Bad rattle from front left suspension - YotaTech Forums
YotaTech Forums  

Go Back   YotaTech Forums > Toyota Forums Available > Toyota SUV & Truck Tech > 86-95 Trucks & 4Runners

Notices

Welcome to Yotatech!
Welcome to Yotatech,

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 02-12-2007, 05:57 PM   #1 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
navyredneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 378
Bad rattle from front left suspension

I installed bj spacers 10k miles ago and also have aisin manual hubs. I've gone through 2 cv axles since the bj spacer install (one prior to that). I've retorqued everything and anything that was loose got thread-lock blue. I put the truck on the lift last week to rotate my tires and all the ball joints looked good.

I could not budge the tire shaking from the 6 and 12 o'clock position but when I try at 3 and 9 o'clock.... I can see the whole steering linkage moving. It's slight but it looks like the steering stabilizer is moving? Oh, and this is with the steering wheel locked.

I've also tried to budge the cv axle on either side and it doesen't move so I think my spindle bearing is good.

My wheels move good and I don't hear any noise unless I go over bumps. So I think that eliminates the wheel bearings.

The noise started soon after the bj spacer install when I got the alignment done which required me to replace the tie rods which were frozen. I used Moog parts (maybe a mistake?). The rattle has gotten much worse and now I can hear it over every bump. It sounds like clunk-clunk.

I've checked the a-arms for worn bushings but I can't see anything there.

I've also beat on everything I could reach with a rubber mallet and nothing seems to move.

I've tried turning the steering wheel while watching my tire and it moves as soon as I turn the steering wheel.

I've thought it could be the steering wheel and I've tried to jerk the wheel left and right but it doesen't seem to cause any additional noise and none when I'm driving straight with no bumps.

The noise is there in 4wd or not with hubs locked or not. Offroad now it seems an almost constant rattle over every bump, even the smallest. Currently I'm planning on taking it to the alignment shop to see what they can tell me. Any other ideas?
This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!
__________________
1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around
navyredneck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2007, 08:15 PM   #2 (permalink)
Registered User
 
fthertime666's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: the fire center, lawton ok
Posts: 216
bad bearing in the side-shaft axle tube maybe? Or... rock stuck up in suspension? (that actually happened to me)
__________________
US ARMY 63B, 94 toy PU, bj spacers, Downey adjustable front shock mounts, lo-pro bumps, 2in lift in the rear, 2inch BL with poly mounts, POS 22re, 4.88s with rear ARB, 33x10.5 BFG MTs, Bigrocks front and rear bumpers, Siege Engineering OBA
fthertime666 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 01:57 PM   #3 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
navyredneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 378
fthertime666, how would I check to see if it was that bearing?

Here are some pictures of my steering linkages (the one that moves when I shake the front wheels):

head-on view of suspension:


passenger side:


driver's side:


close-up view of driver's side:


When I beat on the blue bar, it rattles. Is it supposed to have daylight at the yellow and red arrows? That seems strange to me...
__________________
1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around
navyredneck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 03:47 PM   #4 (permalink)
Registered User
 
ovrrdrive's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,775
Well, I can't say whether or not yours, or mine for that matter, is normal, but here's a pic of the same parts on my truck and they look just like yours...


__________________
'95 xcab - SOLD

'03 4runner V8 SR5 completely stock
ovrrdrive is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 03:49 PM   #5 (permalink)
Registered User
 
ovrrdrive's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,775
Btw, are you sure it isn't the brake pads rattling in the calipers?
__________________
'95 xcab - SOLD

'03 4runner V8 SR5 completely stock
ovrrdrive is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 03:59 PM   #6 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
leebee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: marlbank, canada
Posts: 2,450
its probably your idler arm, the bushings inside have probably worn out and you are hearing it rattle. mine is being torn off to be repaired, the rebuild kit is available from the dealer at a pretty good price. my kit was less than 10$cdn iirc.

hope this helps.

lee
__________________
93 sr5 v6 auto, 4x4

Photos http://s866.photobucket.com/albums/a...albumview=grid


there are quite some attractive ladies on here with Toys. (compliments of ironmike)


ifsc 3(.0)

http://tlca.org
www.of4wd.com
www.sontt.com
leebee is online now  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 04:11 PM   #7 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
navyredneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 378
Ovrrdrive, I don't think it's the brake pads as I can still hear the noise when I'm braking. Thanks for the picture of your truck, though. It's good to know that it isn't those parts.

Will rebuilding my idler arm be a waste of my time if it isn't the source of the rattle? When I was beating on it with the mallet it sounded a lot like the rattle I hear offroad (and now onroad if I hit even the smallest bump).
__________________
1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around
navyredneck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 04:58 PM   #8 (permalink)
Registered User
 
fthertime666's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: the fire center, lawton ok
Posts: 216
Quote:
Originally Posted by navyredneck View Post
Ovrrdrive, I don't think it's the brake pads as I can still hear the noise when I'm braking. Thanks for the picture of your truck, though. It's good to know that it isn't those parts.

Will rebuilding my idler arm be a waste of my time if it isn't the source of the rattle? When I was beating on it with the mallet it sounded a lot like the rattle I hear offroad (and now onroad if I hit even the smallest bump).
if it sounds like that when you beat it, then thats prolly what it is Remove that sucka and disassemble. the bj spacers put a good load on that idler arm when they flex, its pretty easy to remove and take apart/ inspect the bushings. Goodluck!
__________________
US ARMY 63B, 94 toy PU, bj spacers, Downey adjustable front shock mounts, lo-pro bumps, 2in lift in the rear, 2inch BL with poly mounts, POS 22re, 4.88s with rear ARB, 33x10.5 BFG MTs, Bigrocks front and rear bumpers, Siege Engineering OBA
fthertime666 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 05:12 PM   #9 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
Exeter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Posts: 236
Send a message via AIM to Exeter
Quote:
Originally Posted by leebee View Post
its probably your idler arm, the bushings inside have probably worn out and you are hearing it rattle. mine is being torn off to be repaired, the rebuild kit is available from the dealer at a pretty good price. my kit was less than 10$cdn iirc.

hope this helps.

lee
Do you by chance have a part number on this? I have a strange rattle also, for a decent price may as well try it.
__________________
-Keith

'94 4Runner l 3VZE + A340H l 164,000 miles l 1" 4Crawler BL l LC Coils l BJ Spacers l Rancho's l Mickey Thompson MTZ l Rear Powertrax Lock Right
Exeter is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 06:55 PM   #10 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
navyredneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 378
Well, I got someone to move the steering wheel while I watched the idler arm and I couldn't see any play before movement occured. I'll probably still go ahead with the replacement as it has to be pretty beat up.
__________________
1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around
navyredneck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2007, 07:05 PM   #11 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
navyredneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 378
Here's a dumb question. I'm pretty sure the rattle is from the driver's side where the pitman arm is. That rebuild is different from the idler arm rebuild, correct?
__________________
1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around
navyredneck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2007, 10:49 AM   #12 (permalink)
Registered User
 
BeaterToyota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Warrenton, VA
Posts: 644
This may sound pretty stupid, but have you checked your shocks? When my '88 was still IFS it would eat lower shock bushings every 6 months or so. The shocks would then rattle around A LOT, and make a ton of noise.
BeaterToyota is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2007, 11:05 AM   #13 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
navyredneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 378
Yeah, both front shocks are brand new with locktite on the threads. Shock bushings were replaced with the shock and are new as well.
__________________
1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around
navyredneck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2007, 05:06 PM   #14 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
leebee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: marlbank, canada
Posts: 2,450
these are the pt #'s for the rebuild kit i purchased:

90304-31012 dust seal, 1
94184-61400 nut, 1
45497-28010 cap, brkt, 1
90386-19005 bushing, 2

these are for a 93 runner 4x4 v6 auto and should work on most runners and trucks.

lee
__________________
93 sr5 v6 auto, 4x4

Photos http://s866.photobucket.com/albums/a...albumview=grid


there are quite some attractive ladies on here with Toys. (compliments of ironmike)


ifsc 3(.0)

http://tlca.org
www.of4wd.com
www.sontt.com
leebee is online now  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2007, 05:56 PM   #15 (permalink)
Contributing Member
 
navyredneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 378
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeaterToyota View Post
This may sound pretty stupid, but have you checked your shocks? When my '88 was still IFS it would eat lower shock bushings every 6 months or so. The shocks would then rattle around A LOT, and make a ton of noise.
You are a genius! I finally took the truck to the guy that did my alignment hoping he would test drive it and tell me where my rattle is. He didn't and instead put it right on the lift. He pushed the front end up and down and immediately showed me my rattle. The driver's side shock bushing was loose which really ticked me off. That thing had come loose 4 months ago so I put locktite on it and torqued it down with everything I had. Anyway, he used an impact wrench on it and did the other side. Sure enough, on the ride home, I didn't get any rattles!

So I found my rattle and he didn't charge me for a thing. The name of the shop is Joe's Alignment in West Ashley (part of Charleston). He does awesome work on suspensions and isn't afraid to work on lifted trucks like most places around here... I've been thoroughly impressed with his work and he even let me get in the bay when he was messing with my suspension to show me the rattle.
__________________
1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around
navyredneck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
bushing, n85, ome, shock

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
funky noise in front left suspension 89macrunner 95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 5 08-09-2005 11:36 AM
Front left suspension noise Roadtripr 95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 25 08-24-2004 02:50 PM
Anyone else have a bad left knee and a 5-speed? Grumpy_98 95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 10 08-02-2004 08:55 AM
Suspension-related rattle question Roadrunner 95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 9 01-02-2004 11:15 AM
Bad Bearings Causing Rattle?? Erich_870 95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4 04-23-2003 01:42 PM


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.1.0
Powered by vbWiki Pro . Copyright ©2006, NuHit, LLC
2009 InternetBrands, Inc.