2003 Front end vibration after new CVD's

[VertigoPerformance]

I am starting a new thread because I am hoping specific help.

First I am going to vent.
I added a Toytec lift and 18 months in one of the front springs broke, we don't use the truck for off roading (No time) except on gravel roads, we've never taken them harsh off roading.
Toytec blamed corrosion for the break and I had to make threats to get them to cover the spring then they charged me full price for the second spring..
Second complaint is:
We installed the same Toytec lift in my buddies truck and at the same time we bought leveling kits direct from Toytec after consulting with them on the fact that we wanted our trucks level, they didn't say a word that in their own FAQ (Which I didn't check because I talked to a customer service rep) it states not to go higher than 3" in the front. ie: It's not recommended to add a lift and a leveling kit.

After we added the leveling kits our control arms hit the springs which Toytec was aware of and didn't tell us about.

Recently when installing the new springs I added new upper arms to get rid of the stock arm smacking the spring.
At the same time I rebuilt the front end, new lower A arm bushings and new lower ball joints..
I then put new Cardone axles in because I had one torn boot and the axles have 160,000 miles on them.. While we are in there might as well do it all.

Now I get a minor vibration at 30mph, a nasty Vibration on the highway above 50mph and a scary vibration when accelerating hard.

I contacted the company who sold me the upper arms to get some info and they said that cardone axles aren't the same spec as stock axles and they won't install them in lifted Taco's or 4Runners.


Has anyone experienced this and if so what was your solution?

Thank you
Clayton

 

[matt922]

Did you get an alignment after installing all of those parts?

 

[Billynath1988]

Alignment and it sounds like you dont have enough caster which is a result of the lift. Also LCA bushings should be checked. OEM cv's are different then aftermarket cv's, however if your not offroading they should work without vibration.

Other causes of vibration is a sticky or lazy front caliper

 

[Mike07SE]

It's the non-OEM axles. I'd bet on it. Been down that road before. They simply do not allow enough articulation with lifted trucks.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[VertigoPerformance]

Thanks for the responses,,

All new Lower bushings
New aftermarket upper A arms to correct caster
New upper A arm bolts
New lower ball joints
New alignment cam and bolts
Callipers are good


Mike, Thank you, I am re-greasing and rebooting my old ones and will try that, Thank you

Clayton

 

[Mullett757]

It's the non-OEM axles. I'd bet on it. Been down that road before. They simply do not allow enough articulation with lifted trucks.

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I got the top level ones off of rock auto that of course isn't oem and have had no problems with my 3in lift. Id check the LCA bushings. I got vibration from 45-60 and those fixed it

 

[07V8]

If they’re not OEM axles, they’re junk. Toyota axles are the best of the best.

 

[VertigoPerformance]

I read somewhere that Napa were re-manufactured OEM Toyota CVD's...

I went into Napa today and checked the axles, the box lable says Remanufactured yet the shaft inside has a Cardone part number lasered onto it.

There is obviously something different about the OEM and aftermarket that aftermarket won't work in a lifted truck but to me "remanufactured" means they take the OEM part and rebuild it. I can't see how that can be using a Cardone shaft.

 

[Mike07SE]

I read somewhere that Napa were re-manufactured OEM Toyota CVD's...

I went into Napa today and checked the axles, the box lable says Remanufactured yet the shaft inside has a Cardone part number lasered onto it.

There is obviously something different about the OEM and aftermarket that aftermarket won't work in a lifted truck but to me "remanufactured" means they take the OEM part and rebuild it. I can't see how that can be using a Cardone shaft.

I went through multiple "remanufactured" and none of them were like the OEM Toyota ones. I'd have to scrounge up the photo, but basically the inner joint tulip that the axle tripod goes into is much narrower which leads to earlier bind. So to start off with a lift that will likely put you close to a bind scenario, any acceleration will cause enough droop to bind it up.

Edit - found the picture


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[Inv4drZm]

I went through multiple "remanufactured" and none of them were like the OEM Toyota ones. I'd have to scrounge up the photo, but basically the inner joint tulip that the axle tripod goes into is much narrower which leads to earlier bind. So to start off with a lift that will likely put you close to a bind scenario, any acceleration will cause enough droop to bind it up.

Edit - found the picture


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How about the Toyota branded reman CV's? They have a round inner joint like the crappy aftermarket ones. Toyota installed one on my passenger side a couple years ago before I knew any better, but haven't had any problems wheeling with it until I blew its boot.

 

[VertigoPerformance]

I went through multiple "remanufactured" and none of them were like the OEM Toyota ones. I'd have to scrounge up the photo, but basically the inner joint tulip that the axle tripod goes into is much narrower which leads to earlier bind. So to start off with a lift that will likely put you close to a bind scenario, any acceleration will cause enough droop to bind it up.


Thanks for the further info, I sure appreciate it, I am going to buy a Varsol tank and clean mine with NAPA biodegradable cleaner then reboot.
I can't find anyone in town who will let me use theirs so purchase I must..

 

[VertigoPerformance]

Those who have cleaned and rebooted, was there any concern with the heim joint bearings getting solvent in them?
I realized after I cleaned them that they were bearings, not just heim joints.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Those who have cleaned and rebooted, was there any concern with the heim joint bearings getting solvent in them?
I realized after I cleaned them that they were bearings, not just heim joints.

They'll be fine. Solvent isn't harmful to bearings and cleaning out the old grease before putting the new in is always good.

 

[VertigoPerformance]

They'll be fine. Solvent isn't harmful to bearings and cleaning out the old grease before putting the new in is always good.

Thanks.
What are your thoughts on blowing them out and letting the new grease work it’s way in or should I just leave them for a day or so?

 

[Inv4drZm]

Thanks.
What are your thoughts on blowing them out and letting the new grease work it’s way in or should I just leave them for a day or so?

Are you talking about the inner joint 'tripod' spherical bearings or the larger outer joints? Either way just make sure there is new grease packed inside each before assembling. The new grease will probably 'rearrange' itself over time just make sure there is grease packed in to begin with.

 

[VertigoPerformance]

The tripod heim joint bearings.
I’ll just blow them out then and do my best to get a little grease in them
The other ones are fine.

Thanks
C.

 

[VertigoPerformance]

How about the Toyota branded reman CV's? They have a round inner joint like the crappy aftermarket ones. Toyota installed one on my passenger side a couple years ago before I knew any better, but haven't had any problems wheeling with it until I blew its boot.

I didn’t read the boot instructions until I was ready to put them on.

Had I I would have known DO NOT wash axles with solvents.
Only wipe out any grease (which makes no sense because there is a shot ton of great in the cup that is inaccessible)

Luckily I have a week to let them sit and have most, if not all the solvent evaporate before greasing and booting.

 

[VertigoPerformance]

I want to thank those who helped me, I rebooted and installed my old axles.
Bad vibration gone!!
I get a very minor vibration at certain speeds still, I don't know if it's because I took the left axle apart before finding out I needed to mark the position of the tripod or whether it's something else.
A completely rebuilt front end with minor vibration..

Thanks so much
C.