Tires or Shocks causing jarring

N

Norm

Guest

• Nov 22, 2003

• #1

Need advice. Not a car expert.

Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles. Continue
to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.

At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall, the
ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a curb
straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).

I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same time
some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.

We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.

We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve the
ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out what is
causing the stiff ride.

Thanks for any suggestions.

--
Please send email to: nwhiii at yahoo dot com

 

R

Roger Brown

Guest

• Nov 22, 2003

• #2

Norm wrote:
>
> Need advice. Not a car expert.
>
> Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles. Continue
> to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.
>
> At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall, the
> ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a curb
> straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).
>
> I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same time
> some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.
>
> We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
> 205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.
>
> We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve the
> ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out what is
> causing the stiff ride.

Likely the shocks, but what pressure are you running the tires at? Could be the shop filled them to 50 psi (or whatever) and that led to a harsh ride.

--
Roger

 

J

Jerry Bransford

Guest

• Nov 22, 2003

• #3

If the tires aren't aired up too high, it's the shocks. What is the air
pressure in the tires?

The shop may have installed gas shocks which on Jeeps, are usally
responsible for a rough ride. A very good riding shock is the Doetsch Tech
DT-3000 which is hydraulic, which for a Jeep, is generally a better riding
choice for a Jeep with leaf springs.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

"Norm" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Need advice. Not a car expert.
>
> Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles. Continue
> to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.
>
> At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall, the
> ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a curb
> straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).
>
> I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same time
> some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.
>
> We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
> 205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.
>
> We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve the
> ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out what is
> causing the stiff ride.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> --
> Please send email to: nwhiii at yahoo dot com

 

L

Lon Stowell

Guest

• Nov 22, 2003

• #4

Approximately 11/22/03 06:22, Norm uttered for posterity:

> Need advice. Not a car expert.
>
> Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles. Continue
> to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.
>
> At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall, the
> ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a curb
> straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).
>
> I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same time
> some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.
>
> We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
> 205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.
>
> We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve the
> ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out what is
> causing the stiff ride.

My guess would be the Monroe shocks. They now have a division
called Rancho for their offroad shocks. They have adjustable
versions complete with incab adjust, but even those are a bit
stiff....the adjustments are labelled from 1 brick to 9 bricks.
Personally I like them, but many folks consider them much too
bricklike.

Those Michelins are now the LTX M+S if memory serves. Good road
and mild rough trail tires, very smooth. They do have a bit of
slap on an abrupt bump, mainly due to having heavy armor in the
form of unbreakable steel belts under the tread.

If you like good highway and offroad shocks, check out the Edelbrock
IAS inertia sensitive shocks. They improve on road performance but
soften when hit with a hard bump.

--
Still a Raiders fan, but no longer sure why.

 

N

Norm

Guest

• Nov 22, 2003

• #5

In article <[email protected]>,
Roger Brown <[email protected]> wrote:

> Norm wrote:
> >
> > Need advice. Not a car expert.
> >
> > Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles. Continue
> > to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.
> >
> > At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall, the
> > ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a curb
> > straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).
> >
> > I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same time
> > some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.
> >
> > We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
> > 205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.
> >
> > We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve the
> > ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out what is
> > causing the stiff ride.
>
> Likely the shocks, but what pressure are you running the tires at? Could be
> the shop filled them to 50 psi (or whatever) and that led to a harsh ride.


Thanks for the responses.

To those asking about tire pressure. They are usually at 35 psi or so.
So don't think it is over inflation causing the problem.

For some reason, the Jeep is not nearly as smooth riding on in town
streets as it was with the OEM shocks and tires. We don't use it
off-road at all at this point. So trying to figure out whether I should
look at tires or shocks as the problem or perhaps it is just the aging
of the overall suspension. Not knowing how a car's suspension ages.

Thanks.

--
Please send email to: nwhiii at yahoo dot com

 

J

Jerry Bransford

Guest

• Nov 22, 2003

• #6

35 psi is still a bit high, I'd try 31 or so, maybe 33 but only when it's
fully loaded. Shocks would be the thing to try after lowering the air
pressure down.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

"Norm" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Roger Brown <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Norm wrote:
> > >
> > > Need advice. Not a car expert.
> > >
> > > Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles.
Continue
> > > to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.
> > >
> > > At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall, the
> > > ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a
curb
> > > straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).
> > >
> > > I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same
time
> > > some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.
> > >
> > > We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
> > > 205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.
> > >
> > > We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve
the
> > > ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out what
is
> > > causing the stiff ride.
> >
> > Likely the shocks, but what pressure are you running the tires at?
Could be
> > the shop filled them to 50 psi (or whatever) and that led to a harsh
ride.
>
>
> Thanks for the responses.
>
> To those asking about tire pressure. They are usually at 35 psi or so.
> So don't think it is over inflation causing the problem.
>
> For some reason, the Jeep is not nearly as smooth riding on in town
> streets as it was with the OEM shocks and tires. We don't use it
> off-road at all at this point. So trying to figure out whether I should
> look at tires or shocks as the problem or perhaps it is just the aging
> of the overall suspension. Not knowing how a car's suspension ages.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Please send email to: nwhiii at yahoo dot com

 

H

HarryS

Guest

• Nov 22, 2003

• #7

"Norm" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Need advice. Not a car expert.
>
> Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles.
Continue
> to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.
>
> At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall,
the
> ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a
curb
> straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).
>
> I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same
time
> some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.
>
> We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
> 205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.
>
> We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve
the
> ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out
what is
> causing the stiff ride.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> --
> Please send email to: nwhiii at yahoo dot com

Michelin tires have stiffer side walls and the rubber used is also a
bit stiffer and generally they will increase road feel due the these
chiastic. The stiffer the side walls and rubber the longer they will
wear also the construction of the steel belts and how they placed in
the tire will also effect ride and feel. If your shocks were bad
they would leave a wavy (choppy) pattern in your tires, more than
likely it is the tires.
--
HarryS
JAFGBR

 

J

jeapcruiser@=ihatespam=24fightingchickens.com

Guest

• Dec 13, 2003

• #8

On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 15:25:47 -0500, Norm <[email protected]> wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>,
> Roger Brown <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Norm wrote:
>> >
>> > Need advice. Not a car expert.
>> >
>> > Have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer Limited that has 100,000 plus miles. Continue
>> > to use it around town but not for any extended highway driving.
>> >
>> > At some point in time, too long ago for my poor memory to recall, the
>> > ride became much stiffer. Small potholes feel like we are hitting a curb
>> > straight on (maybe not quite, but almost).
>> >
>> > I think this changed when we replaced shocks and tires at the same time
>> > some 50,000 miles ago but I'm not positive.
>> >
>> > We put on something called Michelin XH4 tires (they are stock size
>> > 205/75/15) and some type of Monroe shocks.
>> >
>> > We now need new tires and I'm trying to determine if we can improve the
>> > ride with new tires or shocks or if there is a way to figure out what is
>> > causing the stiff ride.
>>
>> Likely the shocks, but what pressure are you running the tires at? Could be
>> the shop filled them to 50 psi (or whatever) and that led to a harsh ride.
>
>
>Thanks for the responses.
>
>To those asking about tire pressure. They are usually at 35 psi or so.
>So don't think it is over inflation causing the problem.

Your tires are overinflated. You can harm your tires by riding on them for too
long with too much air in them. The inside panel of your driver's side door has
the inflation psi to set them at. That is usually 33psi.

I drove my jeep off the lot with 35 psi in the tires without knowing it, and had
a very rough ride.

I lowered them to 33 psi, and the ride is now very smooth and comfortable.

Lower the pressure in your tires, dude. It's always the simple, easy thing that
is broken.

-JPCruiser

 

J

Jeffrey A. Heitert

Guest

• Dec 15, 2003

• #9

> Your tires are overinflated. You can harm your tires by riding on them for
too
> long with too much air in them.

This is true, but not when the difference is 35psi instead of 33psi. Gimme
a break!

> The inside panel of your driver's side door has
> the inflation psi to set them at. That is usually 33psi.

This is assuming he is using tires with the same load rating as the OEM's.
Also note that most light truck tires have a maximum inflation level of
about 50psi. He won't damage them at 35psi.

> Lower the pressure in your tires, dude. It's always the simple, easy thing
that
> is broken.

He can try it, but it could easily be something different than a 2psi
difference in tire pressure.

I had an old Honda Civic on which the rear shocks actually became "frozen."
They had corroded and got stuck. I would check the shocks. You might also
check to see if your leaf springs are in good shape. Let us know what you
find out!