PW swaying

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Buckfever316
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PW swaying

Post by Buckfever316 » Mon Mar 09, 2020 2:51 pm

I got a 2016 Power Wagon, 76,000 miles. Have had it about 8 months, from day one the rear suspension is loose feeling. My buddy was in the rear seat and said he felt like he was in a boat. Winter here in Maine makes roads awful, so now it’s way more noticeable. I have checked underneath and nothing is loose, unbolted the bottom of the shocks and both extended out so I imagine they are fine. Had my boy jump on the bumper and move side to side. Track bar looks tight, I’m wondering even if the shocks have a gas charge could they have weakened over time?.. Does anyone else’s truck ride like this??

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Jack187
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Re: PW swaying

Post by Jack187 » Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:02 pm

Is the kicker shock still in place on the rear axle?
2015 Tradesman (PW option), 37X12.50R17LT Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires, AEV Katla 8.5" wheels

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ScubaSteve
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Re: PW swaying

Post by ScubaSteve » Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:14 pm

Thuren rear track bar. The rear track bar is a common complaint on these trucks because of crappy stock geometry. I never really paid much attention to mine, but I just installed my Thuren rear track bar this weekend and realized how much more stable it is.

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Oilbrnr
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Re: PW swaying

Post by Oilbrnr » Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:18 pm

'16 with '17 FWC

Buckfever316
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Re: PW swaying

Post by Buckfever316 » Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:49 pm

Yes the kicker shock is still in place.

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DamageWagon
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Re: PW swaying

Post by DamageWagon » Mon Mar 09, 2020 11:30 pm

Probably bad shocks. That will definitely do it.

Rear trackbar makes the rear wiggle, it doesn’t make it feel like a boat or loose.

The ‘kicker’ shock as it’s being called is an anti-hop shock and has almost zero effect on suspension handling. It exists to damp the roll of the axle under heavy throttle in environments where tires can slip.

waldo
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Re: PW swaying

Post by waldo » Tue Mar 10, 2020 8:51 am

Might be your tires too. The stock duracraps for example have a lot of roll on twisty roads compared to something with a 3 ply sidewall.
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Buckfever316
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Re: PW swaying

Post by Buckfever316 » Tue Mar 10, 2020 9:36 am

I’m gonna change out the shocks and see how that works. I will leave feedback.

Ducky's Dad
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Re: PW swaying

Post by Ducky's Dad » Tue Mar 10, 2020 12:18 pm

Check your tire pressures. I have had swaying problems on other trucks and more air solved the problem. If your shocks are original, they were toast a while ago.

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Bill2014
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Re: PW swaying

Post by Bill2014 » Tue Mar 10, 2020 1:23 pm

And - Duratrac's do require more pressure than most other tires to stabilize your ride - they have very "flexy" sidewalls :roll:
and I run my Duratracs with at least 60 psi...
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KevinABQ
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Re: PW swaying

Post by KevinABQ » Tue Mar 10, 2020 3:19 pm

You need the high pressure in the duratrac so they produce that satisfying balloon pop when they fail.
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ramv
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Re: PW swaying

Post by ramv » Tue Mar 10, 2020 11:56 pm

Oh god. Please tell me you don’t have factory tires. I don’t know how FCA convinced Goodyear to downgrade these tires but they are junk. Stock replacements from a Goodyear dealer are noticeably better. (I ran the 5 factory for about 30k miles until they were either blown out or worn out. I had two replacements that looked like new after 15-20k miles and sold those when I went to BFG ATs which are my favorite cheap tire behind the Duratrac. )

Other things. Thuren or other replacement front track bar. The Thuren rear upgrade was big but a pain in the ass to install (lots of drilling.). Good shocks. OEM Bilatein 4600s seem to lose a lot of dampening around 50k miles.

Last but not least, if you have a quality replacement tire for awhile, a balance and rotation will do wonders on a solid axle pickup.
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ramv
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Re: PW swaying

Post by ramv » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:00 am

My truck has the same miles (80k) but Thuren shocks and track bars and the higher rated heavier Toyos and sway is not in its vocabulary. Very tight.
2016 Laramie; 5.13s, Locker Bypass, WK sliders, 35" Toyo MT, 2Lo Kit, ProCal, Hemifever tune, Airbags/Cradles, Thuren 2.5" King w/ Boogie Bumps, Warn SDP6000

ramv
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Re: PW swaying

Post by ramv » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:01 am

My truck has the same miles (80k) but Thuren shocks and track bars and the higher rated heavier Toyos and sway is not in its vocabulary. Very tight.
6C2D391D-37FE-4279-B090-511507EC10C7.jpeg
2016 Laramie; 5.13s, Locker Bypass, WK sliders, 35" Toyo MT, 2Lo Kit, ProCal, Hemifever tune, Airbags/Cradles, Thuren 2.5" King w/ Boogie Bumps, Warn SDP6000

Buckfever316
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Re: PW swaying

Post by Buckfever316 » Wed Mar 11, 2020 9:14 am

ramv wrote:
Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:01 am
My truck has the same miles (80k) but Thuren shocks and track bars and the higher rated heavier Toyos and sway is not in its vocabulary. Very tight.

6C2D391D-37FE-4279-B090-511507EC10C7.jpeg
I have BFG tires on it and are getting worn. I’m definitely going with Thuren shocks and track bar!
Thank to all for the help!!!! :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

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