crashes over potholes?

[angeno]

So there I was, driving down RTE 17 in beautiful Bergen County, NJ when suddenly I hit an expansion joint and instead of shrugging it off, my VX bounced and banged across it with far more drama then I'd expected. Seemed as though instead of rebounding, the VX hit its shock/spring stops. Likewise, going over potholes the same banging and bouncing. Not as though something was broken or even close to breaking. But not what I remember from previous VX ownership. Having driven the same kind of vehicle with far fewer miles on the odometer, I can tell you that the VX should laugh at potholes and assorted road imperfections.

Car has 130K+ miles. But I've replaced LOTS of parts already -- including rear shocks and tie rods, brakes all the way around, etc. Does this sound normal, or maybe I need new front shocks? Since I am sentenced to spend many more years living in NJ, I would prefer to solve this problem, otherwise every time the VX crashes over a big bump I know I won't be happy. Sound like something simple and straightforward to you guys? Any suggestions will be welcomed..

[VX KAT]

Sounds very familiar, like what many of us have commented on.

There's numerous threads about the rear bump stops (which Black Sambo will correct me and advise they are officially called "Spring Helpers".)

Here's some threads to read up on it. Might help you decide if you want to cut yours in half or not like several of us have done. But even with this, the VX is never going to be even remotely a "smooth" ride. This mod just made it a whole lot less jarring/slamming.

Here's a thread from just last week that discussed it and referenced several other threads with more info:
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...ght=bump+stops

[angeno]

Thanks VX KAT. Nice to know I'm not alone on this merry-go-round.

[VX KAT]

Thanks VX KAT. Nice to know I'm not alone on this merry-go-round.

This simple free mod was THE best bang for the buck I've ever done. I think there's at least 4-5 of us now that have done it so far, and I haven't heard ANY negative comments about it. (etlsport, Mile High VX, VT_Maverick and I think there's one more that's done it) They're not that hard to cut either, think VT Mav used a hacksaw. (I actually had my off-road shop do it for me...I'm a wuss)

I don't care if the spring rate and such is changed by doing it....it reduces that slamming SO much it's worth it! And just for back up get some from a junkyard in case you want to return it to stock or you don't like it with the half.

[angeno]

Thanks for the great bump stop circumcision idea. Gonna do it, definitely. However, I'm also thinking of doing something else, and I'll be grateful for input from anyone who has experience with what I'm about to propose.

I want to do a lift kit and go with much bigger tires to fill up the space I'll be creating. Here, my goal is two-fold. First goal is the one I was hoping to get feedback on. And that is, I want my VX to "laugh" at potholes. I'm thinking that with so much tire meat and suspension travel between my VX and the sh*tty roads, I will basically render myself immune from crashing and banging and bumping and thumping my way down the moon-crater afflicted war zones that constitute our so-called 'roads' here in lovely New Jersey.

Is my hypothesis correct? Will this do the trick?

Second goal is to give my vehicle the look that I find awesome in those VX's that I've seen undertake the lift kit process. Again, I'll appreciate feedback and/or direction to threads that have already perhaps covered the subject at hand thoroughly.

[VXorado]

I don't know... usually the ride gets rougher with a lift/bigger tires. I have 919 coils & never ever hit the bump stops, but the 919s are stiff so I feel road bumps.

My suggestion is to get your ride problems sorted out first before opening a new can of worms with a lift. If you really want to lift, start with adjustable shocks (RS9000xl) & see if that helps the "crashing" issues.

[VX KAT]

Agree with VXorado...
~I got the Ranchos and tried the softer settings like 2/3. I got some floating action on front when braking.

~So I raised them to 4 front/4 rear.....still got some floating.

~Then cut rear bump stops in half...still very VERY harsh, kidney jarring ride on anything other than smooth pavement. It vibrates so much I think my steering wheel and rear door feel like they'll fall off.

~Then put them at 6/4 (Ranchos recommended settings for off-road). I liked this setting and now leave them at that, but it's still really rough.

ALL this combo dramatically improved the "slamming" effect of the rear end, but the VX is just a rough ride, no way around it.
.
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[Breezy]

My rear bump stops were actually cut in half already when I got my VX in Alabama. I don't know which owner cut it though.

[vt_maverick]

Couple thoughts...

1. Cut your bump stops before you do anything else. Assess the ride harshness from there and see if you've fixed the problem.
2. Be mindful that there are two types of harshness: (1) slamming/impact from rear axle hitting the bump stops over uneven terrain, and (2) general ride "stiffness" characterized by excessive vibration and the sensation of "feeling the road". Generally speaking problem #1 can be attributed to bump stops that are too close to the rear axle for everyday driving, hence the solution Sue and I and others have implemented. Problem #2 (stiffness) is a characteristic of your suspension system as a whole, so you need to take a holistic approach in fixing the problem. Are your springs too stiff? Are you running oversize wheels and low profile tires? Are your shocks designed for on-road or off-road use? Overall ride harshness is likely a combination of multiple factors, so adding a lift kit (usually nothing more than taller springs and a torsion bar crank on the VX) is not likely to fix your problem. Heck you might even create a new one.
3. Floating is NOT what you want. It sounds like a good thing when the car is in motion, but generally speaking it can make fast braking, cornering, and steering (especially when you've just hit a bump) extremely unnerving - you feel like you're about to lose control of the truck.

Like I said, start with the stops and go from there.

[VX KAT]

Mav's right on the money! Couldn't agree more.

[bearandbee]

I'm going to be cutting my bump stops tonight. And then I have a click, loose sound on the front suspension that is heard on bumps that I will need to address.

[vt_maverick]

Remember to cut only the REAR stops.

[angeno]

Thanks very much to all you guys for the sage wisdom. I'll start with the bump stop haircut and go from there.

[angeno]

"Be mindful that there are two types of harshness: (1) slamming/impact from rear axle hitting the bump stops over uneven terrain, and (2) general ride "stiffness" characterized by excessive vibration and the sensation of "feeling the road".



Yeah, (1) is my problem EXACTLY. The SLAMMING over potholes and sh*tty pavement. I don't care about the generally rough ride (2) which is characteristic of the VX. That doesn't bother me at all. But when I hit a nasty expansion joint or pothole and the friggin vehicle goes SLAM that's what pisses me off and unnerves me. That's what I want to fix. Sounds to me like the bump stop cut down may significantly improve the situation. Gonna test the theory and let everyone know...

[bearandbee]

I cut the bottom section of rear bump stops last night and it helped! Sharp limb pruners worked the best, my hack saw was too dull.