

The TRD set doesnt really seem overpriced to me. Its definitely worth it Im sure.

_ecobox08_ · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 28

well i think 450 for shocks is a lil steep, especially since i heard that trd shocks only like trd springs.

AAG · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 881 Location: Dallas, TX

Anyone know if there will be any aftermarket shocks available any time soon? I really believe my shocks are blown but I don't really want to spend $400 for the TRD ones.

I'll more than likely be placing an order for them today though so I can change them out this weekend.

CIONIDE · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 2440 Location: Napa, CA

I saw someone that had Monroe Sensa-Tracs; they're not hi-performance aftermarket shocks, but I'd think they would be better (and probably less expensive) than new OEM Toyota shocks, or the blown ones you're on now.

AAG · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 881 Location: Dallas, TX

Cionide where can you get them at? I just called my bro who usually gets a really good discount an toyota parts and they wanted $450 for them......Way too much for some shocks.

CIONIDE · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 2440 Location: Napa, CA

Sorry AAG, I did some checking and realized it was swartzautoman with an xB1 using Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks spec'd for a Toyota Echo. Unfortunately Monroe doesn't make them for our xB yet.

AAG · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 881 Location: Dallas, TX

Nor does anyone else which is BS! We have all these companies that have lowering springs and other mods for our rides, but not ONE aftermarket company can make shocks for this thing?? :eyebrow:

whartman77 · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 39

Hey, I am new to the forum since I just recently got the new XB for myself and already have new wheels on order, but have the handling goodies OTHER than the shocks from TRD installed.

I personally disagree with the statement that shocks won't help bottoming out; I owned a dodge dakota that was lowered 4" in the rear and with stock shocks it would bottom EASY. Once I upgraded to a stiffer shock I hardly every bottomed unless it was under a constant/heavier load or going over tons of bumps that are in a line.

However after having the TRD springs for a couple weeks now I have noticed the settled height and also a little looser ride than when I first had the springs installed. And with new wheels/tires being added to the mix I will probably be in the search for new stiffer shocks to help or in the meantime putting the stock rear springs in (go A-team van...)

AAG · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 881 Location: Dallas, TX

Let us know if you find some! I'm still waiting for someone to answer my :pray:...

That or TRD to drop their ridiculous price but either way it doesn't look good right now :tap:

NoLimitzInd · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 2155 Location: Arizona

If your shocks where blown then it would bounce alot and really sway. I have a feeling, they are not blown, but settling with your springs. I think a stiffer shock would help you alot. The best thing to do is measure the shock, both collapsed and fully extended and head to your local parts store. You can go through there shock books and see if you can find any that meet your measurements. They might be made for a bigger car or a small truck. Meaning they are going to be stiffer. Hopefully that helps some.

whartman77 · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 39

Nolimitzind is right, the shocks are pretty standard looking, so I think a good measurement will tell you what you need. Probably just not seeing any in the aftermarket because the companies haven't uploaded new catalogs or added the scion stuff yet. Kinda hard to believe, but I ran into a few companies that didn't even have scion on their lists yet!