Front suspension rebuild?

Hi, I got my 2004 new and just replaced the engine at 300,000+ miles.
she is silver and took us on many adventures, and back.
I just had a remanufactured engine (LKQ) installed and now the front end feels
loose, sloppy, may not be the correct term to describe.
I have changed out the struts a few months ago and something inside the steering column. Everything else is still stock.

Does anyone have any info on what will tighten things up?
Maybe upgrade things, not for racing, basic off roading.

Thanks

 

If you've never replaced anything you probably need ball joints, tie rods, new rack bushings maybe a new steering rack.
What engine did you get 300,000+ miles out of? And what was the cause of you having to replace it?

 

Thanks ToyoTaco02
300300 miles on orig V6 engine.
Got a crack in a head and decided to go with a LKQ remanufactured engine, She' got 3000 miles now and 1st oil change.

What do you think replacing the ball joints, bushings, tie rods and steering rack will cost?

 

You can get a rack off internet for about $300 if memory serves me correct. I would start with energy suspension rack bushings. Tie rods and upper and lower ball joints here in north Texas will run around $1000 or so w/parts and alignment.

 

http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/steering_rack/toyota/tacoma.html

 

Thanks for the info.
Nice Tacoma!

 

take it to get an alignment and have them test all the bushings and tie rods. There are probably a few worn out but some are likely fine.

 

Yes, Thanks to you and other posts, I am getting a battle plan to sort out these issues.

 

Thanks, its getting up in milage as well so things are needing replaced. Hello OME suspension! By the way what was replaced in the column? I have a clunking noise that i feel in the wheel when i hit bumps like on a wash board type surface.

 

As the others said, with that many miles all the suspension/steering components need a close (and proper) inspection .

You mentioned "something in the steering column", that could be a red flag to a common Tacoma issue. Many parts and $$s get thrown at this issue/symptom . Read the whole thread below but don't be daunted by the initial procedure. When you get to post #42 the whole thing turns into a simple 1/2 hour job, outside of the tack weld.

 

Is that what cluncks on mine when i hit a washboard type suface?

 

Heck a "clunk" could be lots of things. The slip joint thing is mostly felt as a clunk when turning the steering and/or loose steering. The "check" for the steering column slip joint takes about 1 minute. If you do the slip joint, while you are in there, I would really recommend taking a close look at the "white plastic ball". It is the pivot point for the tilt steering. It is a wear item and frankly comes from the factory with "play". The shimming operation (somewhere in that thread) makes the ball fit better than new.

Low nitrogen pressure in a shock usually first shows up as a clunk type sound when the suspension cycles extremely fast, like hitting a pot hole. That clunk is actually cavitation (a momentary vacuum bubble) of the shock oil at the transition between compression/rebound. Mostly at the start of the rebound. It will seem to lag behind the initial hit.
I guess a washboard road could be considered as a series of pot holes.

 

Its got fairly new bilsteins shocks, this is felt through the whole column, like the column is bouncincing up and down.

 

Could be, "hard tellen, not knowen". I can't offer much more, just check it.

Heck, here's more.
When you do the check, clamp a pair of vise grip pliers to the lower end of the steering shaft near the spline joint. Try to twist the pliers and steering wheel in opposite directions. The pliers give additional leverage and provide a much better feel for what is going on with the slip joint and the pivot ball. Most of the play is usually in the slip joint.

 

OK, I got a appointment on Wed.
they will check out the ball joints, tie rods, etc...

I will report back with the bad news,,, I mean good news.

thanks all.

 

Great looking truck! Hopefully you get the front end issues figured out!