Brand new Prado faulty rear Spring?

[RichardM Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RichardM]

Hi all,

I purchased a new GXL about a month ago (just passed 1000kms) and a few days ago noticed a definite sag on the passenger rear side. At first I thought it was just me but after a week of looking at it I decided to drop back into the dealer. The service department got a tape measure out and agreed the ride height was down by 15-20mm!! They will have a look at it in a couple of days but suspect a problem with the spring on that side. As an engineer that makes some sense to me. Has anyone else heard of such a problem? What else could it be? If it is the spring should I request new springs all round or just on the rear? The car has never been off the tarmac.

Any comments appreciated

Richard

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

As an engineer that makes some sense to me

As an engineer I'd expect it to make sense to you!!

15mm isn't much of a sag as such, When checking standard suspension (which is relatively soft) make sure tire pressures are even on the same axle (weight transfer), you are parked on a level surface (remember roads, car parks and driveways slope for water run off so inside a garage is best)
Take into account the fuel tank is also on the passenger side, if its full approx 90kgs extra on that side.

If it does turn out to be a sagged spring you would want both on the rear to be replaced as they are likely to be from the same manufacture batch/run.

Going off road makes little difference in this case as the springs are new and if they have sagged it would be due a manufacturing fault.

No, never heard of it, but most people on here don't have the standard suspension too long.


Mick

[Prado04 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado04]

IMHO Toyota uses crap steel in there springs, my last 2 vehicles all Toyota benefited so much from changing the springs and shocks in them. Both of them Saged in a short amount of time. I'm looking forward to changing the Prado suspension around, just looking at it I would say that it has saged a lot also.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Hi MichL,
I agree with Prado04, my last Toyota Hilux also had very weak rear springs which made for a large market for our local spring works, I then went for a Pootrol and had no problems, my Prado one day, will get a 50mm lift and ATS suspension.

[mjforder Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mjforder]

:shock: What's standard? :shock:

I have only heard of the ATS (ridepro and Billy) kit. Anything else is a production myth or an early marketing picture show-piece.

:wink:

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

Hi Richard, sounds like you scored a dodgy spring/shock. A minor problem and a warranty fix; great opportunity to check out how good your dealer is going to be. I agree with Mick, they should replace both rear shocks and springs.

As for critcisms of Prado suspension, mine has 62k on the original springs, some off-road, bull bar and platinum wool seat covers ... not the slightest bit of sagging. Tank full or empty, no difference. Some of the guys on this forum do a lot serious off-road stuff and heavy towing; you only need to read some of the trip and favourite destinations. For them, it probably makes sense to upgrade suspension.

I guess you also want to be sure that there is no more sinister reason for the sag. But hey, you have 3 years warranty!

Bear

[Prado04 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado04]

Bear,

Just for your information a shock will not cause the spring to sag, a shock is for controlling the spring and will not affect the height at all.

[dustie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dustie]

Hey Guys,

I just changed my shocks and springs to the Billys/Ridepro combo. Its really good. With the stockies, everyone who has driven behind a prado mine and others has the commented on the sideways movement at the back.
My missus always complained of headaches when we went off-roading with stockies (not cos of me ). My last trip was a good experience for all of us, no complaints and she even commented about there being hardly any bounce. The stockies used to bounce like a roo, bottomed out several times, dinged the paper sized protector plates underneath. Recommend getting a suspension lift done, before you see some underbody damage :!: :!:

Dustie & more dust....

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

Prado04 Wrote:

Bear,
Just for your information a shock will not cause the spring to sag, a shock is for controlling the spring and will not affect the height at all.

ops:

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

Dusty wrote:

My missus always complained of headaches when we went off-roading with stockies (not cos of me ). My last trip was a good experience for all of us, no complaints and she even commented about there being hardly any bounce. The stockies used to bounce like a roo, bottomed out several times, dinged the paper sized protector plates underneath. Recommend getting a suspension lift done, before you see some underbody damage

Couple of points Dusty. Firstly, "My missus always complains of headaches when ... (not cos of me )" Oh course not :!: :?: Mate, i've been married 30+ years and i KNOW where headaches come from :twisted:

Then, you make a good point about having a lift if doing any serious off-road. Even though we only do minor stuff and short trips, I have hit bottom quite a few times - recently with a mighty thwack. No serious damage, but a wake up call. Might have to look into the cost and affect on insurance.

Cheers
Bear

[mjforder Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mjforder]

The main reason why i did our upgrade was that after hitching the boat onto the car for the first time - (boat and ski gear and 160L petrol and camping gear etc was approx 1.5 tonnes), and the roof with luggage tray and Rhino sack and the fridge (with food/drink) - and other camping gear etc - i pretty much had zero rear suspension.

I very much doubt the car was anywhere near loaded to the max - most items were just bulky not weighty - and taking the boat over unsealed tracks, paddocks etc to Morgan i could feel the car dragging its rear at times over the lumpy spots.

Not only that, my headlights were slightly upward - so all-in-all, neaded a firmer ride and now all great. Poly-air's are underrated.

the factory springs are good for a std car - but they do settle a fair amount when you start to load it up - which for blacktop use may not be too much of an issue but for anything else is not ideal.

that's my experience anyway.

[dustie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dustie]

Couple of points Dusty. Firstly, "My missus always complains of headaches when ... (not cos of me )" Oh course not :!: :?: Mate, i've been married 30+ years and i KNOW where headaches come from :twisted:

Upon reflection, maybe because I spend too much time and $$'s on the truck (note: the Prado has been upgraded to 1st wife status by her). :? :twisted:

[RichardM Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RichardM]

Spring Update if interested

Thanks for the comments.

An update for anyone interested. I dropped my Prado into the servicing department after the mechanics agreed that there appeared to be a sag which was obvious on visual inspection. They measured the spring heights and ride heights and concluded the ride height differed by 8mm from left to right. I indicated to them that the problem is more pronounced when a trailer or boat is attached. They do not expect to see any difference in ride height on a car with 1000kms on the clock, regardless of petrol, load etc. They have agreed to replace both rear springs under warranty (paperwork submitted to Toyota) but I will not count my chickens yet. They became a little more alarmed when they measured the ride height on a new Prado in the display shop and found it also had a ride height difference (passenger LHS visibly lower).

I would be interested in knowing whether anyone else with standard suspension (probably no=one in this group :>)) has ever sighted or measured the rear ride height levels right to left.

Richard

[dustie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dustie]

I had noticed it, never bothered much. But its all gone since upgrading the suspension setup.

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

Dustie Wrote:

Upon reflection, maybe because I spend too much time and $$'s on the truck (note: the Prado has been upgraded to 1st wife status by her).

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink: