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

Steering knuckles are bent :( Got ideas?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-01-2013, 01:53 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
ddg71's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Steering knuckles are bent :( Got ideas?

I just did a full Moog ball joint and tie rod job on my 92 4Runner. I took it to have it aligned the tech told me that my steering knuckles were bent. It's been steering a little funky since I did the work and I have the print out, so... I guess it's true. The dealer wants almost $400 each but I've seen pics around the interwebs of some aftermarket units and some even offer lift. I have some ball joint spacers on right now to balance out the Old Man Emu springs on the rear.

Does anyone have any experience with any of the aftermarket stuff? Any help would be appreciated as I don't want to trash my brand new tires.

Thanks in advance.
Old 10-01-2013, 04:49 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
oldblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
a junkyard would be a cheap place to grab some knuckles. what were the readings?
Old 10-01-2013, 06:56 PM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
ddg71's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by oldblue
a junkyard would be a cheap place to grab some knuckles. what were the readings?
SAI
Left= 4.5 degrees : factory specified range= 11.1-12.6
Right= 23 degrees : factory specified range= 11.1-12.6

Here in Michigan these trucks are a rare thing to find. I know of only one in a junk yard and it's been buried up to its bumper in dirt and mud for years. The tech told me that even using a puller (not a pickle fork, which would have been worse) can bend these. I don't know. I did use a puller. So if that's true and these are really that easy to bend then the ones off the junk yard truck could be bent as well.

I saw a knuckle on the web that had the lift built in but now I can't seem to find it.
Old 10-03-2013, 01:03 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
ddg71's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
*bump*
Opinions, anyone? I'd rather no go to the junk yard for something like these given the amount of work involved in removing them and rolling the dice that they aren't crap, too.
Old 10-03-2013, 03:29 PM
  #5  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
RustBucket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1,802
Received 24 Likes on 17 Posts
Never heard of a bent one before. What the heck did you do to it???

I'd be inclined to source a stock replacement from someone on this site parting out or doing a SAS.
Old 10-03-2013, 03:40 PM
  #6  
Contributing Member
 
Marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,241
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Check this out.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...runner-273720/

and yes, they are hard to bend
maybe try another shop
Old 10-03-2013, 04:08 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
j2the-e's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
What are the other readings? Camber and caster? Lifted only with the spacers?
Old 10-04-2013, 08:09 AM
  #8  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
ddg71's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RustBucket
Never heard of a bent one before. What the heck did you do to it???

I'd be inclined to source a stock replacement from someone on this site parting out or doing a SAS.
Thanks for that link. Actually, I didn't do anything crazy. I just replaced the BJs and tie rods on it. I've never beat on it and it's never been in an accident. It's had 2 other owners so, who knows. I just know that it didn't used to steer like this before

Originally Posted by Marc
Check this out.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...runner-273720/

and yes, they are hard to bend
maybe try another shop
I kinda figured that they were. I've a couple FJ40's but this is my first 4Runner so I'm not super familiar with IFS toyotas. I'm pretty confident in the shop. It's a big dodge dealer here in town and I used to work there in the body shop. As far as dealers go, they're pretty legit.

Originally Posted by j2the-e
What are the other readings? Camber and caster? Lifted only with the spacers?
Here, this might be better:
http://www.digitalkungfoo.com/align.jpg
That's the printout. Yes, only lifted with the spacers. Nothing else other than the springs in the back.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
glowz825
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
5
01-25-2022 09:28 AM
msane99
Pre 84 Trucks
11
07-27-2015 06:14 PM
yoterr
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
4
07-24-2015 04:29 AM
yourrealdad
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
2
07-21-2015 11:13 AM
jon.r
General Vehicle Related Topics (Non Year Related)
8
07-11-2015 03:34 PM



Quick Reply: Steering knuckles are bent :( Got ideas?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:55 AM.