Terrible ride quality.

dodge man · Nov 8, 2010

I recently bought a used 2002 GMC 4x4, long bed, regular cab 1/2 ton pick up with about 100,000 miles. It rides O.K. on fair to good roads, but on bad roads, things get ugly. This is really true if the road has any washboards on it. The truck just wants to skip all over the road. It feels like I'm running 60 psi in the tires, but I'm not, I'm running about 32psi

My question is, can I do anything about it? The truck has Fuzion XTI tires on it, and I think they are load rating E. My guess is that this is the problem, but I'm not sure. I think the tires are too stiff. Of course they are almost brand new and have a lot of miles left on them.

My other thought is the shocks. They may be worn out. I've replaced shocks before on vehicles, and in my experience, this isn't going to fix the problem

It could also just be the truck, that may be all the better it will get. I'm comparing it to the 2007 Dodge Ram 4x4, Quad Cab, 1/2 ton I traded off recently. I also had load rated E tires on it, and it also wanted to skip around on the bad bumps, but not anywhere near as bad. There are places I can drive 45 to 50 mph in my car or my previous truck, that I have to slow down to 35 mph in the GMC, and that still feels to fast sometimes.

We live outside of town, the roads are paved but pretty bumpy in places. There are times I want to drive the truck, but don't because of the ride.
Is this something I'm stuck with?

bdeboer · Nov 8, 2010

I have an '05 K1500 Reg Cab Longbed in the work truck trim, Load Range C tires, original shocks, and owned since new with 60K+ on it.

When I put the Load Range C tires on, it stiffened the ride some, and caused the mileage to drop maybe 1 mpg. The front shocks are too soft for my tastes, actually prefer the stiffer ride of our diesel K2500 Crewcab Short Bed. I have a Utility cap full of tools on it for maintaining investment properties, this probably affects the ride also.

I wonder if along with Load Range E tires if someone didn't put air shocks, helper springs, or adjustable off road shocks on the back. I put the adjustable shocks plus Load Range C on the '99 GMC 1/2 ton I had for more comfortable towing.

I think something has been "upgraded" and would look for aftermarket parts on the rear.

crashz · Nov 8, 2010

I have similar truck (2004 GMC 4x4, LB, SLE) and can agree with the wash board issues. A couple things to look at:

- Check the upper front shock mount bushings. Mine loosened up (or shrunk) and I had a little play in the shock vs mount. It made the ride horrible. Just snugging them up help tremendously.

- Replace the shocks. Unless it has the Z71 package and Bilstein shocks, the shocks are probably worthless. Even my replacement Monroe SensaTracs are geting worn out at 145K. The additional unsprung weight of the E rating tires ( or even D rated) will prematurely wear the shocks as well as our lovely New England roads. New shocks will probably do wonders, and I had no "bounce" prior to replacing mine.

- Repair / replace the upper steering shaft. A minor issues that is not safety related, but mearly annoying. The slip joint developes a clunk feel on bumps and turns. Mine is really bad, but again, just an annoyance. Some people have put a band clamp around the white plastic slip collar of the shaft, snugged, and the clunk has disappeared. Gonna try that myself.

- Weight in the bed. I have a tool box that I've used as ballast for plowing snow. I move it from the front of the bed to the back and leave it there all winter. As soon as its in the back (probably 200 lbs) the ride is improved. If you have removed your spare, the weight behind the rear tires is reduced and it amplifies the ride issues.

bdeboer · Nov 8, 2010

I think CrashZ has good point about the weight. Try throwing 2-300 lbs in there, as all of your weight is in the front with the regular cab. Mine has had either loaded toolbox or a cap on it for a long time.

Wis Bang · Nov 8, 2010

I have a 2005 Silverado 1500 worktruck small cab longbed 4x4. I have Mastercraft P265/70R17 tires and the original shocks. I have a toolbox behind the cab and a tonneau cover. Speed bumps are a pain unless I slow down to almost a stop. Washboard and dirt roads are not a problem. I drive in a 'gated' state forest road during hunting season and have no ride issues. Must be the HD tires.

zzvyb6 · Nov 8, 2010

Promise not to snicker, but check the motor and transmission mounts. Yes there is a safty plate to prevent the engine from leaving the scene, but if a mount is separated, you are in for a heap of hurt.

I'd also suggest you follow the truck and observe the wheel motions while driving it on a problem road. You can then tell wether its a shock, mount, bed, or ball joint problem. Does that truck have torsion bars? If so, check those for F/A movement.

timswi · Nov 8, 2010

I've had GMC/Chevy 1/2 tons my whole life and I've never noticed them to be horrible on washboard roads...

My first question is did previous owners add leafs to the rear pack, or even worse put 3/4 ton springs on it. I've seen both done and the ride quality suffers greatly. No give in the rear at all.

The grease pack failure in the mid shaft of the steering clolumn just creates a rattle and a little slop in the steering wheel. It's actually a very easy replacement. About an hour at most to replace the mid-shaft. Done quite a few of them.

schmism · Nov 8, 2010

stiff springs = poor ride quality with little weight.

but dont overlook shocks.

The only thing that keeps the suspension in check are the shocks.

You can always go with some adjustables that way you can play with the valving on demand to determine which setting bests suits the seat of the pants based on conditions.

timswi · Nov 8, 2010

schmism said:
stiff springs = poor ride quality with little weight.

but dont overlook shocks.

The only thing that keeps the suspension in check are the shocks.

You can always go with some adjustables that way you can play with the valving on demand to determine which setting bests suits the seat of the pants based on conditions.

All true, guess it depends on whether the truck feels like it's coming off the ground as in it has no give, or if it's bouncing on the rebound. Hard to tell from what the OP is describing. Both are a real problem. I would think the feeling would be fairly obvious.