My 94 S-10 doesn't like bumps

[big b]

I can be driving and take some large bumps and the truck is fine. Say if I drive off of a curb or take a hard bump like a pothole, the it sounds like my frame just hit the ground! It takes deep bumps really hard almost like the suspension has traveled as far as it can. I checked under the truck and everything looks ok except for the cross member that is attatched to the torsion bars. I can move them . Should I be able to ?

Anyone else have this problem? The truck drives great except for this.

Thanks

[dwinthrup]

hears a good idea knock it off drive off the curb slower i did that once and my frame scraped the hole way it depends on if you have 2wd or 4wd i have 2 so i don't do it anymore

[big b]

I have the 4WD. I am not abusing the truck it sounds like the suspension is bottoming out (not on the ground)

Thanks

[laxman21]

Sounds like the torsion bar insulator is broken. Have had to replace mine twice. Same symptoms.

[big b]

The insulator on the Control ar or under the middle of the truck ? I know the torsion bars are movable.. They should be pretty stiff shouldn't they ?

Thanks

[laxman21]

Originally Posted by big b

The insulator on the Control ar or under the middle of the truck ? I know the torsion bars are movable.. They should be pretty stiff shouldn't they ?

Thanks

Under the middle of the truck where you adjust the ride height. Mine did the same thing. No sound under normal driving conditions, hit a bump bang. Sound like someones hitting a hammer under the truck.

[big b]

I looked under there and you're right looks like they are free to bang and clang. I imagine the rubber to stop that goes to the frame ?

Where can I buy them and what is involved in putting them in ..

Thanks

[laxman21]

Check local part store or supplier. Might have to go to the deale3r.

I think I paid $35 about 3 years ago.

You have to untension the torsion bars and then unbolt the insulators.

I had a mechanic do them, just doesn't look like fun to do on your back. On side took him about 10 minutes to change. The other about an hour. Look at the cross member from the back, one side has a larger hole, that's the easy side.


Here are a couple of pictures