Hey guys,

I am new to this forum but have already received a ton of good information via searches about rear axle work, etc.

First off, my truck is a 99 4-runner (bought new) 4wd, 5-speed with 100K on it. All of them are my miles, well-maintained vehicle (i've changed the oil 21x myself since new). I do probably 90% road driving, but go camping, fishing and mtnbiking so it has seen a bit of off-roading in its years (4wd roads, washboards, and pushing it hard and fast through flatter sandy sections, plus once or twice a little bit of air....on stock equipment).

However, I have never done anything to the suspension beyond stock because I always knew the 4-runner was top notch as a stock vehicle and i wasn't going to get too hairy like some of the stuff guys do in this forum.
That said, I am having suspension issues that some pretty good tire&wheel shops and even dealer can't pin down.
Two years ago, the rig was really wallowing on the freeway in high speed doglegs, so i figured at 85K miles it was time to put new shocks on. I just simply ordered up what looked to be replacement shocks from Autoparts warehouse: KYB (# KYKG9025 and KYKG54317) for front and rear. That seemed to work...a bit, for a few thou miles, but not for long and didn't cure the problems completely that i was having.
First of all, it's sad that brand new shocks after 15,000 miles flat out suck. Here are the problems I am having.

1. Quick lane changes or slight turns at Fwy speeds = rocking side to side of the vehicle before steadying itself (never had that when the rig was new)
2. sometimes on fwy it feels as if its on marbles, it wanders a bit, front end and rear end (i've had plenty of wheel alignments up the ying yang by good tire shops in case you were wondering)
3. I find it hard to believe, but i think there is play in the steering box, as it doesn't track absolutely true when you apply steering input. Could a japenese-made rig actually have a worn box at 100K miles? I thought that only happened to my old american cars.
4. when you jump on it at higher speeds or back off gas suddenly at speed, you feel directional shifting at front or rear (dealer checked motor mounts and said they were solid)

Tire and wheel shop said a tie rod had some play so they replaced one side - didn't do much. guy said wheel bearings and ball joints felt fine too. One dude at the dealer said the differential mount (rubber) could be shot. I'm dubious as to whether such a thing even exists on the rig.

Is it entirely possible that my bullet-proof toyota 4-runner actually has a worn-out suspension at 100K miles? I would be seriously disappointed in all the hype around Toyota's famous 4WD history if that were the case. I have not abused or driven this b*tch that hard compared to what you guys do.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what i could check to see what is causing all of this? Could i actually have bought defective KYB shocks? since i don't see a lot of posts where guys have put KYBs on their rigs, i am starting to think that they are generally lame. Thoughts on that? Was that mistake #1? I just assumed they would be better than factory shocks.

I've searched the forum but not really found anything helpful on these issues

 

I would check the shocks, 100,000 miles is a lot of miles for them, so i would expect them to be very worn out at this point, so i would start there first. also inspect the suspension and steering for anything else that could be getting loose at this point.

 

swaybar mounts and end link bushings?

 

Myyota - i did put new shocks on, 15,000 miles ago...the KYB's. does anyone know anything about those things?

xxxtreme22r - i know where the swaybars are, but where or what are the end link bushings?

 

the end links are what attach the sway bar on each side to the control arms.

swaybar mounts are what attach the swaybar to the frame.

 

oh and I am not sure, but do the 99's have a steering damper (stabilizer)? I don't think so though. If they do I would look into that as well.

 

thanks for the tips XXXtreme22r

 

I own a 01 Runner with 115, plus. Knock on wood when it comes to steering and suspension outside of anual aligments. I've only needed shocks and a alignment when I had the 3" lift put in. I would first stop driving on the freeway and have a reputable front end shop go over every inch. The cost is out weighed by the safety factor when it comes to your life or someone else. As for KYB shocks my mechanic said they are good shocks and he's been twisting a wrench for 30 plus years.I'll give him a shout and see what he thinks he has a 99 Runner.

 

check your rear trac bar, its the bar that goea from the frame to the axle to control lateral movement, this bar should be flat or very close to it, if it is at an angle it wil push and pull the axle sideways while going over bumpy road, could just be a worn bushing on the end there, I would also try some better shocks, it sounds as if by wallowing you mean rocking a little side to side like body roll back and forth, I put on some top of the line monroe's, well as top of the line you can get for monroe, on mine and after one wheeling trip they were shot, i took them off recently to do my SAS and two of them had no resistance at all, they were only 6 months old. bilstein makes a good shock and i think that is what comes factory at least ive seen them on stock tacos. maybe upgrade to a firmer valved shock or better yet adjustable like rancho 9000's hope it helps good luck let us know if you find a solution

 

This is what I found out this could be sings under inflated tires,of a bad power steering system or it's components,drive line components,lateral control bar,any of the control arms or it's components bushings mount points ect.. these are just a few things.Get it fixed it could save your life. Problems like this can go bad quickly!!

 

thanks for the tips guys.
i guess i will get under there with a breaker bar and start checking for flex and play