Front Suspension @ 110K Miles - Do or dont?!

[Blitzkrieg]

Hey guys, want to field some opinions here. I've poked around a bit trying to get a feel on other posts but want to see if anybody has any firm opinions one way or another:

I am getting ready to do the struts and shocks on my 2002 4Runner w/ 110K miles. The truck has always been extremely well cared for and does not see much off road use.

I am also doing the Tundra brake conversion while I am at it.

If it were you doing all this would you go ahead and do the upper/lower ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, etc.. ?

I am not experiencing any vibration or noises or anything (outside of the stock rotors pulsating a bit) but my gut is telling me while I have everything else apart just go all the way.

What I am getting at is, if it's a babied, mainly street driven truck would you wait until 200K miles to go to the extent of rebuilding the front suspension components or do it while doing the struts and brakes?

I welcome opinions. Thanks guys!

 

[snivilous]

I would wait, I mean if you want to go ahead but I'd put the money towards other toys. And sway bars are over rated :bounce:

 

[Buckaroo]

I would suggest that you only replace them if they need replaced. Fair amount of work and $$ for parts plus would require alignment. Still have original ball joints, bushings, tie rods and steering rack at 200,000 miles and they are still good. But your situation could be different.....

Buckaroo

 

[cstraface]

Are you replacing all the aforementioned with stock components?

 

[Skidmarcx]

I'd at least do the lower ball joints since they're extremely easy to do and are the crutch if they decide to break... the other components can be replaced as needed

 

[Robb235]

I am also doing the Tundra brake conversion while I am at it.

Excellent choice. You won't regret it. Are you going with 199mm or 231mm Tundra brakes?

If it were you doing all this would you go ahead and do the upper/lower ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, etc.. ?

I would definitely do the lower ball joints. You can do some searches on the forum, but they are prone to failing, and when they do, the results are pretty catastraphic. There's been some debate about this, but the consensus is ot use only OEM Toyota lower ball joints, as aftermarket ones seem to be of inferior quality.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I plan on keeping the truck for pretty much ever so I think I'll just go ahead and replace it all while I am doing it.

I have seen a pic here on the site of a lower that failed (at low speed thankfully) and I agree, when it happens its not good. I could see how if it happened at speed it could easily cause a roll over.

Robb - my understanding is the 231mm rotors are the V8 Tundra version and will fit the 4Runner if you have the 16" wheels. If that is correct that is what I am going for - I want as much beef up there as I can get.

I have been looking at the Brembos, I have also been looking at the following:

Buy Disc Brakes Australia 4000 Series Rotor DBA47420XS at Advance Auto Parts

I will probably go with the Brembos however because the price difference is huge and not sure I can justify the extra $$$ when the Brembos get stellar reviews everywhere I look.

Hey, If Brembos are good enough for Ducati to put them on my 999R, they are good enough for my 4Runner.