A description of the handling when rubber parts are worn

[ARKQX33V6]

I have read about the terrible handling with the Pathy and QX4 when rear suspension parts are worn, that is the rubber type isolators.

Can someone with this type of wear and experience, relate it. What goes on, what sensation in driving, what are the bad effects and when ?

I am not experiencing drive-ability issues with my QX4 (14 years old 250,000 Km) but the roads in S Ontario are bad, very bad.

When these parts are worn if you can explain the issues while on a smooth road and while on a bad road. The roads are bad and they vary at different locations and types, from multi lane 400 series (expressway) to in town lane-ways. I lived on country gravel roads for 18 years and the roadways in Ontario are now worse than any gravel roadway.

Or is my vehicle wearing out? Can I test the components, how?

I will be installing a hitch to the rear end, while under there what can I look for with the rear suspension to verify good or bad?

Thanks in advance.

[vq35]

Hi, I am working on the rear end as we speak and I can describe the following -
the lower control arms produce a wobble (death sway they call it on the forum) at speed - a sideways movement that requires adjustment while driving, general feeling of looseness in the back

the upper control arms yield chassis movement when driving or stopping - I have a manual so it feels like the transmission is loose and bouncing around when shifting/braking/going over holes/bumps
4x4 parts has a bushing/bolts package (8 total) and they are poly so expect better handling albeit stiffer rear end.

On smooth roads no drama unless at highway speeds when you will notice the death sway - to test this go under and grab arms and if there is movement then that is exactly what is wrong - to replace you either buy the whole arms with bushings or buy the poly package and have them pressed in/out (the cost of new vs poly is up to you but poly bushings permanently fix rear end)

I installed hitch from u haul and it yields dramatic results in terms of how the truck feels and handles bad roads - this does not help with the swaying or transmission movements - but overall structural integrity will be better and you can feel it (more tank like).
Hope it helps and don't forget to post before and after results. Cheers

[Chuck Tribolet]

Worn upper control arm bushings will cause a big CLUNK sound when you jump on the gas.

I've had to do my uppers twice (195,000 miles).

When you do it, be sure the suspension is compressed when you tighten things up. The easiest way to do this is to throw
the spare in the back (it gets in the way of tightening), and support the truck with a floor jack under the diff.

[ARKQX33V6]

Thank you for your quick responses. I am having non of what you have described, no swaying, no clunking. So in simple terms the Ontario highways are just terrible junk to drive on. When I am at 60 MPH upon these road ways often the bumps, the road itself is pock marked with divets, the road crown is all bent from heavy trucks and the frost heaves the road in very uneven manner. You can be riding high on one side while low on the other. Steering correction is often needed to compensate for the road.

I have been on roads in Toronto, a major city, where the surfaces are so rough it causes wheel hop and when braking hard on dry bumpy roads the anti lock kick in.

In fact when out with my wife I commented no wonder I have to change struts and shocks every 100,000 Km.

I will test the rear suspension when I do the rear hitch. Again thanks for cluing me into the death sway as they call it on the forum