King Off-Road Racing Shocks - Squeaking

I got my long sought after Tacoma about 6 months ago - a 2018 OR that had a lot of upgrades/modifications and a few owners prior to me. It has a lift with king racing shocks but we have no history on when they were installed. We've had the truck inspected a couple times for major issues, had cam boots replaced and a ball joint replaced, but other than that they say it's in great shape. One problem - the suspension is squeaky as hell! The guys that worked on it last said that kings are notorious for this and recommended we get some white lithium spray grease/showed us where to apply. This worked slightly, but not for long and seems to work less and less each time we lubricate.

When I called another local shop that rebuilds kings, he said he doesn't think this is typical of kings. When I asked how I would know when they need to be rebuilt he said they would be leaking, which they aren't, but also didn't give me any insight as to why they are squeaking....

Anyone have kings and can offer any help?? I've seen a video about a bearing potentially causing this and needing to be replaced. Any help or things to know about king shocks in general appreciated!

 

Do you know for a fact that the kings are squeaking? Can you pin point exactly where? Since you don't know the history, miles, etc. I'd recommend having them all rebuilt when you get the chance. Does it have enough nitrogen in it and also, how do the shafts look? Any pitting on it and my guess is the bottom shock seal is making the noise.

 

No idea, my best guess is it's something with the suspension/shocks because when I go over bumps is when it squeaks the most. I'm adding some photos

 

More photos of shafts

 

First I would determine which end the noise is coming from - Front/Rear (Or both). You could also have someone shake the truck while you look an listen to see if you can find the specific spot that's making the noise.

My guess would be the bottom bearings as you mentioned, which wouldn't require a full rebuild of the shock, but if you don't know the last time they've been serviced it wouldn't hurt to research that as well just to be ready for when the time comes. Your SPC Upper Control Arms may also need to be greased, It's recommended to grease the ball joint every 5-10,000 miles (best practice is to give them a few pumps of grease whenever you get your oil changed). The ball joints are replaceable for a few hundred bucks, and the King bottom bearings are much cheaper at around $15.

King Shocks Bearings / Spherical Bearings - Shop I would highly recommend

 

Is the noise coming from the front? Rear? Can you have a few heavy friends bounce the truck and pinpoint the area that makes the most noise? Once you have pinpointed the noise, spray that exact part with water, and did the noise go away?

Kings are not known to make a squeak noise if they are healthy. How many miles on the truck? Do you know how many miles are on the Kings? Are the rear leaf springs factory, or are they ARB Old Man Emu Dakars, which are well known to make a ton of noise?

Spraying grease on the outside of stuff is not a true fix. It's more of a bandaid.

Your SPC upper control arms will make clunking noises when the upper ball joint is dry, and when they fail, and the bushings will make a clunking noise when they fail, too.

 

Its most likely the lower bearings and front lower coilover over bolts. The OEM has a small 0.5MM step down that can wear out the misalignment spacers on aftermarket shocks.

I sell complete kits with upgraded bearings that will last longer than the mild steel that Kings come with.

Good: https://www.303shockservices.com/product-page/2-5-coilover-lower-mount-replacement-bearing-kit
Better: https://www.303shockservices.com/pr...-coilover-lower-mount-replacement-bearing-kit
Best: https://www.303shockservices.com/pr...-coilover-lower-mount-replacement-bearing-kit

We also have upgraded lower bolts that are shanked and a constant diameter vs the stock bolts.

https://www.303shockservices.com/product-page/toyota-lower-shock-bolt-set


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