New England B.S. Thread

^This is generally my thinking as well. I don't know what Toyota is putting on the Tacoma from the factory now-days, but when I had my SR5, it came with Tokiko shocks and they left a lot to be desired. Same with just about any manufacturer it seems (at least in my opinion). My last 4 or 5 trucks, the stock shocks never made it past about 20k miles and I'd had enough. They weren't blown or worn out, they were just garbage. I figure I'll swap them early in the truck's life and enjoy a good ride for the majority of the time I own the vehicle. I'm also fairly particular about how my vehicles ride so I may not be the best influence when it comes to shocks...

 

My rear shocks came off. But the top nut had to be cut off on one. The other was ok.
The fronts I farmed out with my parts. My theory on oem parts. Is always just enough to pass the feds test. Not longevity’s test. So the mfg’s use the cheapest grade materials to mass produce and make a bigger profit. So upgrading everything that gets used. From wipers to tires gets replaced period.

 

I had to cut the top nut off of both of my rear shocks. These were Bilstein and other than some rust were still functional.

 

So, I got an oil change and tire roto at the dealer and now I'm hearing a groaning noise coming from the front wheel areas. Started as soon as I left the service center. Seems brake related. Happens in forward idle, reverse, while applying the brake at low speeds, really bad when inching up in traffic. Groaning stops once I throw it in neutral.

My guess is that the tech who slammed my lug nuts on with an impact un may have warped my brake rotors. I took it back to the dealer immediately and they said could hear the noise but couldn't figure out the issue.

Any guesses on what might be wrong?

 

I wonder if putting anti seize compound on with the new shocks would help keep that from happening?

 

I was driving behind this Jeep in Boston traffic this morning. It’s pretty cold to have no roof or windshield.

 

Probably would help but if I get another 160K out of shocks I’ll never need to change them again.

 

Obligatory "We're not in Kansas any more..." quote.

 

Brake dust shield maybe? Super easy to smack a little bit when putting a wheel/tire on (or taking it off) and makes a racket

 

Possibly but,
99% of every shock install is a permanent one. So the need other than a rusty shock stud isn’t there. Or is it? I’m ocd in some areas when it comes to rust and I gotta tell ya , shocks get a pass.

 

i give a shot of fluid film to my shock tops whenever im in the wheel area, but i dont obsess about it. No major rust

 

You're likely right. If I change them at 100K, I might well not even own the truck at 200K.

In any case, I got it back from the body shop yesterday. More on that later, I'm still getting used to driving it again after a month in the Hyundai. Which might be why the ride is a bit rougher in to me.
More on the truck later on.

 

Haven’t started her up since Thursday. No time like the present

 

^^ I bet this is the issue. They likely put a slight bent in one of the brake dust shields. They can make a pretty terrible noise when they're rubbing the rotor.

 

Probably the only thing on earth that would mimic the pterodactyl mating call.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo_Z4KLhPfI
(This commercial is gold)

 

Got the truck back yesterday. Looks great. They ended up painting the entire left side, or at least the bed, cab, and doors. I think also the left fender. Got a remanufactured wheel to replace the one that got hit and had a gouge in it.

Which brings me to the only thing that I'm not sure of. Or at least totally sure of.

In my original post on January 6 or 7, I mentioned a "whump, whump, whump" sound when I got above about 30mph. That's why I originally wanted it towed. I ended up driving home on back roads since I had no idea what was causing it.

After I picked the truck up I noticed that the sound is still there. It seems to be coming from the left rear wheel/tire, which makes sense since that's where it got hit. No vibration, no shaking, truck had an alignment as part of the repair.

My thought is that it's a flat spot on the tire. I checked the drum on that side today and it's not hot like it would be if that brake was dragging. I don't think it's a bent axle since that would show up when they were working on it.

Does that sound reasonable? I'm going to stop by the body shop this week and talk to the owner or the office manager. I just want to make sure I'm not crazy.

I know that there are a couple of members in the Brockton area and if someone is willing to go for a quick ride tomorrow or Thursday that would be good. PM me if you're around.

I'm aware I'm obsessing, but I'm a Tacoma owner.

 

The spare should be the same tire as your other four, correct? You could put that on and rule out the tire / wheel (I know it's a replacement) completely.

 

I thought about that, but forgot to mention it. That would probably be the easiest way to find out.