RAV4.3 - suspension refresh?

[Dippy]

Hi all

Had my 2008 4.3 DCAT for nearly 12 years and 110 000 miles.  It hasn't had new suspension components (that I can remember!)

My other car is a 2008 Porsche Boxster. I don't really drive either (train to work every day) but when I take the Porsche, then move into the RAV, the latter of course feels like a boat around corners.  I bought this as it was one of the most car-like handling SUVs at the time.  Can anyone say how much my springs (shocks?) could do with a refresh by now, and how much is just the inappropriate comparison with the low sporty thing and mine should be fine for another 30k?  If the former, what is recommended? Much as I appreciate a bit more sport feel, honestly it's not necessary, any passengers just get car sick. 

It is still extremely comfortable for long distances, and our village has wide speed bumps around most of it (slope up, 2m width, slope down) which I don't even slow for, and the car seems to take it fine.  It's a lot more comfortable than a BMW X3 I tried at the same time, that really shook you along a bumpy road - I don't want that.

On the Porsche board someone swapped their springs for progressive-coiled ones, a few coils tight together and a few spaced out - the idea was they were compliant over minor bumps but tightened up when the car was really thrown into a corner.  That sounds good to me.

I'm wondering if I just walk into Toyota and ask for it to be renewed, or buy something from TRD, or it's better to go for H&R springs etc.... not sure what developments/improvements are possible over the original design, or whether the fancy stuff is only designed for those who go sport off-roading or want to lower for the looks, and I'd be just as well sticking to the original.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[152bobby]

I'd love to make my 4.3 a bit more of a smoother ride.  I looked into it a few years ago and the honest answer from suspension/shocks/spring specialists, was, I could spend a lot of money and not notice much difference, so I abandoned the idea.

I can't believe that the ride could not be better by upgrading the shocks and springs, but I guess it may affect the handling !!!

[Dippy]

That’s funny, it sounds like we are after different things!  I’m fine with ride comfort as it is, I’d just like less soggy cornering. 
It is a shame that few experiment with this. With old sports cars there are several owners messing with the suspension, and we can learn from their reviews. Sounds like we have to be the guinea pigs here 😞. I dare say it’s worsened with the horror stories of the DCAT engine, no one wants to experiment with £2-3k on a car worth little more than that which might go pop at any point 😞. Personally here in Portugal cars are worth much more than that so it is still an option for me. 

[Dippy]

UPDATE  at 183 000km / 12 years old.

Changed the tyres. While up on the lift, it was very obvious that front suspension boots were shredded (like, they are barely worth being there).

There is a fair bit to dismantle just to change the boots. And with suspension at that age, one wonders if it is worth changing shocks and springs. We have a vibrating plate test for the shocks in the MoT and apparently they're still pretty good.

Car has probably never seen off-road, but a fair bit of short-distance motorway and our local forgiving speed bumps.

I'm sure it's "how long is a piece of string" but does anyone have an idea of how much it's worth replacing springs and/or shocks at this age?  A good idea, or don't bother they're good for another 100k?

As they say in blackjack - stick, or twist?  Any thoughts?

[IanML]

If the shocks test ok it seems sensible to leave them, but you could enquire the cost, which I expect will reinforce that view.  As for the springs, if the ride height (i.e. the clearance between the body and the ground) is correct, the springs are good.

My car (about 105,000 miles) sounds the same as yours, but I've been advised the rubber mounts of the suspension could do with replacing.  That may also apply to yours.

 

[Dippy]

Many thanks Ian.  I found a few threads, including one on RAV4World, which suggested that 100k was towards the upper life of the shocks.  As it also suggested OEM shocks were as good as any other, and they were inexpensive (35 USD I think?!), it seems likely I'll do that - but yes, will check the prices.

Bushings (rubber mounts?) is another thing to consider... hmm...

[Gungod]

Im also strugling for a change of suspention with my RAV4.3 but like 152bobby want to make it ride smoother. Have also tone research in local services and one of them told me that he think that original springs are way too hard than needed. Because of this shocks ahve pretty long lifespawn.

Anyone know what to do to make the ride with her smoother? 

[Dippy]

Don’t know about smoother but finally I did get the shocks replaced, and reasonably happy with the result. Can also say I got new tyres, Michelin Pilot Sport SUV, and these transformed the car from the Toyota issued Geolanders before, so much quieter on the motorway. 

[Avalon]

I can only speak for the MK2 I had, I put a new set of Bilstein Street shocks on with new OE spec springs and top mounts/bearings as the factory kit after 16 years of loyal service (at the time) was well past its best. I did the compression test on the struts after removing and unsurprisingly the OE stuff was much easier to compress and much slower to recover, also noticeably worse on one side than the other (not unexpect, as one side had started to weep) It’s a reasonably easy job, made things noticeably smoother and improved ride quality, but nothing you do is going to make a RAV corner like a Porsche. My general rules is at 100-130K suspension should be replaced on a road car, can be a lot less on something sporty.