1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

front end suspension issues.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by nmad91, Oct 11, 2016.

  1. Oct 11, 2016 at 7:11 PM
    #1
    nmad91

    nmad91 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2016
    Member:
    #199532
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 tacoma sr5 ext. cab
    Hey everyone, Im looking for some recommendations here. Im having some problems with the front end of my 97 tacoma bottoming out whenever i go through any kind of a dip. At first i assumed the coil springs and the shocks were worn out, which they were, so i replaced them with oem replacements from the local dealer. After all was said and done, its only scraping on about half of the dips that it used to. Im trying to figure out if theres any other part of the front end suspension that could cause this to happen. Any and all help would be much appreciated.
     
  2. Oct 11, 2016 at 7:29 PM
    #2
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    Member:
    #132892
    Messages:
    7,053
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    devin
    lewisporte Newfoundland
    Vehicle:
    2023 aclb trd or mt
    icon stage 10 kit, toytec 1" bl, 35" general x3s, 17x9.5 procomp wheels, locker anytime mod, s&b intake, blackhawk 2.1 tune,
    Post pic of the gap between lca and bump stop
     
  3. Oct 11, 2016 at 7:46 PM
    #3
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2008
    Member:
    #7448
    Messages:
    1,381
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tacoma SR5 4X
    Donahoe CO's, Deaver leaf paks, Lockright Locker, All Pro body armor ( sliders, front and rear bumpers ), All Pro under belly skids, Warn M8K w/Masterpull synthetic line, Dual Optima battery system, 4 ea LightForce Striker 170 offroad lights, 8 ea wired rock lights, and plenty more I'm sure
    ^ pictures

    I'll assume this is not a Pre-runner nor 4WD

    But the mini Taco... that sits lower to the earth ?

    Bottoming out on the bump stops ?
    What size tires ?

    Has the suspension been altered ?
     
  4. Oct 11, 2016 at 8:00 PM
    #4
    nmad91

    nmad91 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2016
    Member:
    #199532
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 tacoma sr5 ext. cab
    I just bought the truck last year. Its the sr5 model 4cyl, 5 speed manual, not the prerunner or the 4wd model. I havent altered the suspension at all, but there have been a few previous owners before myself. I dont believe its hitting the bump stops, but either the front end is actually scraping the road as i drive, or the tires are hitting the wheel well. I know the tires arent the stock size and that the old owner put hub spacers on it. 215/70515 is currently whats on there.
     
  5. Oct 11, 2016 at 8:26 PM
    #5
    McMash

    McMash The only thing better than light bars? Sarcasm.

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2015
    Member:
    #170899
    Messages:
    580
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tyler
    Gig Harbor, Wa.
    Vehicle:
    '04 Tacoma AC TRD 4x4
    Pictures would help. If you're sure it's not the bumpstops, then whether it's the tires hitting the body or part of the body/bumper hitting the pavement, there'd likely be very obvious visual rubbing/scraping signs. Have you looked under the truck? In the wheelwell?
     
  6. Oct 11, 2016 at 8:42 PM
    #6
    nmad91

    nmad91 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2016
    Member:
    #199532
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 tacoma sr5 ext. cab
    Ive looked under the truck a few times already, but there was previous damage to the entire undercarriage from the previous owner. Ill get some pictures posted tomorrow to clarify. Is there a simple test to figure out whats possibly hitting down there with all the existing grooves and dings?
     
  7. Oct 11, 2016 at 8:51 PM
    #7
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    Member:
    #132892
    Messages:
    7,053
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    devin
    lewisporte Newfoundland
    Vehicle:
    2023 aclb trd or mt
    icon stage 10 kit, toytec 1" bl, 35" general x3s, 17x9.5 procomp wheels, locker anytime mod, s&b intake, blackhawk 2.1 tune,
    Truck shouldn't actually hit the ground no matter what. Im wondering if this things got some kinda hacked lowering job done to it.
     
  8. Oct 11, 2016 at 9:12 PM
    #8
    nmad91

    nmad91 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2016
    Member:
    #199532
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 tacoma sr5 ext. cab
    I know it used to be used as a work truck. Is it a possibility that if they put spacers on the rear leaf springs that the front end would be pushed down further than its supposed to be?
     
  9. Oct 11, 2016 at 9:18 PM
    #9
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    Member:
    #132892
    Messages:
    7,053
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    devin
    lewisporte Newfoundland
    Vehicle:
    2023 aclb trd or mt
    icon stage 10 kit, toytec 1" bl, 35" general x3s, 17x9.5 procomp wheels, locker anytime mod, s&b intake, blackhawk 2.1 tune,
    It should only go down as far as the bump stops will allow.
     
  10. Oct 11, 2016 at 9:21 PM
    #10
    nmad91

    nmad91 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2016
    Member:
    #199532
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 tacoma sr5 ext. cab
    Ill have to check into that after work tomorrow. I know that the bump stops are there, but now I'm wondering if their even the right ones
     
  11. Oct 12, 2016 at 10:08 AM
    #11
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2008
    Member:
    #7448
    Messages:
    1,381
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tacoma SR5 4X
    Donahoe CO's, Deaver leaf paks, Lockright Locker, All Pro body armor ( sliders, front and rear bumpers ), All Pro under belly skids, Warn M8K w/Masterpull synthetic line, Dual Optima battery system, 4 ea LightForce Striker 170 offroad lights, 8 ea wired rock lights, and plenty more I'm sure
    I'm betting it's tire rub
    Look for scuff marks inside the wheel well.

    If the wheel and tire have the wrong offset/backspacing
    it's possible rub is occurrig on the upper control arm.

    If you can't determine what the tire is rubbing on...
    you could pull the CO and articulate the front suspension manually
    as well... turn the steering wheel full left to right when doing so.

    What size tire.... pictures
     
  12. Oct 12, 2016 at 10:10 AM
    #12
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    Member:
    #132892
    Messages:
    7,053
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    devin
    lewisporte Newfoundland
    Vehicle:
    2023 aclb trd or mt
    icon stage 10 kit, toytec 1" bl, 35" general x3s, 17x9.5 procomp wheels, locker anytime mod, s&b intake, blackhawk 2.1 tune,
    215/70515. those should clear fine.
     
  13. Oct 12, 2016 at 10:18 AM
    #13
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2008
    Member:
    #7448
    Messages:
    1,381
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tacoma SR5 4X
    Donahoe CO's, Deaver leaf paks, Lockright Locker, All Pro body armor ( sliders, front and rear bumpers ), All Pro under belly skids, Warn M8K w/Masterpull synthetic line, Dual Optima battery system, 4 ea LightForce Striker 170 offroad lights, 8 ea wired rock lights, and plenty more I'm sure
    I wouldn't place a bet on your opinion.

    Stock on a mini was probably 195 or maybe 205
    But I honestly don't know what size was factory original on the mini.
    'cause I've never owned one and never will.

    Not saying they can't be made to fit...
    but are likely what is causing the rubbing currently.
     
  14. Oct 12, 2016 at 10:19 AM
    #14
    TXpro4X4

    TXpro4X4 Fuck Cancer!

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2011
    Member:
    #66093
    Messages:
    29,258
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryan
    Costa Mesa, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 TOY
    Toy Stuff..... Faktor Amber lights on in the grill. Under front bumper led rock lighting. Center counsel c.b mod with under the hood p.a. Anytime foglight mod. R.G.B tape light for inside toekick lighting. Front and back. Front weathertech floor mats. De-Baged except TOY on tailgate. FJ style 6 speed shifter knob. Rubber tacoma bed mat. Trd exhaust. Trd 16in beadlocker style wheels. Electrical a/c 115volt plug/usb mod next to passenger knee. Fox 2.5 coilovers. Icon 2.0's in the rear. Rear locker any-time mod. Abs kill switch mod. All Pro ISF front skid Pelfrey built front differential skid Baja design pro pods Rigid pods CBI pods brackets Mobtown tailgate guard RIP Mobtown Caliraised rear amber pod lights CJ Jumper- map, running, amber fog, reverse, and license plate led bulbs Pedal Commander
    :worthless:
     
  15. Oct 12, 2016 at 10:29 AM
    #15
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    Member:
    #132892
    Messages:
    7,053
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    devin
    lewisporte Newfoundland
    Vehicle:
    2023 aclb trd or mt
    icon stage 10 kit, toytec 1" bl, 35" general x3s, 17x9.5 procomp wheels, locker anytime mod, s&b intake, blackhawk 2.1 tune,
    stock is a 205/75-15. size is so close that there basically the same.
     
  16. Oct 12, 2016 at 2:31 PM
    #16
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2008
    Member:
    #7448
    Messages:
    1,381
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tacoma SR5 4X
    Donahoe CO's, Deaver leaf paks, Lockright Locker, All Pro body armor ( sliders, front and rear bumpers ), All Pro under belly skids, Warn M8K w/Masterpull synthetic line, Dual Optima battery system, 4 ea LightForce Striker 170 offroad lights, 8 ea wired rock lights, and plenty more I'm sure
    Could be simply that the coil springs have settled over time
    and tho' those tires didn't rub before, they rub now.

    OP were your coil springs swapped for new
    when the struts were replaced ?
    Or are they still the original coils ?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top