Would like some opinions from Tacomaworld'ers

So heres the dealio. I have a '12 with 15k miles and off-road a handful of times a year now that I've moved back to SD from SLO and aren't 10 minutes from 4x4 roads. I was given a RTT for graduation that opened maybe once or twice last year.

I lifted my truck at 7k and other than some squeaks (which drive me nuts) had no problems until a few hundred ago. I now have a creaking/popping/clunking sound coming from the front when turning. Seems to be either something steering rack or LCA bushing related. Local dealer cited the lift and said they wouldn't fix it. I know magnusson-moss and have my opinions on that too.

I'm contemplating 2 options. Thought I had it figured, but I'm now waffling.

1. Take the truck back to stock (including selling the camper shell and rtt) as the stock suspension can't handle all that. I would then be able to get things fixed under warranty which is partly why I bought brand new, and the stock suspension will probably be just fine for what off-roading I do.

2. Keep the lift, tell myself that I just will have to pay for things that break out of pocket and that is the price of being lifted and enjoying things like a RTT, shell, better handling on an off road.

Thoughts? I know this site tends to be very lift-oriented. I've seen some people say they don't off-road a lot and get suggestions to buy an Icon stage 18 with quadrouple bypasses and 39" MT's. Try to stay objective. Thank you, really appreciate the insight and opinions.

 

OME 885/Dakars. And the service guy actually was pretty cool considering they turned me away. He showed me that they didn't record the lift, just wrote (Complains of noise - aftermarket) on the screen. They were actually the ones who suggested I go back to stock and bring it back in.

 

2

 

I didn't get a quote for fixing it. The dealer just said they wouldn't do the work because it was lifted, and when I came to discuss it, they had already moved the truck to the waiting area.

 

I wish I would have known that what you did was a possibility. I definitely would have had the dealer buy/install it. I will get another opinion from another dealer. It was pretty shi**y that they didn't even quote me a fix, just said no and moved the truck. It was a Friday...

 

the latter #2 but now isn't a bad time to get out if this isn't your thing..

 

I think you need information and figure out exactly what this noise really is. To be perfectly fair, noises/squeaking/ect on a truck that's been used off road is perfectly normal. You'd go absolutely insane riding in my truck... lol.

 

Agreed. Just got connected with a service guy at another dealership and as long as the first dealer didn't officially deny warranty work it sounds like he will take care of me. If that's the case, the lift stays on.

 

for squeaks, first go through a carwash that has an undercarriage spray. then get a can of liquid wrench and spray until the noise stops. rinse/repeat when noise returns.

 

Thanks. I every few weeks take some liquid wrench to it and that takes care of the squeaks. The thing I'm trying to get fixed is a loose/clunky/popping feeling.

I see a couple 'stock' votes, care to explain your opinion?

 

so I assume you've had a through look under there and tightened everything up yourself? how high is your lift and did you replace the uca's? you say its when turning, so are you sure its not rubbing?

 

I have, and have isolated my squeak to the bushings front and rear. Apparently I didn't use enough grease when I put them in.

I have. Torqued cam bolts to 100 pounds. Lift is 2.5/2.75 and its more of a side to side noise, like something in the rack is loose. No rubbing that I can tell. Only 265/75's on the truck.

 

I saw that fix, but that is not where my squeak is coming from. If i put the red straw on both sides of the bushings and coat them well, it goes away.

As for the other link, thank you. I have searched and read that too. Thats why I went under and torqued cam bolts. I would be surprised if its not a steering rack issue. My truck does wander a bit.

 

Will do. Anyone who voted for stock want to share why?

 

Could be steering, but If you're hearing a clunk sound in turns and wandering a bit, that sounds a lot like bad LCA bushings.

I have also seen uniball UCAs "clunk" in turns when super dry/un-lubed (the uniball, not the bushings)