How to improve 2001 RAV4 ride and handling

[Ben99]

Hi 

I have a 2001 5 door Rav Auto which is serving me well but over the years the ride has become more bumpier and can feel even the slightest bump on the road. 

Apart from changing the tyres, what can you recommend I get checked out or replace? I'm sure it's the Shock absorbers and Suspensions but I would like any suggestions before I go to a local garage. 

Thanks

[crofter]

Hi Ben,have you done a visual check on the suspension re broken springs and as you do not say if it is  from the front or the back ones then only you know  where you start to look. No broken springs then look at the shock absorbers to see if they are  leaking oil.

As a general guide =bump felt on your backside,rears. You could do a test,. if any are local, on a speed bump

Another test you can do is on each corner of the car press down hard and release. This should make the car spring back up then settle once. If any corner bounces more than that  then the absorber is not working as it should. you will not produce the noise as  you will not be able to attain the effect that running the car can                                                 Hope this helps                                                  

Del

[Ben99]

I have not done a visual check yet as I didn't know what to look for. 

I will try what you have suggested. Thanks

As the car is now 17 years old but has only done 55k miles, I might get both the shocks and suspensions replaced. 

Thanks

 

[crofter]

2 hours ago, Ben99 said:

I have not done a visual check yet as I didn't know what to look for. 

I will try what you have suggested. Thanks

As the car is now 17 years old but has only done 55k miles, I might get both the shocks and suspensions replaced. 

Thanks

 

Hi Ben,have you done a visual check on the suspension re broken springs and as you do not say if it is  from the front or the back ones then only you know  where you start to look. No broken springs then look at the shock absorbers to see if they are  leaking oil.

As a general guide =bump felt on your backside,rears. You could do a test,. if any are local, on a speed bump

Another test you can do is on each corner of the car press down hard and release. This should make the car spring back up then settle once. If any corner bounces more than that  then the absorber is not working as it should. you will not produce the noise as  you will not be able to attain the effect that running the car can                                                 Hope this helps                                                  

Del

[crofter]

That was a practice I always followed as it could affect the way the car sat on the road