02 Xterra suspension rides rough

Just bought a 2002 xterra 4wd S/C for my wife. For $6000 108kmiles on it. The X rides like shit so I replace all of the shocks, but I went to auto zone parts and bought some shocks they where 35$ each. The front seems smooth know. The rear shocks not so smooth it seem that the old shocks where better. The thing is in the rear shocks when I hit a small bump there a knock in the rear like the shocks bottom out. Need help what should I do thanks

You may need to replace the springs in the rear. The truck is close to 8 years old and after 100k miles the rear springs might have lost their spring.

-Michael

I went through the same thing, with the three kids in the back it was a very rough ride back there over bumps. I first replace the stock shocks when I bought it at around 84k, it did help some, but not as much as I wanted. I have been looking for a set of air bags, but no one makes any that are a direct fit for the first gen X's. I ended up seeing a set of "helper springs" at Advanced Auto for 26 bucks, so for the cheap price I figured I got nothing to lose by trying, I've had them on for about a week now, havent had the chance to put all three kids in back yet, but did pull a 12 foot trailer with a washer on it, and it did seem like the helped a good bit so far. The did NOT change the ride at all when its just me and the woman in the front seats, which is what I was hoping for. I have seen similar "helpers" on JC Whitney for around 30 some bucks. Just a thought for you to consider, like I said, I know exactly what your talking about its been bugging me for a while, and I really didnt want to have to put the money out to have new spring packs put under it.

Do you mean to replace the LEAF SPRINGS if so do you witch ones to go with

Yes, I was talking about the leaf springs.

-Michael