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Truck is swapping lanes on its own!

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by sidewinder racing, Jun 15, 2011.

  1. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:01 PM
    #1
    sidewinder racing

    sidewinder racing [OP] New Member

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    Bend Oregon
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    18" ultra rims, toyo tires, 2"leveler kit
    First time posting anything so !!!!!!!!
    Just bought a 2006 Toyota Tacoma 18" rims with 265/65R18 tires. The truck has 65,ooo miles on it and is very clean rig with the exception of it wandering . had alignment done at schwabs, didnt improve it. Took it back to schwabs and they found movment in the lower control arm bushings. Les Schwabs Tech said it is bad for how new the vehicle is.
    So wanting a second opinion I took it to another shop. Said the same thing pretty much but said before you replace the bushings let me align it for max drivability not to factory spec like schwabs. When roll test was done I watched the bushings and they are moving all over the place.
    Anybody having these issues? Rack is in good shape with minimal movement in the bushings. Everything else has checked out too.
    Also I ma not familar with carrier bearings on the drive shaft, how do I know how much slop they are supposed to have?, Or when to replace it? Small amount of vibration when taking off, u-joints check out ok???
     
  2. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:04 PM
    #2
    derekabraham

    derekabraham Living vicariously through everybody

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    TW'S Hippy Liberal
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    Stick on hood scoop from Autozone.
    Aftermarket UCAs. Get them.
     
  3. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:15 PM
    #3
    cc350

    cc350 Retired Member

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    How will aftermarket UCA's help when his problem is the LCA's? OP just get the ball joints replaced, then realignment.
     
  4. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:18 PM
    #4
    nvdeserted

    nvdeserted Well-Known Member

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    Electric Dynolock tailgate, TrailGear Slides, , 285/75-16 Yoko Geolanders on Wheelers Type B, SAW 2.0 front and back, Camburg b/j UCA, 1.5" AAL, Ubolt flip, ARB bump.
    Bushings can fail at any milege if they've been subjected to misalignment, maybe a sloppy repair in the past, etc, etc. If the bushings really are toasted than all the alignments in the world won't fix them...

    And yea, aftermarket Upper Control Arms have a few degrees of extra caster designed into them to the get factory alignment specs back after lifting... if your caster is too low the truck will wander and feel squirrely.

    Back to the LCA bushings, the longer you drive on those if they're bad, the longer you subject the rest of your steering/susp to premature wear.
     
  5. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:19 PM
    #5
    jandrews

    jandrews Hootin' and Hollerin'

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    How is that going to help when the bushings are the issue?

    OP, bushing replacement on these LCAs can be done, but it's a pain in the ass.

    Best option would be total chaos LCAs, but they do cost a bit of coin.
     
  6. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:24 PM
    #6
    sidewinder racing

    sidewinder racing [OP] New Member

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    Wow1 This forum is pretty cool! How much should the lower control arm bushings deflect when doing a roll test. what tells me that they are bad??
     
  7. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:27 PM
    #7
    Fisheez

    Fisheez Built Ford Tough.

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    i have the same problem after spindle installation and a cheap allignment. but i think with proper allignment it will be fine.

    Maybe just take your truck to a better shop?
     
  8. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:40 PM
    #8
    cc350

    cc350 Retired Member

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    Sorry meant bushings, was busy doing other things plus looking at TW.:eek:
     
  9. Jun 15, 2011 at 8:43 PM
    #9
    derekabraham

    derekabraham Living vicariously through everybody

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    They'll just help, more than likely. ;)
     
  10. Jun 15, 2011 at 11:27 PM
    #10
    Indian Shifter

    Indian Shifter Well-Known Member

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    maybe your truck is KNIGHT RIDER.......
     
  11. Jun 15, 2011 at 11:40 PM
    #11
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    I removed my lower control arm a couple weeks ago

    Not too hard if you're not suffering from frozen rusted bolts.

    You have to get replacement bushings from the dealer and they may need a couple days to get them.

    Then you need someone with a bearing press to press out the old ones and the new ones in.
     
  12. Jun 15, 2011 at 11:42 PM
    #12
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    Oh, and you'll need a new alignment after they're in.

    If you search, you'll find a thread on here describing LCA removal.
     
  13. Jun 16, 2011 at 12:06 AM
    #13
    GoatFiddyone

    GoatFiddyone Well-Known Member

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    My truck was new in December 2010 and I swear my truck is all over the place without fighting it. It seems like it wanders a lot. My best description is that the truck feels like it weighs 1,000 lbs on the interstate and gets blown all over. I've been to the dealership several times and they keep aligning it. That works for a couple hundred miles then I'm back to getting tossed all over.

    Is this a bushing or CA issue?
     
  14. Jun 16, 2011 at 4:28 AM
    #14
    jandrews

    jandrews Hootin' and Hollerin'

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    It's the "crosswinds beat these trucks' asses" issue.

    Bet get used to it.
     
  15. Jun 16, 2011 at 4:31 AM
    #15
    Husker Tacoma

    Husker Tacoma Member

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    I have replaced the control arm bushings before and it really sucks. Probably one of the hardest things I've ever done on a vehicle. It's true, if you don't have the correct tool for the job it will suck!!
    I use a ball joint c-clamp and vise to do it. If I had to do it again I would just take the lower arms and bushings to someone with a press. It should be pretty simple then.

    It sounds like you really need to replace those bushings. It's not safe to drive until you do. (By the way, new upper control arms won't fix worn out bushings on the lower control arm)
     
  16. Sep 30, 2011 at 5:52 AM
    #16
    Nelz1

    Nelz1 Well-Known Member

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    I 'd love to know how much play and how to check also--


     
  17. Oct 4, 2011 at 6:11 AM
    #17
    Nelz1

    Nelz1 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100 leveled bed panels fabricated, bed d rings, fog light mod.
    I have a wander issue my front end feels real light now after 5100's set at .085 level and am researching your UCA recommendation.
    If the alignment from the shop is within specs do you still feel adding UCA's will help?
    Another way I can ask - so close to being out of caster spec will afffect the ride?

    Thanks for any help..




     
  18. Oct 4, 2011 at 6:28 AM
    #18
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

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    alot of metal, small engine, decent travel.
    caged, camburg long travel, 50t leafpack (soon to be installed) light rack over cab, 5pt harnesses etc
    at .85 of lift in the front ucas is not your problem
     
  19. Oct 4, 2011 at 8:12 AM
    #19
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    You lack enough positive caster; within spec is not good enough, especially if you're running larger wheels/tires.
    Your lack of caster is compounded by the fact your LCA bushings are shot. When in motion the whole lower control arm moves to the rear, taking away from your positive caster
    I would get the bushings addressed first and hope the mounting ears haven't spread.

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/40470-ucas-alignment.html
     
  20. Oct 4, 2011 at 8:47 AM
    #20
    Nelz1

    Nelz1 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks so much splitbolt for that great information!!



     

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