Home for winter- Doin maintience

[twitchee2]

So I am home for winter so and I have time do give to my neglected 4runner. Some of the thing i want to do are mods but most are needed IMO.
Heres my plan
plugs+ wires
lower ball joints (177k)

Here is what might make the list
Front sway bar links on the rear to compensate for lift
Inner and outer tie rods

I really am curious about this tie rods. I dont know how to check them or replace them. Are there any write ups somewhere or can someone explain to me how to do it? Do i even need to do it?

I got a quote from the cheapest local dealer for prices ( i like OEM parts better then aftermarket) and it came out to over a grand which i cant spend that kind of money but i would like to do what i need to do.

 

[rjaudi]

The tie rods are super easy to do. I bought a tool online for 60 I believe that is a giant socket. It goes over the inner tie rod and then you simply turn with a ratchet. I heard you can use a pipe wrench, but I didnt want to chance the tie rod not coming off as this is my DD. The outer tie rod is removed with a press. I bought a simple one for around 20 dollars from the place I got the inner tie rod tool. My dealer wanted 700 dollars to do one side I laughed because it took me maybe an hour.

 

[twitchee2]

Well thats good to know to hear how easy it is, Now how do i check to see if they need to be replaced?

 

[danjko888]

dont forget the fuel filter. i just did mines last week and the filter was pouring out brown stuff. mines looked original and had 150k on it. was fairly simple and took like 10 minutes. might be a little longer if you have some rust.

 

[004Gunner]

Well thats good to know to hear how easy it is, Now how do i check to see if they need to be replaced?

Have you had an alignment recently? Tie rods are very heavy duty for a reason and usually are replaced only when they freeze up. Even then you can put some penetrating oil and heat on them to get them to turn. Unless a shop insists that they can't do an alignment without replacing your tie rods, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[animal]

There will be some play in the steering wheel. Also you can lift you car up a little bit and grab your wheel at 10 and 5 and shake back and forth. If there is play, you'll feel it. I'd say just replace the Inner TRE's your self then get an alignment.

Go with OEM TRE's. They are much stronger than Aftermarket TRE's.

 

[JohnsD90]

I would just suggest on the ball joints or tie rods, that if there not broken, don't replace them, don't need to dive into that job, and break something else in the process...

 

[CitadelBlue]

dont forget the fuel filter. i just did mines last week and the filter was pouring out brown stuff. mines looked original and had 150k on it. was fairly simple and took like 10 minutes. might be a little longer if you have some rust.

Humm ... I assume the filter is external located in the fuel line between the engine and fuel tank ... maybe under the driver?

 

[downpour11]

I would just suggest on the ball joints or tie rods, that if there not broken, don't replace them, don't need to dive into that job, and break something else in the process...

If you have to replace either the tie rods or the ball joints, you might as well just do em both at the same time.

 

[twitchee2]

so you guys are staying if im gonna do it, do it all. that means i need to start saving up. I want to the LBJ because of the reports that have come up about the failures + i read brain2sun (i think) wrote something somewhere about it tightened up the steering quite a lot.

 

[rjaudi]

My inner tie rods boot got loose. This caused water to get in. With the car in the air I noticed a fair amount of play in the tie rod. If you are in a non rust belt area you might be able to just do the outers. I know my outer was rusted solid onto the inner tie rod, I cut them off. If you are doing the LBJ you have to press out the outer tie rod so that is why you should do them at the same time if you are debating. A inner is 120 new online at a Toyota shop and the outer is only 50. Make sure you get the lock nut when you buy I forgot to.

 

[JohnsD90]

If you have to replace either the tie rods or the ball joints, you might as well just do em both at the same time.

Yes, but if neither are broken, dont touch them.

 

[twitchee2]

Yes, but if neither are broken, dont touch them.

I need to check them for play.

Heres what happens if you let them break.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/67793-you-should-replace-your-ball-joints.html

 

[downpour11]

I need to check them for play.

Heres what happens if you let them break.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/67793-you-should-replace-your-ball-joints.html

Yeah when you replace BJ's it will tighten up the steering. For me, I'm definitely replacing a lot of front suspension components for safety sake. Plus there is a lot of stress on my BJ's and CV's.

I bought OEM BJs uppers and lowers for 300 bucks from the dealership..
Plus TREs... another 250+ yet to be bought
Plus CV's... another 200+ yet to be bought
I hate looking at the numbers....

Not sure if your ball joints have ever been replaced but IMO you might as well replace them if you are gonna take everything off to get to the TREs.

Twitchee I just noticed your from chico...as in cali right? that's where I was born and I was just up there for thanksgiving. I haven't been there in years. My whole family lives up there and we grow rice on the outskirts off 7 mile lane.

 

[twitchee2]

Yeah when you replace BJ's it will tighten up the steering. For me, I'm definitely replacing a lot of front suspension components for safety sake. Plus there is a lot of stress on my BJ's and CV's.

I bought OEM BJs uppers and lowers for 300 bucks from the dealership..
Plus TREs... another 250+ yet to be bought
Plus CV's... another 200+ yet to be bought
I hate looking at the numbers....

Not sure if your ball joints have ever been replaced but IMO you might as well replace them if you are gonna take everything off to get to the TREs.

Twitchee I just noticed your from chico...as in cali right? that's where I was born and I was just up there for thanksgiving. I haven't been there in years. My whole family lives up there and we grow rice on the outskirts off 7 mile lane.

Yea i know mine were replaced about 100k ago from a recall. I have the records for it. I just put it up in the air shook stuff around, I didnt find anything out of the ordinary so i think im just gonna sit tight for now ans start saving for it.

Yes i go to school up at chico state. right in your neck of the woods!!

 

[downpour11]

Yea i know mine were replaced about 100k ago from a recall. I have the records for it. I just put it up in the air shook stuff around, I didnt find anything out of the ordinary so i think im just gonna sit tight for now ans start saving for it.

Yes i go to school up at chico state. right in your neck of the woods!!

yeah you should be fine.... just save up for em. Otherwise I wouldn't stress it with the mild lift and 265's you're running... though I have no idea how you abuse your 4runner haha We'll let you decide if any of those things need to be replaced.

chico state, sweet, a few of my family members went there. the others went to U of A.
chico is real nice, I especially love bidwell park. My parents live right there off 5th about 2 miles south of downtown in those walnut orchards. Man it was pretty cold up there thanksgiving. Cool town though, brings back a lot of memories.