Finally!

H

hamdog

New member
I finally purchased my first 4runner with the help of everyone here, thank you. I ended up purchasing a 2008 Sport V8 4x4 silve with 14,700 miles on it. I've only driven it for 200 miles and so far have only a few concerns. I love everything about it except for the seats and a couple clunking clicking issues in the rear when breaking and taking off. This thing rides like a truck, feels like a truck, I love it.

The only other thing I'm not used to yet is it wanders the road, especially if it is bumpy. I don't know if it is the alignment but it seems like I have to be paying close attention at all times. Besides alignment what could be the issue? It might be I just need to get use to driving it. Thanks!
 
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Congrats on your 4Runner purchase! That clunk you are feeling in the rear is a simple fix. The drive shaft expansion joint is in need of lubrication. Have your favorite mechanic do a lube job and the expansion joint will take approx. 6 zerks or so. There are a total of 6 different lube joints that should be hit. Should have them replace gear oil in all three of the gear boxs too. Suggest using a good grade of FULL Synthetic lubricant.
 
hamdog said:
I finally purchased my first 4runner with the help of everyone here, thank you. I ended up purchasing a 2008 Sport V8 4x4 silve with 14,700 miles on it. I've only driven it for 200 miles and so far have only a few concerns. I love everything about it except for the seats and a couple clunking clicking issues in the rear when breaking and taking off. This thing rides like a truck, feels like a truck, I love it.

The only other thing I'm not used to yet is it wanders the road, especially if it is bumpy. I don't know if it is the alignment but it seems like I have to be paying close attention at all times. Besides alignment what could be the issue? It might be I just need to get use to driving it. Thanks!
Click to expand...



hamdog, an 08 with 14k miles, lucky.....

I am a recent owner as well and have found that my truck "wanders" as well. I have found that it only happens on the freeways and because I have experience with commercial trucks, I attribute it to the fact that the 4Runner wheel base rides on the inside of the class 8 wheelbase that indents the asphalt.

I could be wrong, it could be a regional thing, but thats my story.
 
Burt said:
Congrats on your 4Runner purchase! That clunk you are feeling in the rear is a simple fix. The drive shaft expansion joint is in need of lubrication. Have your favorite mechanic do a lube job and the expansion joint will take approx. 6 zerks or so. There are a total of 6 different lube joints that should be hit. Should have them replace gear oil in all three of the gear boxs too. Suggest using a good grade of FULL Synthetic lubricant.
Click to expand...

I will have the dealership take a look. I do not know if they will replace the gear box oil but they should grease all the joints. I can easily do it but hey it came with a 1yr 12K bumper to bumper warranty along with 7yr 100Kmile transmission and drivetrain warranty.

I will have them check the alignment also. I find that the 4runner tracks any imperfection in the road. Also when I hit a bump it "wanders" more. I just have to stay more alert than I had to with other vehicles I have driven.
 
Positive caster helps wandering. Mine is at the limit of +4. Rock steady with ATs all the way to 117 and I drive better highway cars so I have a baseline. Unless it's windy it tracks like an arrow.
 
+1 for what ClockWork said. Caster is what you want, I believe the stock setting should be around +3. It is possible to have a perfectly aligned truck with zero caster so I would take it to get aligned and specifically request at least +3 caster setting.
 
Yup, gotta be the caster. i got my truck aligned yesterday and my caster is +1. I never experienced any wandering. It goes straight line and low/high speeds with hands off the steering wheel.

BTW, Welcome to the T4R family!
 
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