97 4runner Front in Sway NEEDS HELPPPP

[RichBennett]

I just bought and fixed a 97 4runner limited that had a bent rear end. After replacing the rear end and getting on the road i relised any speed over 60mph the front end (upon any change in road level or direction) the vehicles front end sways bad left to right. Iv replaced one bad upper tie rod on the passenger side and inspected everything else. (the car pulled to the right before changing the upper) no current pull in either direction. :bump2:

 

[the great him]

check the sway bar end links, make sure they are still there and in good condition, and you might want to look at replacing springs and struts also.

 

[RichBennett]

the springs and shocks are still very stiff and settle quickly, but the sway bar ends where the ball joints connect to the frame are all firm and have no play pluse the bushings on the sway bar are still intact

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Rich, we need a little better description. There is not upper tie rod. There are inner & outer tie rod ends. I'm guessing your replaced an outer. The sway bar end links have nothing to do with the ball joints either.

Is the truck actually swaying? Or is there front end vibration?

If its swaying, I would tend to think we may need to revisit that bent rear end and the geometry after replacing it. Is the truck lifted or stock height? 4WD or RWD?

 

[RichBennett]

just the front end sways at speed. No vibration RWD and yes outer tie rod.
the rear axel tube on the old was bent. iv had the rear checked and was told it is true (rear end was purchased from salvage and rebuilt)

 

[the great him]

how old are the front springs and struts? how are the bushings on the sway bars? does the steeringrack itself leak, does your truck "jitter" or jump around over bumps? the front of my truck sways quite a bit when im driving, i have two blown front struts, and a leaking and lose steering rack... its kinda sketchy to drive if your not used to it or not expecting it(i just got the last of my parts today to fix this). have you had the whole truck aligned? i bet you could use at least all new sway bar endlinks and bushings as well as an alignment and possibly even some new front struts (if they are the original -that puts them at 16yo, well outside of their life expectancy)

 

[the great him]

when used correctly the english language is such a wonderful form of communication :hatsoff:

 

[RichBennett]

the front end sway is the worst over bumps at about 60mph the bushings all seam fine the steeringrack may be leaking but there is a slight oil leak from the valve cover so its hard to tell and all the ends look fine as far as i can tell. (no slack, not dry)

 

[RichBennett]

the struts are still firm the truck sat for quite some time.

 

[the great him]

well if the bushings are all fine and the struts are all perfect springs are great and the rear axle is new then your runner is in tip top shape it sounds like and you just dont like the way it drives i dont know what to tell ya:llama:

 

[nicolasballia]

Are your end links tight? I also had thIs problem (or have) and my most recent step was replacing steering rack bushings. I have yet to go on the highway to test but the steering already feels tighter. If not i might have.to check the control arms in the rear

 

[War Sprout]

Have you tried an alignment? What about rebalancing the wheels?