angryj

I should probably start by saying that I just bought this 4Runner, it's a '92 and has a solid axle swap and leaf springs in front. I'm wondering if it's possible that the front-right leaf spring is bent?
At first I thought that the shock was bad so I replaced it but with absolutely no change.

The symptoms are that whenever I turn left (weight goes to right side of truck) the right side, and specifically the front right, dips really far - almost feels like its going to roll. When I turn right, the left side does not do the same thing, but rather, feels very solid.

Anyone have any ideas?

mt_goat

Does it sit level? A pic may help.

angryj

It's not quite level - but almost. There's a slight dip on the passenger side.

Let me see if I can find a picture.

mt_goat

Maybe a broken leaf?

angryj

I inspected the leaf springs and didn't really see any cracks or bends so I'm confused as to what would cause it to be so "soft" on that side.

mt_goat

What about the rear suspension? Maybe something back there is a miss.

Jay351

Who did your solid axle swap?

angryj

No idea - the owner before the previous owner...

angryj

Rear Shot


Passenger Side


Driver's Side


(click the images for a larger version)


So I took a few more pictures, this time of the rear end. Looks like the rear passenger side has a bent (rear tie rod?) I'm not sure exactly what this is and if it could have a very noticeable affect, but it's definitely bent up.

mt_goat

I don't have a 4runner, but I think you have a bent sway bar link. That would do it.

Kind of unusual to have a truck with a SAS done but they left on the anti-sway bar. You should get some quick disconnects for that so when you're wheeling you don't FUBAR your sway bar. http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...#DisconnectsV2

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

Well you also need some bump stops up front (or at least I can't see any)


those look like Trail-Gear 5" springs. I would inspect the spring eye bushings too. After using a Trail Gear F/R kit on my truck I found out through the grapevine that T-G bushings don't have the best reliability.

That bent rear piece is a sway bar link.

edit: looks like mt.goat posted the disconnects while I was trying to get a pic to upload

mt_goat

Yeah good catch, bump stops are important too but that's probably not going to effect your road handling problem unless your leaf springs are really soft.

The disconnects may be about the same price as getting new OEM sway bar links, so you can take the lemon and make lemonaid.

angryj

Thanks guys -

Are these the same as for the rear?

Or is there a link somewhere to rear sway disconnects I can order? Would a bent rear sway bar really cause the front right to dip and be really soft on left turns?

mt_goat

Yeah the rear suspension has an effect on the front too. If you want to check it before you buy stuff, take off that bent sway bar link and pound it straight with a BFH, put it back on and try it out**.

**Warning if that link breaks while in a hard turn there will be a sudden change in handling and don't blame me for it.

That link I gave you (4crawler) has some for a 90* bend too. Either Roger or Brian can help with fitting their products.

Sway bars are weird when they get bent because they connect the left and right side together. So your right rear now is softer than it should be and your left rear is stiffer than it should be. The effect on the front can also be crossed over, ie the left rear effects the right front and visa versa.

904_runner

The coils suck with the front sas'd IMO.

Im going to convert to leafs in the back ASAP.

angryj

Yeah - I've been a little suspicious that the left rear being extra stiff may be in effect pushing the opposite corner down when in left hand turns due to the shifting weight. I'll pound out that rod tonight and re-install.

Also, I do have a set of 63" leafs for the back that I want to install. Do I just need to weld in shackle mounts and get a set of shackles?

904_runner

Um lucky, i want some 63" chevys.

There is writeups all over the place, but you are going to have to cut all the brackets off the axle, and weld on new spring perches, lower shock mounts.

You will have to cut off the links for the stock coil suspension, and weld on the spring hangars and the shackle tubes.

son_of_a_lc

I dont mind the coiled rear setup, its fourlink so you dont have to worry about axle wrap (chevy's will wrap up like a mofo) , and you can put 80 series coils in.
Just remove the sway bar and never look back. x2 on the bump stops.

angryj

What about road drivability? This 4Runner is (or will be soon) my DD.

angryj

(FWIW; this pic isn't of my vehicle, just a pic I found online)


I tried removing the passenger side bent sway bar to pound it out but I couldn't get the bottom bolt off, it just spins... Do I need to use an impact, or is there another way? (Blue circle in the pic above)

While I was down there I looked for anything else out of the ordinary - I'm not sure what this is (red-circle; torsion bar?) but the bottom inside mount was bent and the bolt was barely threaded into the head. I pounded the mount back mostly straight and tightened the bolt up a lot. It's still not perfect but there should be a lot less play in that mount than there was before hand.

The truck still tilts pretty hard in left hand turns, I'm really interested to find out if straightening that sway bar will correct it or if I should keep hunting.