Front end issues...

'03 Double Cab, 138K miles, OME 882s

Started getting an occasional vibration up front around 55-70 mph. I also get a clunk at low speeds, like when starting to move and turning the wheel. Steering is still fairly tight does not wander, and does not pull left or right.

I already know I have torn boots and need to replace them with the high angle boots on my workbench I've been delaying doing. Gonna check the LBJs tomorrow, and rotate the tires (285/70R16 BFG MT KM2s) and I suspect the low speed, while turning, clunk is a CV (or TRE?) issue. Anything else I should look for and or swap out while I'm pulling stuff apart?

 

Just how long have the boots been torn??

The lack of grease and dirt works wonders .

 

This will eliminate some, if not all of the clunking you feel.

Do this mod, post #42. I did this last weekend and am so stoked. I wish I'd have known about this from the beginning when I purchased my truck new, it would have been handled the 1st weekend of ownership. Good luck.

 

Too long - probably gonna swap out the CVs while I'm in there.

 

Thanks Ritchie, don't think this is my issue, but will check as well while my truck is up on blocks.

 

Update: just did a quick check

driver side 3/9 o'clock - got some play, so probably TRE or rack issue?
driver side 12/6 o'clock - solid, will double check the LBJs with a pry bar, but they got swapped on the recall less than 100K ago, so going to let them go for now. Still need to the check pax side.

Will dig further to see if if its the rack or the TREs. If its the rack, or multiple TREs, I may throw the Low Range rack in there with all the new bushings, TREs, boots, etc. And I'm going to swap out the CVs anyway, as they are probably contributing to the issue - I'll pull them and look at them, maybe get the Autozone lifetime guarantee CVs and put the high angle boots on them.

First though, tire rotation and a crap load of degreaser!

 

Another update: A little movement in the steering rack? This okay? If anything, seems like maybe bushings, but my guess looks mostly okay?

Wheels off the ground, steering column locked and moving wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock!



Wheels off the ground, momma in the driver seat turning the steering wheel left and right.



And...looks like the stabilizer bar has been contacting the frame on the pax side??



crushed and cracked boot on the UBJ on the pax side



and for fun, one of my torn, grease slinging CV boots



So far then:

New UBJs (LBJs were replaced under the recall about 90-100K ago), at least new bushings for the rack, new CVs are a given, and maybe TRE's as I dig deeper when I do the CVs? Should I just redo everything?

 

I had my LBJ's replaced in 2011 under the recall at 170,000 miles and now I have 257,000 miles. I just changed them last week with OEM ones from Camelback Toyota. I saw one of the boots had a tear in it when I was replacing a CV axle. I ordered the LBJ's and had them in 3 days.

 

My LBJs seems good right now! Not going to mess with them yet, unless I have to. Other stuff seems like the might be starting go though, like UBJs, also, what could make the stabilizer contact the frame?

 

Yeah, all that grease is supposed to be inside your CVs...

Your rack bushings definitely need to go.

I've got a set of Kings and TC UCAs going in, and I'll be replacing the TREs, LBJs and rack bushings (with poly bushings) too. Those are all relatively cheap/easy things to replace, and will definitely tighten up the steering. I'd go ahead and replace the UBJs too since your BJ boots are cracked.

I replaced my BJ's about 6 years ago, but since I'm under there replacing everything else, I might as well do the LBJ's again.

I can't tell from the pics, but do you have a diff drop kit on there? At 3" lift, you should...

 

Pretty much what I'm thinking as well, since I'm under there - new UBJs, LBJs, TREs, CVs, rack bushings and maybe even just do the front axle bearings as well while I'm at it. Looking at bushings and TREs, its not that much of a jump in $$ to just get the whole new rack from Low Range with everything included, would make the job easier as well. Why new UCAs, what do you gain from that? And yes, got a diff drop!

 

I got extended travel King coilovers, so you need new UCAs for proper alignment and extra droop of the coilovers. I went with a Total Chaos uniball because I plan to beat on it and wanted the extra strength from the uniball as opposed to getting an aftermarket ball joint style UCA (those still correct for the alignment, but aren't quite as durable).

 

Gotcha!

 

I have Icon ext. travel CO's w/ Camburg UCA's. 2 years ago I replaced the rack bushings then last summer, replaced the whole rack, wheel bearings and both CV axles since I am running it at 3" of lift. I have a diff drop also. I'm thinking about dropping it down to 2.5".

 

This wouldn't account for vibrations...

 

You are correct, clunking like I stated.
Vibes are another topic.

 

Sorry misread. What I saw was "this will solve all your problems"