I posted on this forum a while ago. Have a 2007 Quad cab 4x4 V8, 33K miles. Had some front end issues with the truck - a wheel bearing and tie rod was replaced. I've had the front shocks replaced under warranty (with stock ones). Recently had rotors turned.

Rear shocks are Rancho (also new). Tires (new BF Goodrinches) balanced many times - including road force balance recently. But the ride quality still really sucks. Feels like its coming from the rear end - kind of like there are not any shocks at all. If the road is not completly smooth the truck shakes like mad over it. Even with a smooth road there is an annoying vibration (rear). Front end (steering wheel shake, etc..) feels Ok.

Last mechanic I took it to said they all drive like that and to take it back when I had a real problem!

Its driving me crazy. What can I try next to smooth out the ride?

 

Its a rough ride John.

The rear solid axle has no weight over it....there is really nothing you can do but add weight to change the ride feel.

When the time comes, get rancho struts in the front, and tighten everything up. It's about the best this truck has to offer.

Also, it sounds like you have found yourself an honest mechanic.

 

You have new BFGs huh? It they are the All-Terrain T/As, K/Os, or M/Ts they are going to be really hard to balance to perfection for these trucks. Ask me how I know. I'm not saying they are bad...it's just the aggressive tread compounds the suspension problems that these trucks are born with. Not to mention, if you have the 17" Chrome Clad Wheels, 90% of the shops don't know....or don't have the correct collars to balance them properly. As one tire store manager told me, "biggest idiot move Chrysler ever made". That seems a stretch, Chrysler has made much bigger idiot moves.

 

If you have money get air bags susspension

 

Tire shops and dealers will make some pretty long-shot excuses. These trucks aren't so weird that a decent shop can't make them ride correctly.

I had incessant, sometimes intense, shaking coming from the rear for a long time. Balancing didn't help. I paid for road force balance, didn't help.

Took it to my local tire shop, ready to battle for a new set of tires. They dismounted the driver rear, and there it was. A bent, wobbly rim. The deformation was visible to the naked eye.

I ordered a new OEM 16" steel, and the problem disappeared. The truck rides as smooth as ever.

A 'rough' ride over bumps is free with the truck. Constant vibration is not. Look into the shape of the rims, not just the tires or balance. This problem drove me nuts for thousands of miles, and it was a great day when it was solved.

 

Thanks all for your input. Was wondering - the Ranchos seemed to make the ride a little rougher in the back. I noticed that immediately over the old, worn, stock ones. Someone on my previous post said this was to be expected. Are there any other makes of rear shock that would give a slightly smoother ride?

 

The only others are Monroes, and I doubt that you'd notice a difference. The problem is not the shocks, it's the springs. They are super heavy duty for these trucks....at least when compared to Rangers / Tacomas / Frontiers / Colorados. None of those trucks can compare when it comes to load and tow ratings.....but it suffers in ride quality. I've heard of people removing the overload spring from the spring pack with good results, but I'm not willing to sacrafice my towing capabilities.

 

It's all relative...I look forward to the ride in my Dakota after spending all day banging around in a 2500

 

All,

Thanks for your inputs. I had them look at it in the shop this week and they spent some time looking at it to try to figure out what was going on. They felt a vibration from the rear bearing - and I had them both replaced. No help. I also had front breaks replaced, new shoes on the back and drums turned. Breaking is really smooth now (no juddering) but that vibration is still there when driving >10 mph. One thing that surprised me was how the back wheels 'wobble' when they had it up on the jack running it. There is quite a bit of back/forth play in both back wheels. They said this is completely normal. They tell me the drive shaft, etc.. is just fine.

One thing is that it doesn't always do it. Occasionally, after a stop, it drives smooth. I know this truck can drive smooth! I stop again or hit a bump in the road and the vibration starts.

Any ideas? Its driving me crazy.