Need front suspension ideas

The Tacoma which was given back to me almost a year ago is still in resurrection mode. After draining and filling front diff, 5 spd trans and xfer case (transmission was like a quart low), the growling noise if gone.

We still have a vum-vum-vum rumble coming from what has to be the front suspension. The steering wheel shows a wobble and I feel it in the floorboards. It may be focused on the driviers side maybe. I have already ordered and have on hand these parts:

Power Stop Z36 complete front brake kit (calipers, rotors and pads)

$25 Moog K90255 Front Upper Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tundra

Moog K90255 upper ball joints

$37 Moog K90258 Front Left Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

Moog K90258/9 lower ball joints
Monroe Quick Struts for the front and KYB shocks for the rear
Moog K202178 Rack & pinion bushing kit


The truck now has 197K miles on it and was mildly neglected for some 18 years not in my possession.

Which wheel bearings are used on my truck? I see descriptions on RockAuto of "automatic disconnecting differential", which is what I believe I have. We have the front diff that uses vacuum to slide and lock in the front diff. I want to ensure I order the correct parts.

Are these difficult to replace whichever setup is on this truck?

I will inspect again the tie rod ends, but recall them being solid.

What else can be wrong to be replaced?

I have another question I will ask on another thread, thanks in advance for any and all help,
Michael

 

If you do not have manual locking hubs those will be the correct wheel bearings. I reccomend koyo brand ones. The wheel bearings are pressed into the knuckle. There are tools you can rent to use an impact to press the bearings in and out. Another option is to remove the knuckle and bring it to a shop and have them press the bearings in and out. How do your tires look? Did you ever get an alignment after all this work? The only real things left up front are control arm bushings and sway bar links and bushings. Do the cv boots look ok?

 

We put new Toyo 31x10.50's on shortly after getting the truck back. The BFG's had been sitting for years and had flat spots that would not roll out.

The CV boots are all in tact with no tears, and seemed to feel good when we had them out a while back attempting to replace the front diff (what we thought the problem was and is not). I have not replaced any ball joints yet, as looking to do it soon, and believe more work needs to be done while apart. No alignment has been done, but I can say the truck drives quite straight as it is. I can take my hands off the wheel going down the road and the wheel shakes maybe a 1/4-1/2 inch max. Tires were purchased and balanced at Sams. Open country all terrains I believe. Sway bar links were replaced by us )one was broken when we got it, wow is that truck swishy with no sway bar helping, lol).

Do these wheel bearing have a tendency to go bad over time, especially sitting?

Thanks for your input,
Mike

 

I don't really see wheel bearings going bad. You could always lift it up and see if they're loose. You could also put it on jackstands and put it in 4wd and try to pinpoint the noise.

 

I did exactly that today again. Physically, they have no play up and down or left to right. I went into 4WD and got into 5th gear around 20mph at idle I believe. I can hear nothing. I have the jackstands just inside the tire so the control arms are very close to normal loaded position. I am wondering if the CV axles could be the culprit, but they are at a little more of an angle than when driving on the road. This is crazy, they look fully in tact, no torn boots. I am baffled.

I can't imagine the tires being a problem, they are new Toyo's at 31x10.50's and can't see anything obviously wrong.