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86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

front end shake

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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 09:53 AM
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front end shake

lately when I drive 55 or above my truck shakes in the front end so I went to balance my wheels just to rule that out. But when I jacked my truck up I noticed there is some play in the steering in the right wheel. But in both wheels there is some up and down play as if both wheel bearings are bad. Is there anything that would these two things to happen together or are they separate fixes? Also what else should I look for?
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 09:55 AM
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How's your idler arm?
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:28 AM
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That was my other guess since it hasnt been touched in the life of the truck (which is only 100000 miles). Would that cause the up and down play? and would i have to replace the whole arm or just the bushings?
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:37 AM
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check your drivelines also
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 11:13 AM
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check your drivelines also
What do you mean? check them for what?
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 12:58 PM
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The stock Idler arms are rebuildable but most people just replace them. 100,000mi. It's probably time for a new one and yes it would cause the play in your steering. The up and down play sounds more like your wheel bearings.

Are you getting a "shake" or a "vibration"?

Last edited by neoworm0; Apr 9, 2009 at 12:59 PM.
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 03:24 PM
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It's more of a shake. I feels like the front end is moving side to side really fast if that makes any sense. If the wheel bearings went would they start making noise on their way out? That's the only thing stopping me from thinking both bearings are bad
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Old Oct 17, 2012 | 05:39 AM
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sounds like the same issue Im having w/ my 92 2wd.....

Have you ever solved this problem?
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Old Oct 17, 2012 | 07:09 AM
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Can't be too many things so start simple.
Rotate the tires and see if it changes or goes away.
Balance the tires.
Idler arm.
Wheel bearings.

:wabbit2:
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Old Oct 17, 2012 | 01:39 PM
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I had the same problem with my 89 2wd.All the steering linkages were tight and had new wheel bearings.The only thing loose on mine was the steering box.I pulled of the steering dampner and tried to move it by hand in and out and there was very little resistance.And after replacing it all is well no more shaking.
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Old Oct 17, 2012 | 03:45 PM
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I recently had to go through this. My truck needed an idler arm, pitman arm and both lower ball joints. I did all this and got an alignment and although the truck did a lot better, the tires had been beaten on with the alignment in that condition for so long they needed to be replaced. They had been rotated by the previous owner but he never took care of the alignment issues. All 4 tires turned out to be out of round. I replaced the tires and now it drives like a dream down the road. After I get shocks I'll really be in business!

Good luck figuring it all out.
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Old Aug 14, 2016 | 05:05 PM
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this is next on my list to do on puff. around 55, i get a rather violent side to side shake that appears to be front end only.

tires are new and have been rotated and balance checked so i can rule that out. i'll try to get some help from someone rotating the steering wheel while i see what all is loose, but i'm expecting at least ball joints and idler arm.
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Old Jun 6, 2018 | 09:30 PM
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Did you ever figure it out?

Originally Posted by nuclearlemon
this is next on my list to do on puff. around 55, i get a rather violent side to side shake that appears to be front end only.

tires are new and have been rotated and balance checked so i can rule that out. i'll try to get some help from someone rotating the steering wheel while i see what all is loose, but i'm expecting at least ball joints and idler arm.

Im having a feeling of like unbalance somewhere and it feels like im rocking diaginal if that makes sense, I bought brand new tires and rims and had them balanced and I've replaced my idler about 5000 ago tie rod ends about 10,000 ago and feel "wobbling" in the steering wheel and my seat but more in the steering wheel, I also have some play in the steering wheel which seems to me that I have a bad tie rod or something maybe? I have no clue. Please help. 1991 SR5 PICKUP (auto hubs)

Last edited by Ryryalberto; Jun 6, 2018 at 09:31 PM.
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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Ryryalberto
I... I also have some play in the steering wheel which seems to me that I have a bad tie rod or something maybe? I have no clue. Please help. 1991 SR5 PICKUP (auto hubs)
With wheels on ground, engine running, transmission in neutral, have someone try turning steering wheel while you observe the parts you are suspecting. What do you see? Take a video so we can be right by our truck.
Also, Try searching the forum; Someone on forum recently had steering wheel play / steering box issue fixed... Was it Melrose? Magnet?
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Old Jun 17, 2019 | 05:26 AM
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DUUUUDE I have the same issue right now! 2006 Sport 4WD 4.7. I have had it looked over by multiple shops who don't know! did you get this solved.
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Old Mar 13, 2021 | 12:53 AM
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Duuuuuuude

Originally Posted by TheDeacon
DUUUUDE I have the same issue right now! 2006 Sport 4WD 4.7. I have had it looked over by multiple shops who don't know! did you get this solved.

2007 4Runner Sport, similar problems. Did you get yours sorted out?
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