Going sideways on dirt roads

[Capman2k]

I was coming home from my GF's house the other night and they grated one of the dirt roads I go on to get home... It was really bumpy, and going about 5mph, it was shaking and going sideways out of control... I had this problem in my 91 also...

Would this be a problem with my shocks? Should I let some air out of my tires?

Does anyone else have this problem???

 

[unclemeat]

Your problem is most likely shocks. When used heavily they heat up an begin to boil the oil inside, then they stop working. Lower tire presure may help. Typically reducing tire presure is for traction. It will also reduce the suspension spring rate.

 

[JDraper]

Most likely shocks. Their job is to absorb the bumps and keep the wheels planted on the ground. If you're hopping around, they aren't doing their job.

 

[Bill Kemp]

When you get to a portion of a dirt road covered with, what I call "chatter bumps", about the only thing to do is slow down. New or old shocks doesnt matter. Those bumps will through you around at speed. And they will bring out & create more rattles in your veh. I sometimes slow to almost walking speed when I hit those sh***en bumps.
Not saying that you may not need shocks also, but new shocks wont help much on chatter bumps.
Maby its time for you to find a GF on a paved road?

 

[Billy177]

they shocks aren't original are they

 

[Ray Lobato]

Originally posted by Bill Kemp
When you get to a portion of a dirt road covered with, what I call "chatter bumps", about the only thing to do is slow down. New or old shocks doesnt matter. Those bumps will through you around at speed. And they will bring out & create more rattles in your veh. I sometimes slow to almost walking speed when I hit those sh***en bumps.
Not saying that you may not need shocks also, but new shocks wont help much on chatter bumps.
Maby its time for you to find a GF on a paved road?

Well I agree somewhat with what Bill says, but new shocks will help to some degree. The thing about driving on washboard roads is you have to go just fast enough for the shock and springs to oscillate with the road. Going too fast and the rear will go out from behing you. Going too slow and the shock/springs don't flex like they should, and you shake your fillings out of your teeth. Once you hit the sweetspot, you will know your there, because the truck stops being bumpy and smooths out quite nicely. Not every road is the same.
It's one of those ya just gotta experiment with.

 

[mhn3773]

i have only dirivn on a wash once..was a few trips but all in one day it was in an 01 GV v6 totaly stock

they were gravel wash's and it was my frist time ever going off roading was kinda hard to keep up with the others because i always felt like i was going to fast but the car did just fine at about 45mph..the back would slip a little every once in a while..but otherwise was really really fun to drive =)

 

[Capman2k]

I'll try finding that "sweet spot" next time I encounter a washboard road... I'm just a little weary of going too fast and rolling into a ditch. I haven't even made my first payment on the truck yet, it'd be quite annoying to total it. But I guess it can't be any worse than rolling it at 5 mph, that'd just be embarrassing

I don't know what the factory shocks look like... I had my front tires off on Tuesday to replace my brake pads, and they were just plain black... I also checked out the rear ones (had the truck on a lift so I got to see the whole underside). The truck rides extremely smooth, so I assume the shocks work. I still want to upgrade to some Rancho's or something, but on normal roads, the shocks are excellent.

And just because I haven't told anyone, I welded the hole in my muffler and the funny noise is gone, and the truck seems to have a little bit more power too. Not a huge difference, but noticable... I'm so proud of my green... thing...

 

[Billy177]

yup they are factory shocks