Front end suspension and steering refresh...

I

ivopivo

Member
I'm searched and searched and definitely found a lot of good info. However, I haven't been able to figure out an exact answer to my question so figured I'd ask here.

Before I go on a 2600 mile round trip in a few months, I wanted to take care of some things on my 4runner. It's at 267k now and I have done all standard maintenance (cooling, filters, fluids, except brake fluid... will do that soon). Now it's time to do some of the normal wear/tear items and I'm starting with the Lower ball joints. Along with that, I purchased tie rods (inner and outer), but that's where I'm stuck. I'm one of those people who will rebuild a car VERY quickly without realizing it, and I'd like to avoid doing that this time around (at least for now).

I'd like to get advice on what else I should replace considering the age, mileage and trip I'm planning. I'm thinking of doing the sway bar bushings, end links and steering rack bushings. I may also do the steering rack guides and spring but that's not of high importance.

Aside from that, I don't have the money or the will to do a full suspension refresh (shocks, springs, etc.) but do plan to do it when I install bumpers and some other armor. For now only sliders and skid plates are going on before the trip, so an extra 150-170lbs only.

Any advice on what should/could be replaced, preferably for cheap, while doing some of the above mentioned stuff would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

PS... I haven't searched yet too much, but I'm undecided on poly or oem steering rack + sway bar bushings. I don't want to put extra stress on the car with poly and I don't want it to squeak, but considering it's a frame I don't see the stress being an issue.
 
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ivopivo said:


Unknown, but original owner had a good amount of records where it shows shocks, brakes, oil, antenna, etc. replaced. No mention of LBJs so I'm doing it.
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I'd probably suggest getting those then. I recently ordered mine (two weeks ago) from McGeorge Toyota. I looked and looked and this yielded me the best pricing. https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

For my 1997 SR5 you'll need:

1x 43340-39465 LBJ left side
1x 43330-39585 LBJ Right side
8x 90080-10066 Bolts (replace the bolts too)
 
Steering rack bushings are $20 and make a huge difference. Just remember, that replacing some of your components, can accelerate the wear on these new components if all parts aren't replaced at once.
 
rack and pinion?

I called my local dealership last week to get a quote for basically all the same things, I was told that on the 3rd gen you have to replace the rack and pinion to do the inner tie rods. Not sure if that was just them with their preventative maintenance things or it needs to be done. Anyone know??? I did see on rock auto if you by a OEM reman it comes with new inner tie rods.
 
Reinout said:
I'd probably suggest getting those then. I recently ordered mine (two weeks ago) from McGeorge Toyota. I looked and looked and this yielded me the best pricing. https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

For my 1997 SR5 you'll need:

1x 43340-39465 LBJ left side
1x 43330-39585 LBJ Right side
8x 90080-10066 Bolts (replace the bolts too)
Click to expand...

I think you missed it, but I said I'm starting with the LBJs and I already have those. Appreciate the info though. I got mine from toyota of dallas and paid $8/ea more than the McGeorge website (now bookmarked!).

absalom said:
Steering rack bushings are $20 and make a huge difference. Just remember, that replacing some of your components, can accelerate the wear on these new components if all parts aren't replaced at once.
Click to expand...

That was the main point of this post as I do plan to do poly bushings and I know those would eat away at other steering components. That's why I plan to do both tierods along with the bushings, but I'm not sure what else should be done while down there.

Sgtausy said:
I called my local dealership last week to get a quote for basically all the same things, I was told that on the 3rd gen you have to replace the rack and pinion to do the inner tie rods. Not sure if that was just them with their preventative maintenance things or it needs to be done. Anyone know??? I did see on rock auto if you by a OEM reman it comes with new inner tie rods.
Click to expand...

From the DIYs I've seen on the forums here there's no reason to replace the rack just to do inner tierods, but I've never done it so take that for what it's worth.
 
I just did this and in addition to the LBJ and steering rack bushings also did the upper ball joints and the upper and lower control arm bushings. I had tie rod ends, inner and outer, but after the work I did it feels so good I’m not sure if I’m going to do them right now or not.

A radiator may not be a bad idea if you are still on the original. Tranny flush is also worthwhile IMO as are plugs and wires.
 
Silver Supra said:
I just did this and in addition to the LBJ and steering rack bushings also did the upper ball joints and the upper and lower control arm bushings. I had tie rod ends, inner and outer, but after the work I did it feels so good I’m not sure if I’m going to do them right now or not.

A radiator may not be a bad idea if you are still on the original. Tranny flush is also worthwhile IMO as are plugs and wires.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Full cooling system and all fluids have been done. Plugs, wires, valve cover gaskets and some random stuff up there is on the to do list and parts are sitting in my garage.

For the upper BJs and control arm bushings, do you have the part #s by chance? I've been reading random threads on all these and am a bit confused as there seem to be so many damn bushings on this truck :).
 
if its the original radiator, time to go. I did a Denso added an external trans cooler, in line, and a magnafine filter.
yes you can do inner rods with out replacing the entire rack
I did energy suspension rack bushings, that will not put extra strain on anything else in my opinion. I don't know life expectancy of a rock auto reman rack, and they wont have Toyota tie rod ends I bet.
glad your doing the LBJ's with Toyota ones.
seems lower control arm bushings go out before anything in the upper control arms. that's what I have read, and mine with 185k needs the lowers
for me just trying to figure out if I want to do the upper and lowers with the upper ball joints and be done with it for another 185k :)
my springs, shocks, LBJ's and tie rod ends were done about 30k ago, no lift other than going with the 99 talls which gives a pinch more lift
 
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3bears said:
if its the original radiator, time to go. I did a Denso added an external trans cooler, in line, and a magnafine filter.
yes you can do inner rods with out replacing the entire rack
I did energy suspension rack bushings, that will not put extra strain on anything else in my opinion. I don't know life expectancy of a rock auto reman rack, and they wont have Toyota tie rod ends I bet.
glad your doing the LBJ's with Toyota ones.
seems lower control arm bushings go out before anything in the upper control arms. that's what I have read, and mine with 185k needs the lowers
for me just trying to figure out if I want to do the upper and lowers with the upper ball joints and be done with it for another 185k :)
my springs, shocks, LBJ's and tie rod ends were done about 30k ago, no lift other than going with the 99 talls which gives a pinch more lift
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. Sounds like the control arm bushings, upper balljoint and steering rack bushings will be on my list as well.

I'm all set on the cooling side. I also have a trans temp gauge trying to get some good measurements for stock system before I put in the trans cooler and magna filter to compare.
 
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