LBJ replacement? Thoughts please!

3.....2.....1.....go

So I've had my tacoma for about 2 years now. Still love it, but it rides like dogS#1T. The slightest bump causes it to wander and its just so rough on bumps. At highway speeds, it vibrates to the point you can see the passenger seat shaking.

Ive taken it onto off road shops to be told its the wheels and tires, the lift spacers, the steering rack, and even "tacomas ride rough". Now ive read a decent amount on what could be causing this, but im at a loss at where to start. Ive read that these problems can be expected when lifting over 3 inches with stock UCAs, but I dont think im in that category. I dont really care for spacer lifts, but ive run them before on different trucks and they were never THAT bad.

The other day a buddy noticed that the tires seem to be wearing on the outsides and that the truck looks like the tires tilt inward at the bottom (camber?). He suggested replacing LBJs and I'm starting to wonder if this may be a major part of my problem after I noticed one of them leaking.... They dont pop that ive noticed, but potholes or bumps definitely suck.

So back ground info.....It has some kind of spacer kit in the front end with lift blocks on the back and is running 285/70/17s. Spacer kit bugs me, but I dont really offroad or anything so its not a big priority....i dump too much money into my old ford truck anyway. Its got just under 110k miles on it. Should I be looking at ball joints? If not where should I start? Any input is appreciated, pics below.

 

How often are you rotating those tires?

 

Typically every other oil change.

 

I noticed all the dark and light spots looks like they’re cupping. I’d rotate them every oil change.

 

Im thinking it may be more affordable to purchase a set of UCAs then...as I dont believe I will be able to clear the 33s without the spacers or some other type of lift. Do you think this would also cause the vibration and clunking as well?

I have at times considered going to billies with 887s to hopefully improve the ride. I think it'd come out to about 2.5"....guess id still need UCAs?

 

I agree with this as well.. I rotate every 5-6k.. rear tires go straight forward and the front tires cross to the rear

 

Get alignment and balance tires I would start with that.

 

The caster could cause the wander but caster doesn’t wear tires. Camber and toe do

 

Toe and camber will cause it to wander also

 

OP what do the upper ball joints look like? And what do the outer tie rods look like?

 

This.

And also... the wacky tire wear is what I have commonly seen on AT tires of the sort with very different size lugs, one will wear much quicker than the one next to it etc. But yes rotate them or even have them flipped on the rim.

 

The upper bj pic that on looks kinked. Both boots are torn its probably time.

What trucks have you ran spacers on without problems?
Tacoma are light and imo the suspension is very sensitive.
The spacer you have shoves the entire strut down.
So the strut can bottom out b4 it hits the bump stops.
It looks like someone may has slid a piece of hose on your coil to keep it from banging.
If they did also lower your bump spots you'll have basically no travel.
I'd start with ball joints and if that doesn't work it may be time for some real suspension up front.

 

Thanks for the link. I'll do some checks tomorrow afternoon.

 

Ok guys, sorry it took a bit..between kids, work, and sidework, ive been a busy mafk.

So i did a couple of checks this afternoon. Jacked up the front end and with my hands on the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock wiggling back and forth, i did not have any play that i could feel. With my hands at 3 and 9 o'clock, i had some serious play. I was able to wiggle the tire enough with one hand to see the tie rod balljoint where it connects to the hub assembly (sorry if its not the right terminology lol) moving around. Bad tire rod?

So for the LBJs, they are torn and leaking a little grease, but they dont seem to have any play.....although i just realized i forgot to stick a bar in between the BJ and the spindle to check.....idiot lol ill try to get to that after dinner...ole lady is making pork chops tonight. so pending the crowbar test, im not sure if i should bother with the ball joints...if they had zerks, i wouldn't even be asking about it i dont think.

What say y'all?

Also, I'm shooting to go get my tires rebalanced this week...hopefully nothing comes up.

 

See last post for the tie rods. Pics to come....right after these pork chops.

 

This is not true. Factually speaking caster does not directly cause wear or excessive wear but the technically speaking, tire wear can occur due to rolling camber which is a byproduct of excessive caster or higher than typical caster readings.

 

Pics!

 

Your truck looks pretty rust free. My lower control arms were included with the new frame. So if you qualify or are planning on getting the frame replaced just wait.

 

The TRD OR coils come with them from the factory.

 

I had no idea that applied to this body style. So what qualifies the frame for replacement? Rust obviously, but how bad? I doubt I even have surface rust as its a FL truck. Never noticed any....then again I've never looked for it.