4.1 Ride Quality

[selsdon500]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know how to improve the ride quality of the 1995 4.1 Rav 4 ?

It gives a really bumpy ride and there must be some solution.

Thanks

[Davrav]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know how to improve the ride quality of the 1995 4.1 Rav 4 ?

It gives a really bumpy ride and there must be some solution.

Thanks

You can get a 'Special' rubber cushion in the shape of a doughnut from certain shops. I understand that it improves comfort no end ;)

[Ady-Rav4]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know how to improve the ride quality of the 1995 4.1 Rav 4 ?

It gives a really bumpy ride and there must be some solution.

Thanks

I know what you mean, I have owned two 4.1's and got the same effect. But I assume it's just how it's set up. I find that, yeh, the suspension is kinda stiff but it's great for sticking to the road and bombing around corners without losing composure . It should be fine on a flat smooth road though.

[bothwell_buyer]

You need to take a ride in my number 1 RAV to find out what a bumpy ride feels like. Low profile tyres and suspension set to incredibly stiff... Racing seats - Cobra Monaco steel frame with no springs and little padding....

Basics like what sort of tyres /size do you have fitted; tyre pressure; is it 3 or 5 door; hows the padding on the drivers seat?

Then we move onto whether the shock absorbers are ok; are the springs ok - they have a habit of breaking...front and back.

[selsdon500]

Basics like what sort of tyres /size do you have fitted; tyre pressure; is it 3 or 5 door; hows the padding on the drivers seat?

Then we move onto whether the shock absorbers are ok; are the springs ok - they have a habit of breaking...front and back.

OK,

It's a 3 door, with 215 70 R 16 tyres. Combination of Dunlop and Mitchelin tyres all set to the Toyota Tyre pressures ..26psi if I remeber rightly.

Front springs are new and are original Toyota springs. ( Changed on a recall )

Rear springs are intact and not broken.

I live in London, where there are plenty of potholes, and speed humps, and it just does not seem to absorb the bumps well.

I must say, I am a bit disappointed with the comfort the suspension provides or is this common for this vehicle ?

[Nigebob Squarepants]

Basics like what sort of tyres /size do you have fitted; tyre pressure; is it 3 or 5 door; hows the padding on the drivers seat?

Then we move onto whether the shock absorbers are ok; are the springs ok - they have a habit of breaking...front and back.

OK,

It's a 3 door, with 215 70 R 16 tyres. Combination of Dunlop and Mitchelin tyres all set to the Toyota Tyre pressures ..26psi if I remeber rightly.

Front springs are new and are original Toyota springs. ( Changed on a recall )

Rear springs are intact and not broken.

I live in London, where there are plenty of potholes, and speed humps, and it just does not seem to absorb the bumps well.

I must say, I am a bit disappointed with the comfort the suspension provides or is this common for this vehicle ?

Not sure how long shocks last, but you car is 15 years old and they don’t last forever! maybe they have had-it

[selsdon500]

Basics like what sort of tyres /size do you have fitted; tyre pressure; is it 3 or 5 door; hows the padding on the drivers seat?

Then we move onto whether the shock absorbers are ok; are the springs ok - they have a habit of breaking...front and back.

OK,

It's a 3 door, with 215 70 R 16 tyres. Combination of Dunlop and Mitchelin tyres all set to the Toyota Tyre pressures ..26psi if I remeber rightly.

Front springs are new and are original Toyota springs. ( Changed on a recall )

Rear springs are intact and not broken.

I live in London, where there are plenty of potholes, and speed humps, and it just does not seem to absorb the bumps well.

I must say, I am a bit disappointed with the comfort the suspension provides or is this common for this vehicle ?

Not sure how long shocks last, but you car is 15 years old and they don’t last forever! maybe they have had-it

May be the shocks, although they dont over bounce in any way.

I'm not sure how one of these vehicles rides on new shocks etc, and if this was the natural ride quality of the vehicle.

Anyone out there with an overhauled standard suspension setup that can advise on their ride quality ?

[anchorman]

I think your solution might be a Ford Focus. The RAV is intentionally stiff to allow it some off road capabilty. You could have a ride around London in a LR 90 (make sure you have the number for the RAC) then you will realise how nice the RAV is.

[bothwell_buyer]

I should have said that the RAV was intended/designed as a mild off-roader just as ancs says... but also as a fun sporty car with handling to match its performance... a true "Sports Utility Vehicle". The 4.1 is a light car with a good power to weight ratio. I've owned number 1 RAV since 1994 and well know the car and how it was like before all the mods. My number 2 RAV only has 18" wheels with the remainder standard (apart from the turbo engine). Its a dream on the road for comfort!

Then if I compare it to my Previa, then thats one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven.

More recent RAVs are less off-road and more comfort.

Thinking back to when I had the 215/70x16 tyres, I remember going round a bend on the M74/M73 with 4 passengers and a car behind flashing their lights..... a rear tyre had burst and there was no indication from the handling that this happened!!

A bit different, but I had a blow out on an 18" tyre at 100mph and noticed nothing at all until I slowed down!!

Like many cars, hitting potholes isn't comfortable but the RAV survives them....others just bend.

Funnily enough, I got a catalogue in yesterday giving details of a silicon gel cushion that they sell for wheelchair users - and looks very interesting to help add comfort to the car seats!!