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

Dealer says aftermarket suspension is cause of squeaking [Solved]

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by stvstoy, Sep 8, 2016.

  1. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:20 AM
    #1
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    So I took my '16 taco into the dealer today because of some loud low squeaking I hear when I’m turning the wheels. It's predominantly when I'm either backing up, or sitting still. I have Icon Stage 4 with Tubular UCAs installed. The noise is smooth, but loud.

    Senior service tech said the noise is coming from my “aftermarket suspension system” and there’s nothing he can do about it.

    As far as I can tell, it doesn't make this noise when the front suspension is compressed/decompressed.

    I'm wondering if this is just a classic case of tech sees aftermarket parts, automatically blames it.

    All I replaced was the Coilovers and UCAs. Would turning the wheels cause this squeaking in the spindle ball joint?
     
    YotaDan likes this.
  2. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:21 AM
    #2
    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2011
    Member:
    #49636
    Messages:
    28,461
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Lake Tahoe
    Vehicle:
    2012 DCSB Sport
    ...too much shit to list.
    Race car parts make race car noises.
    Uniballs squeak if they are dirty or worn. If it bugs you, get some teflon based dry lube for the uniball.
     
    YotaDan and stvstoy[OP] like this.
  3. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:24 AM
    #3
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    Yeah, I understand that, just want to make sure that's in fact where the noise is coming from before I go back and pick up my truck. Still at the dealer.

    Also, if it was the uniball, wouldn't I hear it more when the uca is moving up and down?
     
  4. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:25 AM
    #4
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,707
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Yes, it happens. Camburg (IIRC) used to offer a Teflon lube for theirs.
     
    stvstoy[OP] likes this.
  5. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:26 AM
    #5
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2016
    Member:
    #180213
    Messages:
    66,640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    Is this the sound you were referring to on the trail last weekend? I do remember it sounded like your leaf springs were squeaking pretty loudly, I know @MADSTEEZE has that issue too and he said he gets it to go away by using a pressure hose on the leaf springs after a run. Not sure what could be causing the steering squeak though
     
    stvstoy[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:26 AM
    #6
    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2011
    Member:
    #49636
    Messages:
    28,461
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Lake Tahoe
    Vehicle:
    2012 DCSB Sport
    ...too much shit to list.
    No. It's a horizontal uniball.
    Honestly it's probably just dusty since it's so new. Use some simple green and hose it off. Otherwise: https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Flow-Lub...=1473355576&sr=8-1&keywords=tri+flow+dry+lube
     
  7. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:29 AM
    #7
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    This is coming from the front end. Yeah, I have squeaky leafs, but I'm dealing with that. If this noise is just the uniballs, not a big deal. I can get the lube and then cap them. I just wanted to be sure there's nothing else that may be failing.
     
    eon_blue[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:31 AM
    #8
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    So dealer just called me again, they said they looked at it with a few others techs and sure enough, determined the same thing we're talking about here. That's for the feedback! You guys are awesome.
     
    GHOST SHIP and YotaDan like this.
  9. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:32 AM
    #9
    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2011
    Member:
    #49636
    Messages:
    28,461
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Lake Tahoe
    Vehicle:
    2012 DCSB Sport
    ...too much shit to list.
    Uniball caps are the leading cause of uniball failures. It traps moisture under the caps.
    They're really simple to maintain, just wash your balls after you get dirty.
     
  10. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:32 AM
    #10
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2016
    Member:
    #180213
    Messages:
    66,640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    Words to live by
     
    3coma, GHOST SHIP and stvstoy[OP] like this.
  11. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:32 AM
    #11
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    :rofl: Thanks Jason!
     
  12. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:33 AM
    #12
    GHOST SHIP

    GHOST SHIP hates you.

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2015
    Member:
    #150537
    Messages:
    22,291
    First Name:
    GHOST
    Hey Steve. As others have said, it's the uniballs on your UCAs. I have the same UCAs and am aware of the same noise. I use the TriFlow drylube (actually just keep a bottle in the truck now). You'll notice it'll get worse if you ignore it so get on it right away. Be sure not to use a "wet" lubricant like WD40 or grease- uniballs don't like that. I usually apply the dry lube about once every few months as a preventative measure, but it also depends on how much you off-road and how dirty they get.
     
    stvstoy[OP] likes this.
  13. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:34 AM
    #13
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2016
    Member:
    #180213
    Messages:
    66,640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    The TriFlo lube is great stuff, I keep a small can of it in my truck too. Works great to eliminate the clutch pedal squeak I get from time to time
     
  14. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:34 AM
    #14
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
     
    GHOST SHIP[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:38 AM
    #15
    YotaDan

    YotaDan Dan

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2009
    Member:
    #15461
    Messages:
    2,361
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Oregon
    Uni-balls are pretty well known for causing loud squeeks. Camburg, Icon, Total Chaos and others all recommend keeping them clean and lubing them with Tri-Flow Dry Lube. You may need to lube them as much as 1 per month depending on the use and conditions.
    [​IMG]
     
    stvstoy[OP] and GHOST SHIP like this.
  16. Sep 8, 2016 at 10:39 AM
    #16
    GHOST SHIP

    GHOST SHIP hates you.

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2015
    Member:
    #150537
    Messages:
    22,291
    First Name:
    GHOST
    What I do is drip a bit on there and go for a quick drive around the block to let the suspension cycle. It lets the lube weep in a bit. The good thing about the DryLube is that it dries to a waxy consistency so it kinda seals any openings you might have to let dirt and moisture in. I also put some on a paper towel and quickly wipe down the underside of the uniball. More for my own sake than anything else since most of the squeak is cured from the top. Buy a couple bottles of the stuff. It lasts a long time, but I keep one in the truck and one in the garage.
     
    stvstoy[QUOTED][OP] and YotaDan like this.
  17. Sep 8, 2016 at 11:04 AM
    #17
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    Ordered
     
    YotaDan[QUOTED] and GHOST SHIP like this.
  18. Sep 13, 2016 at 4:08 PM
    #18
    stvstoy

    stvstoy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Member:
    #180314
    Messages:
    1,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Northern Utah
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen
    See Sig
    Thanks again to all for your feedback. Tr-iFlow arrived today, along with some nice little candies and sticker. Thanks @YotaDan and Michelle Wheeler !! :thumbsup:

    Also, I just want to confirm the noise coming from the uniballs. I didn't want to wait for the lube over the weekend, so I went to home depot and picked up a can of Dry Lube with teflon. It hushed the squeaking some, but that stuff comes in a spray can and got all over the place. Luckily it was easy to wipe off. Anywho, that put my mind at ease knowing that's all the noise was. Going to clean out any residue and remaining dry lube and apply the Tri-Flow. One bottle for home and one for the truck. Thanks again!
     
    YotaDan likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top