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.

 

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.

 

*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.

 

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.

 

Check this out.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...runner-273720/

and yes, they are hard to bend
maybe try another shop

 

What are the other readings? Camber and caster? Lifted only with the spacers?

 

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

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.

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.