Help! my 4runner is a death trap

[BlackWorksInc]

Some of you who were saying maybe the locker. I played with the diff lock button inside this winter in the snow. The one that makes it "true 4x4". It didn't really change anything. Do you guys think that maybe the button goes on/off but that it is stuck back there causing full time posi trac? even in 2wd. It kinda drives like it's full posi! In both 4x4 & 2wd. Could the rear end have held up this long? would that explain the tire wear?

You're talking about the Center Differential Lock (CDL,) which should not be a factor in this issue; UNLESS you're having the front end binding/making noises on turns as well. The CDL lives in the Torsen T3 Differential in the TransferCase and splits power 50/50 front and rear, IF it was partially locking up or fully locking up, you'd know. It'd feel like driving a Domestic 4x4 Truck with that horrid, grinding/binding turning feeling like you get in GM/Ford/Chrycrap 4WDs.

I'm thinking there's an issue with the rear axle, it's possible the shocks may be worn out; but you should have seen some signs of cupping if that were true with how heavy the 4Runner is. I'd get the vehicle on a lift and see how the rear axle turns in Neutral, then disable the ABS and run it on the rack a bit while holding one wheel and the the other and listen for noises/abnormal operation.

 

[ghs215]

Here is what I would do...

Jack the rear end up under the dif so both rear tires are off the ground.

1) Turn one wheel by hand and see what the other wheel does.

Does it turn the same direction or opposite or nothing?

2) Mark both tires top dead center. On one side, turn the wheel 1 rev, check the other and see is the marks are the same location.

Do it again 20 revs, check marks.


Do this and report back...

 

[Hapeacres]

I have an 04 V8 and my rear tires wear on the outside as well. I had it looked by a tire shop and my body shop as well and they cannot find anything wrong. Nothing wrong with the front but the rear tires wear fast on outside.

 

[ThorInc]

I have an 04 V8 and my rear tires wear on the outside as well. I had it looked by a tire shop and my body shop as well and they cannot find anything wrong. Nothing wrong with the front but the rear tires wear fast on outside.

Try running a few more pounds in them.....

 

[widowmaker223]

More news!!!!!

I have been down for a few days(hurt my back) & haven't been able to get my 4runner jacked up to mark & spin the tires like you guys asked me to. I was however able to do something while I am laying here all gimped up. I used my internet bloodhound skills to find post's from the previous owner on this site. I was definitely SUCKERED! I still have his avatar pic in my phone because it was one of his 4 sale pictures on craigslist. Once you post on the internet it STAYS there!
This is MY 4runner & "Ukraine Train" is the guy I purchased the 4runner from. These post's were from 2-3 months before he pawned this vehicle off & tried to kill me! I literally almost hydroplaned into an oncoming tractor trailer the first time. Not sure if there is anything I can legally do about buying a used lemon but I will look into that also. I would love for him to pay to fix it like he should have done the first time.
He must have flipped those Falken tires around on the rim & done some rotating because they looked to be worn (for the most part) evenly when I purchased it. I would have noticed if it were obvious that they worn to the outside only, like my coopers are now. I even had a mechanic friend come with me to check it out when I bough it! I was trying to be a smart buyer!
At first I thought it was the tires also that was causing loss of traction as you will read in his post. I removed the Falken tires (he talks about) & (posted pics of) & replaced them with cooper at3's.

I hope this will at least help you guy's more accurately diagnose my problem for now. Sorry about the "center differential lock" mix up also. I misunderstood what it does & what the difference is between that and a rear end "locker". I have someone more mechanically inclined helping me to translate information to you guys now though.
I am not sure If this guys problem (now mine I guess) was ever actually diagnosed or if he pawned it off on me once he figured out what the problem was going to cost to fix! At least I have some proof that it is sliding around like a rocket sled on rails! You guy's were beginning to think I was crazy weren't you?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/170755-whats-causing-my-rear-tire-wear.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/158949-terrible-snow.html


REMINDER: my alignment guy (25yrs) said everything was square! He said he measured everything & that it was aligned when I brought it in there for the 4wd/thrust/center alignment. He also said my tires are running straight up & down

 

[gm350reratliff]

Post up your alignment printout to compare with the one in the threads you mentioned.

When I look at the alignment printout that was in the previous owners thread, the rear axle is definitely not square. I'm surprised your alignment guy doesn't see this. Based on the tire wear and the printout I'd guess that the rear axle is bent and there is a good chance one or more control arms are bent as well.

 

[morphious]

I know your wear is on the outside edge, but I found this post on Tacomaworld with inside wear issues. Maybe this will help, good luck!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-tires-are-wearing-unevenly.245106/

 

[nevada]

I remember the original thread.

if the toe is out on the rear, then the housing is bent.

the fix should be too expensive, or difficult. just swap housings.

 

[widowmaker223]

I didn't even think about asking for my alignment printout when I left the alignment shop! I was busy trying to explain to him how messed up this thing is, while he was telling me that it's measuring all square & I didn't even think about it.