Help please, is this normal?

[whodat]

So we just did a roundtrip in the 4R from IA to TX to IA. Driving back from TX, I noticed some squeaky noise that's noticeable at around 10-20mph. Very subtle, but definitely noticeable. I went out to check if the shocks were leaking or if the boots ripped or anything that looked out of placed at the gas stations, didn't notice anything. Luckily made it home no problem. Went out to check again this morning and noticed this...
Passenger side

Driver side

It looks like the driver side is angled down more, and the passenger side is angled up and back more. Is that normal?

I also noticed the driver side's "rubber stopper" is not as flush as the passenger side's, therefore more exposure of the grease/lube, which is frozen at the moment due to the weather (edit: it is not frozen, just looked frozen, but I touched it and it's still greasy). Maybe that's because the driver side is angled down more? It just doesn't look normal to me.

Is that even messed with if you install a lift (toytec boss), LR UCA, tires rotated, balanced, and aligned? Dealer did all of that.

I read this post http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/160899-squeaky-noise-front-driver-side-shock.html and this one too http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/160899-squeaky-noise-front-driver-side-shock.html

Anything else I should check?

Thanks in advance guys/gals!

 

[Jeremy556]

The squeak is probably the UCA bushings. Mine start making noise around freezing and get louder the colder it gets. Does it squeak with suspension travel?

Tie rods look normal to me.

 

[Intruder]

The squeak is probably the UCA bushings.

Agreed. Best way to check is to have someone listen in the wheel well while you grab your roof rack and bounce up and down on the slider to make the suspension move. I think someone once suggested using a hose as a sort of stethoscope to pinpoint the source a bit better.

 

[NorthWest 4R]

No it should not be rubbing like that. Bent spindles maybe???

 

[eddiebx]

It looks like the driver side is angled down more, and the passenger side is angled up and back more. Is that normal?

I also noticed the driver side's "rubber stopper" is not as flush as the passenger side's, therefore more exposure of the grease/lube, which is frozen at the moment due to the weather (edit: it is not frozen, just looked frozen, but I touched it and it's still greasy). Maybe that's because the driver side is angled down more? It just doesn't look normal to me.

Is that even messed with if you install a lift (toytec boss), LR UCA, tires rotated, balanced, and aligned? Dealer did all of that.

I read this post http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/160899-squeaky-noise-front-driver-side-shock.html and this one too http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/160899-squeaky-noise-front-driver-side-shock.html

Anything else I should check?

Thanks in advance guys/gals!

Do you mean the angle of the tie rod joint is not parallel to the mounting point at the spindle? If so, I think that's normal...I noticed this on my truck right after an alignment and I manually straightened it out with a wrench; fast forward to the next day I look at it and it's at an angle again, I think it just ends up that way when you turn the wheel left and right enough times?

The outer tie rod should not have to be touched when installing your lift...at most they would just need to adjust it during the alignment, but that does not involve the ball joint end of it at all.

Not sure what else to tell you to check, but the tailgate strike is a pretty popular area for squeaks over bumps too. Maybe it's just really cold and some bushings are squeaking? I have an annoying squeak that comes and goes with the temperature too, for me I think it's either the sway bar bushings getting dirt inside or just really cold and stiff causing the squealing.

 

[whodat]

Thanks for the responses!

The squeak is probably the UCA bushings. Mine start making noise around freezing and get louder the colder it gets. Does it squeak with suspension travel?

Tie rods look normal to me.

The temp did drop driving from TX to IA, north TX and South OK had horrible snow removal! And it does squeak with suspension travel.

Agreed. Best way to check is to have someone listen in the wheel well while you grab your roof rack and bounce up and down on the slider to make the suspension move. I think someone once suggested using a hose as a sort of stethoscope to pinpoint the source a bit better.

I will have to try this when the temp gets nicer, -1 now, that's without the wind too. I know that's nothing for you Canadians though

No it should not be rubbing like that. Bent spindles maybe???

Nothing is really rubbing though, I think? Do you see something in the pic that I'm not?

Do you mean the angle of the tie rod joint is not parallel to the mounting point at the spindle? If so, I think that's normal...I noticed this on my truck right after an alignment and I manually straightened it out with a wrench; fast forward to the next day I look at it and it's at an angle again, I think it just ends up that way when you turn the wheel left and right enough times?

The outer tie rod should not have to be touched when installing your lift...at most they would just need to adjust it during the alignment, but that does not involve the ball joint end of it at all.

Not sure what else to tell you to check, but the tailgate strike is a pretty popular area for squeaks over bumps too. Maybe it's just really cold and some bushings are squeaking? I have an annoying squeak that comes and goes with the temperature too, for me I think it's either the sway bar bushings getting dirt inside or just really cold and stiff causing the squealing.

I think we're talking about the same angles.

You could see the bottom (circled in yellow), but on the other side, you can't. If we're talking about the same thing, then it sounds like it's normal :banana:

Funny thing is that I bought the LR UCAs over the other UCAs for it's lack of maintenance. Yes yes, I'm aware once you modify any truck, extra maintenance will be required Glad to know I'm not the only one with a LR UCA with squeaks. I'll pinpoint the squeak and go from there. What are you guys doing with the squeak? Lubing it with anything? Or just turning up the music? :guitar2:

 

[eddiebx]

Thanks for the responses!



The temp did drop driving from TX to IA, north TX and South OK had horrible snow removal! And it does squeak with suspension travel.



I will have to try this when the temp gets nicer, -1 now, that's without the wind too. I know that's nothing for you Canadians though



Nothing is really rubbing though, I think? Do you see something in the pic that I'm not?



I think we're talking about the same angles.
http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r584/whodatngu/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-02-05225449_zps85c62b3b.png
You could see the bottom (circled in yellow), but on the other side, you can't. If we're talking about the same thing, then it sounds like it's normal :banana:

Funny thing is that I bought the LR UCAs over the other UCAs for it's lack of maintenance. Yes yes, I'm aware once you modify any truck, extra maintenance will be required :) Glad to know I'm not the only one with a LR UCA with squeaks. I'll pinpoint the squeak and go from there. What are you guys doing with the squeak? Lubing it with anything? Or just turning up the music? :guitar2:[/QUOTE]

Yes sir, I think we're both talking about the same angle here...I am not positive but it seems to just move and tilt depending on how you turn the wheels. I wouldn't worry about that as being your culprit. However, if you are concerned perhaps just give a quick inspection to make sure the boots are not ripped and there is no substantial grease leaking out.

FWIW, my LR UCAs make zero noise all the way down to under 10 deg F (that's about as cold as it gets here, sorry). Granted they were installed only 2-3 months ago and I made sure to [U]thoroughly[/U] lube every single sleeve with the provided grease before installation. So only time will tell for me I guess. Did you coat the sleeves liberally with that black goop that comes in the box?

As far as attending to the squeak, unfortunately with the LRs you're going to have to pull off the UCAs to lubricate the sleeves because there are no zerks built-in :(

If you don't have the supplied grease anymore, you can either call them up and see if they will send you some, or maybe just use some moly fortified chassis grease?