shahsmerdis
New member
Hi everyone,
I got my 3rd gen 2002, v6, sr5 here with 115k miles. I'm trying to milk as many years as I can out of it but it seems like it is an up hill battle.
Recently changed the front rotors, rear shoes, hardware, bell crank, front struts , sway bar links and bushings, rear shocks, and rear diff breather. steering rack was replaced a few years ago including the lines. (All of this OEM) fluids have been changed nearly 10-15k miles ago. Power steering fluid still seems dirty, I think they used power steering fluid not ATF, anyway. Tires were balanced at costco and going to bring it in one more time this week to fully rule this out. The guy said he can check for play in the wheels. oh not to mention the CAT has 2-3 years on it with 15 k miles on it. replaced on toyota's dime (not sure how my dad pulled that one off).
I was told by 2 mechanics that ball joints were okay, this was about 6 months ago. I have a hard time believing this both upper and lower have a lot of black grease around it. I don't know if the boots are actually ripped. All the bushings seem like they have seen better days. The car sat for 6 months because muffler fell off and rear shock fell loose so it was undrivable. This caused a good layer of rust on the car, but I cleaned it off and fluid filmed the shit out of it.
I don't think it is tire related as its pretty harsh going down a unpaved road at 5-10 mph.
I'm not sure if this is a wheel bearing or high cross winds, but i kept hear a loud howling/honking noise when going on the high way 60+Mph. (only the last time i drove it on a windy day, happened 2-3 times)
on a flat newly paved road, the car feel great! as soon as i get on any road with the slightest imperfection, the car starts jitting, vibration Vibrations happen even when I am not pressing the gas, so I don't think its driveline related. The only thing I think it can be is faulty rear shocks, as I did notice some grease near the shocks, but I can't remember if it was fluid film or not. I am going to clean it up and see if it comes back. Do OEM shocks come with a warranty? I Was thinking of replacing the rear springs with moog (30 bucks a pair cant beat that).
Lastly there seems like there some steering pull occasionally. Maybe bushings?
While I do plan to drive the car into its grave, I much prefer not to have to fearing the car will come apart at any time. I don't want to start throwing parts at this but what do you guys suggest I do? Is it pretty much lift the car on jacks and start checking for loose components? My goal is if this is a simple fix, do it, do a trans cooler by pass, brake flush, then ride it until it dies.
While I know this is a lot of speculation, I thought I get it this post started and let you guys know 1 by 1 as I check them.. I've read 20-30 posts on 4runner harsh rides. Hopefully something will come about this.
Thanks for listening hopefully I didn't write too much =P
I got my 3rd gen 2002, v6, sr5 here with 115k miles. I'm trying to milk as many years as I can out of it but it seems like it is an up hill battle.
Recently changed the front rotors, rear shoes, hardware, bell crank, front struts , sway bar links and bushings, rear shocks, and rear diff breather. steering rack was replaced a few years ago including the lines. (All of this OEM) fluids have been changed nearly 10-15k miles ago. Power steering fluid still seems dirty, I think they used power steering fluid not ATF, anyway. Tires were balanced at costco and going to bring it in one more time this week to fully rule this out. The guy said he can check for play in the wheels. oh not to mention the CAT has 2-3 years on it with 15 k miles on it. replaced on toyota's dime (not sure how my dad pulled that one off).
I was told by 2 mechanics that ball joints were okay, this was about 6 months ago. I have a hard time believing this both upper and lower have a lot of black grease around it. I don't know if the boots are actually ripped. All the bushings seem like they have seen better days. The car sat for 6 months because muffler fell off and rear shock fell loose so it was undrivable. This caused a good layer of rust on the car, but I cleaned it off and fluid filmed the shit out of it.
I don't think it is tire related as its pretty harsh going down a unpaved road at 5-10 mph.
I'm not sure if this is a wheel bearing or high cross winds, but i kept hear a loud howling/honking noise when going on the high way 60+Mph. (only the last time i drove it on a windy day, happened 2-3 times)
on a flat newly paved road, the car feel great! as soon as i get on any road with the slightest imperfection, the car starts jitting, vibration Vibrations happen even when I am not pressing the gas, so I don't think its driveline related. The only thing I think it can be is faulty rear shocks, as I did notice some grease near the shocks, but I can't remember if it was fluid film or not. I am going to clean it up and see if it comes back. Do OEM shocks come with a warranty? I Was thinking of replacing the rear springs with moog (30 bucks a pair cant beat that).
Lastly there seems like there some steering pull occasionally. Maybe bushings?
While I do plan to drive the car into its grave, I much prefer not to have to fearing the car will come apart at any time. I don't want to start throwing parts at this but what do you guys suggest I do? Is it pretty much lift the car on jacks and start checking for loose components? My goal is if this is a simple fix, do it, do a trans cooler by pass, brake flush, then ride it until it dies.
While I know this is a lot of speculation, I thought I get it this post started and let you guys know 1 by 1 as I check them.. I've read 20-30 posts on 4runner harsh rides. Hopefully something will come about this.
Thanks for listening hopefully I didn't write too much =P
Last edited:
