Hi everyone...my first post here, hope you can help.

The suspension in my '98 4R (161k miles, all on-road) seems soft and mushy, even after replacing the shocks/struts with HD Bilsteins a few weeks ago. I feel it twist a bit when cornering and the wheels seem to skip a bit over certain bumps. The mushy/skipping feeling was the reason I replaced the shocks/struts in the first place, but the Bilsteins didn't help at all. I am a little nervous when driving...it doesn't hold the road like it should/did.

The 4R has had a bit of a harsh ride since new, and I especially noticed a stiffer ride at 99k when I replaced the shocks/struts with Tokico, but couldn't really tell any difference this time with the Bilsteins. Also replaced the stock Goodyear Wrangler RT/S at 99k (with the same), so the current Wranglers have about 65-70k miles (bought used).

Do I need new springs? Some kind of replacement bushings? Something else? What I mentioned above is everything I've ever done to the suspension. Thanks for any help/ideas.

You should do a search on here and look for a recall notice on your rear springs.I am the orig. owner of my 98 and yota sent me a recall notice a few(5+) years back. With that many miles new swaybar bushings may also be in order.

first off......if you 've never changed your rear springs or added a 3 inch lift spacer to them......problem 1
your rear is sagging mighty low!


2nd.....check your swaybar bushings with that much mileage because they could be just about to disappear which would cause a mushy feel or roll in turns.
Other than that.a more clear explanation is needed .
Kenny S>

By soft and mushy I meant that the body bounces up and down more times than I think it should - think worn out shocks, but it also feels mushy/roll in turns. I'll check the bushings tomorrow...I haven't noticed that the rear is sagging...I'll call the dealer tomorrow about the recall.

Thanks sharrack and boiserunner.

I was talking with a buddy that owns a 97 he swears by airbags in-side the springs. Says they help w/ trailer sag and he seems to think they act as a spring damper. Just thought I'd pass this along.

Thanks for the info. I ordered the sway front and rear bar bushings last week along with the rear springs...hope to get them installed on the weekend. Will report back on the results.

Installed front and rear sway bar bushings along with rear springs and sway bar links - problem solved. Thanks for everyone's help.

Nice...glad all is now well.

Is your idler arm ok? That's a usual problem I find.

The '96 and newer 4Runners don't have an idler arm. They use rack and pinion steering.